Opening of Our Neighborhood Care Center Branch 5 in Sinwol-dong, Yangcheon-gu

Located on the 4th floor of Sinwol Comprehensive Social Welfare Center in Sinwol 2-dong, covering an area of 318㎡, opening ceremony held on March 2

Dream Growth Playground, basketball and futsal courts, program rooms, multipurpose rooms, and other spaces optimized for elementary school childcare provided

Available to children aged 6 to 12 who need care regardless of parental income, at a monthly fee of 50,000 KRW

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] Yangcheon-gu (Mayor Lee Gi-jae) announced that it will open the 5th branch of the “Our Neighborhood Care Center Yangcheon” on March 2 to reduce the childcare burden on dual-income families and eliminate blind spots in elementary school childcare.

Our Neighborhood Care Center is a childcare space that elementary school students can use during the gap time after school before returning home. It is available to any child aged 6 to 12 who needs care regardless of parental income level, receiving great support from dual-income families.

In Yangcheon-gu, since the first Our Neighborhood Care Center Yangcheon 1st branch opened in September 2019 (at Sinjeong-ro 11-gil 20), there are currently four centers in operation: the 2nd branch opened in January 2021 (Mokdongjungangbon-ro 86), the 3rd branch (Sinwol-dong 595-21), and the 4th branch established in April last year (Deungchon-ro 208). A total of 112 children use these centers.

The newly opened “Our Neighborhood Care Center Yangcheon 5th branch (hereafter ‘the Center’)” was established on the 4th floor of Sinwol Comprehensive Social Welfare Center, covering 318㎡ (96 pyeong). The interior facilities include ▲multipurpose space ▲Dream Growth Playground ▲Health Growth Zone (basketball, futsal courts) ▲Thought Growth Zone (program rooms), designed with bright and vibrant colors and an open atmosphere to satisfy children’s five senses and enhance sensitivity.

The Center is staffed by four childcare teachers including the center director and one cook. It provides customized care services ranging from safe childcare to meal and snack provision through special programs such as learning support, reading, jump rope, music, art, and physical education.

Operating hours are from 1 PM to 8 PM during school terms, from 8 AM to 8 PM during vacations, and from 9 AM to 1 PM on Saturdays. Additionally, depending on the COVID-19 situation, the Center plans to operate flexibly by adjusting hours to support children’s remote learning when elementary schools switch to remote classes.

The usage fee is 50,000 KRW per month, including meals, snacks, and program fees, and 2,500 KRW per day for temporary care. Detailed information such as reservation applications can be found on the ‘Our Neighborhood Care Portal.’

Lee Gi-jae, Mayor of Yangcheon-gu, said, “We will focus on both quantitative expansion and qualitative improvement of childcare facilities that parents can trust,” adding, “We will spare no support to make Yangcheon-gu a happy city where it is good to have and raise children.”

Gangnam-gu Enhances Quality of Childcare Services

Budget of 7.8 billion KRW allocated, 50-100% of user fees supported by district funds

More than 50 additional childcare workers to be recruited this year, with meal allowances provided to all caregivers to improve working conditions

Gangnam-gu (Mayor Jo Seong-myeong) has allocated a budget of 7.8 billion KRW for childcare services this year and will support 50-100% of user fees from district funds. Additionally, the number of childcare workers will be increased by recruiting more than 50 new workers this year, and working conditions will be improved by refining the criteria for meal allowance payments so that all caregivers receive them.

Childcare services involve professional personnel visiting homes to care for children under 12 years old in families experiencing childcare gaps due to dual-income, single-parent, multiple-child families, illness, or academic reasons. The government, Seoul city, and Gangnam-gu allocate budgets to subsidize usage fees, allowing families to use the service at a low cost. Last year, 3,622 people in Gangnam-gu used this service.

Childcare Services Available as Full-Day and Hourly Options

Childcare services include full-day infant care, hourly care (basic and comprehensive types), and care for children with infectious diseases. ▲‘Full-day infant care’ is for infants aged 3 months to 36 months and can be used for at least 3 hours per session. The fee is 11,080 KRW per hour. ▲‘Hourly care’ is for children aged 3 months to 12 years and can be used for at least 2 hours per session; the basic type costs 11,080 KRW per hour, and the comprehensive type costs 14,400 KRW per hour. ▲‘Care for children with infectious diseases’ is for children under 12 attending daycare who contract contagious diseases and require unavoidable home care; it can be used for at least 2 hours per session at a fee of 13,290 KRW. Full-day care can be used between 80 and 200 hours per month, and hourly care up to 960 hours per year.

District Supports 50-100% of User Fees

Fee support is classified by income level into categories ‘A’ (75% or less), ‘B’ (120% or less), ‘C’ (150% or less), and ‘D’ (above 150%). Those with income at or below 150% (6,653,000 KRW for a family of three) can receive government subsidies covering 15-85% of fees. Gangnam-gu additionally supports 50-100% of the user’s share. For example, for category ‘A,’ the hourly fee of 11,080 KRW is subsidized 85% (9,418 KRW) by the government, and Gangnam-gu covers the remaining amount fully, resulting in no actual user fee. With this additional support, category ‘B’ users pay only 433 KRW, and category ‘C’ users pay 1,883 KRW. Those above 150% income are not eligible for government subsidies but receive 50% support from Gangnam-gu, allowing affordable service use.

238 Childcare Professionals Active... More than 50 New Hires This Year

The district plans to increase childcare workers and improve working conditions to secure high-quality personnel. Currently, 238 caregivers are active, with more than 50 new hires planned this year. Applicants must complete childcare training and hold relevant certifications such as childcare teacher licenses. Before hiring, candidates undergo 80 hours of theoretical education and 20 hours of practical training to ensure safe childcare. To improve working conditions, meal allowance payment criteria have been refined this year so that all caregivers receive between 50,000 and 100,000 KRW.

Jo Seong-myeong, Mayor of Gangnam-gu, said, “We will provide high-quality childcare services to support the parenting needs of various families, including dual-income households,” adding, “The community will work together to create a ‘Gangnam that is good for raising children.’”