Efficient Operation of Substitute Childcare Teacher System in Daycare Centers? ... Ministry of Health and Welfare Holds Expert Meeting

[Asia Economy Reporter Byeon Seon-jin] The Ministry of Health and Welfare and the Korea Childcare Promotion Institute held an expert roundtable on the 29th under the theme of efficient operation plans for substitute, assistant, and extended childcare teacher systems in daycare centers, in line with the national agenda of 'Yubo Tonghap (integration of early childhood education and childcare)'.

The Ministry of Health and Welfare is collecting field opinions by holding five expert roundtables to improve the training and management system of childcare teachers. Previously, roundtables were held regarding the overall childcare teacher system, qualification and training systems, and childcare teachers for children with disabilities.

At the final expert relay roundtable held that day, institutional improvement measures related to substitute, assistant, and extended childcare teachers were discussed. Yoo Hae-mi, Senior Research Fellow at the Data Research Center of the Korea Institute of Child Care and Education, presented on efficient operation plans for substitute, assistant, and extended childcare teachers. Yoo Bo-young, Head of Childcare Policy Division at the Ministry of Health and Welfare, Kim Hye-young, Head of Childcare Business Team at Seoul City Hall, Jeong Myung-soo, Head of Childcare Support Team at Chungbuk Provincial Office, and daycare center directors participated in the discussion.

Bae Geum-ju, Director of Childcare Policy at the Ministry of Health and Welfare, stated, "We will review the opinions collected from various sectors through the five roundtables to ensure they are reflected in childcare policies, and devise various measures to ultimately enhance the quality of childcare services by strengthening the professionalism of childcare teachers and improving the efficiency of workforce management." Na Seong-woong, President of the Korea Childcare Promotion Institute, said, "The diverse opinions presented regarding the education and operational status of childcare teachers are important factors and challenges in improving childcare services at daycare centers. Based on the discussions so far, we will strive to derive operational plans that can be felt by the childcare field."