Two existing childcare care facilities in Gangdong-gu remodeled and converted into Seoul-type Kids Cafes
Providing one-stop childcare services responsible for safety, fun, care, and learning
Goal to establish a total of 19 locations, one per neighborhood, by 2026
On the 28th, two Seoul-type Kids Cafes opened in Gangdong-gu.
Gangdong-gu (Mayor Lee Soo-hee) announced on the 29th that two existing childcare complex facilities, ‘I Mom Gangdong’ (Godeok Branch and Amsa Market Branch), have been remodeled and newly reopened as ‘Seoul-type Kids Cafes.’
The Seoul-type Kids Cafe is a public indoor playground promoted by Seoul City as part of the ‘Making Seoul a Happy City for Moms and Dads Project.’ It provides a space where young children can play safely and enjoyably regardless of external environmental factors such as weather or fine dust. In addition, childcare professionals take responsibility for care and learning on behalf of guardians, supporting a one-stop childcare service.
The two newly opened Seoul-type Kids Cafes in Gangdong-gu were converted by adding digital experiential play equipment to some existing childcare facilities installed by region. Gangdong-gu aims to establish a total of 19 Kids Cafes, one per neighborhood, by 2026.
The target users are infants and toddlers under the age of five and their caregivers. Operating hours remain the same as before, from Tuesday to Saturday, with three sessions per day (90 minutes each). Reservations can be made online through the ‘Seoul Our Neighborhood Care Portal Site’ on the 1st and 16th of each month at 9 a.m., allowing reservations up to 15 days in advance from the reservation date.
The ‘Seoul-type Kids Cafe’ Godeok 2-dong Branch (353 Godeok-ro, 2nd floor) features various play facilities such as ▲Creative Playground (market, kitchen, play mobile) ▲Net Playground ▲Smart Playground (Magic Window, Spoon Party, Motion Flow) ▲Mind Playground (reading and resting). The Amsa 1-dong Branch (15 Olympic-ro 98-gil, 3rd floor) also offers spaces for diverse physical activities and digital experiences, including ▲Smart Imagination Playground ▲Play Gym and Pretend Play ▲Electric Cars and Tracks ▲Hut ▲Photo Zone using large blocks, expected to foster children’s imagination and creativity.
Lee Soo-hee, Mayor of Gangdong-gu, said, “As large-scale development projects and housing renovations progress, the influx of families with young children is rapidly increasing. We will build childcare infrastructure that parents can trust and rely on when needed to meet these changes.” He added, “We plan to expand the installation of Seoul-type Kids Cafes by region to create a childcare-friendly environment conveniently accessible near homes.”
The two Seoul-type Kids Cafes in Gangdong-gu are currently free to use but are expected to switch to paid services through future ordinance revisions. For more details, please contact the Childcare Support Division, Children’s Hall Team at Gangdong-gu Office.
Geumcheon-gu Opens 4th Our Neighborhood Care Center
Operating from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. during vacations, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. during semesters
Both regular and temporary care available, applications through ‘Our Neighborhood Care Portal’
Geumcheon-gu (Mayor Yoo Sung-hoon) held an opening ceremony for the 4th Our Neighborhood Care Center on the 28th.
Our Neighborhood Care Centers are rest, leisure, and play spaces available to children aged 6 to 12, designed to fill the care gap for elementary school students after school.
The 4th center, opened in January this year, is located in Siheung 1-dong (164 Siheung-daero, Room 201), a 5-minute walk from Baeksan Elementary School. Notably, residents participating in job projects at the Geumcheon Senior Club and Geumcheon 50 Plus Center provide a service escorting children from Baeksan and Munbaek Elementary Schools to the center, ensuring safe and convenient access after school.
Operating hours are from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. during vacations and from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. during semesters, with flexible adjustments as needed.
Both regular and temporary care are available. The usage fee is 50,000 KRW per month (2,500 KRW per session for temporary care). Residents wishing to use the service can apply through the Our Neighborhood Care Portal.
Yoo Sung-hoon, Mayor of Geumcheon-gu, said, “Working parents can reduce childcare burdens, and children can experience diverse and creative programs at the Care Center to grow healthily.” He added, “We will continue to expand customized care policies to make Geumcheon-gu a place where parents can raise their children with peace of mind.”
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