Dongjak Kids Cafe Open on Sundays

Dongjak Kids Cafe Operation Diversification... A Happy Dongjak-gu for Children and Parents

Extended Operation Until Sunday, Book and Toy Rental Services, etc.

Dongjak-gu (Mayor Park Ilha) announced on the 18th that it will diversify the operation of the indoor children's playground 'Dongjak Kids Cafe' by extending its operation until Sunday and providing book and toy rental services.

'Dongjak Kids Cafe' is a space where children can freely play away from environmental constraints such as fine dust and yellow dust at an affordable price, with 11 locations currently in operation.

First, the operating days, which were previously from Tuesday to Saturday, will be extended to Sunday. Currently, two locations (Sangdo 2-dong branch, Heukseok-dong 2nd branch) are being piloted, and the number of locations will be expanded depending on the results of the operation.

Park Il-ha, mayor of Dongjak-gu, is playing with children at the Sangdo 3-dong Dongjak Kids Cafe.

Also, starting this year, all kids cafes will rent books and toys for infants and young children to provide user-centered services.

From June, play instructors will be assigned to operate various play programs.

The district plans to establish 'Dongjak Kids Cafe' in all neighborhoods by 2026 and improve aging facilities through remodeling.

Starting with the Noryangjin 2-dong branch in December, the cafes will be sequentially established prioritizing neighborhoods without indoor playgrounds. Additionally, the Daebang-dong branch, opened in 2006, will reopen in July after environmental improvement construction is completed.

Park Ilha, Mayor of Dongjak-gu, said, "We will implement various policies to provide the highest level of infant care services in the autonomous district," adding, "We will do our best to create a childcare environment where children are happy and parents feel at ease."

Songpa-gu to Fully Operate ‘Native English Classroom’ in Daycare Centers and Kindergartens from April

About 2,600 Children Aged 7 and Under Receive Weekly Classes from Native Speakers

Reducing Private Education Costs? Enhancing Public Education Competitiveness? Contributing to Closing the Education Gap

Songpa-gu (Mayor Seo Gang-seok) announced that starting April 17, it will fully operate the Seoul metropolitan area's first 'Native English Classroom' targeting daycare centers and kindergartens in the district.

Currently, Songpa-gu has about 67,000 students, the largest number among Seoul's autonomous districts, with high interest and enthusiasm for education. Especially, English education for children aged 7 and under (5 years old) before school mostly depends on private education.

Accordingly, Songpa-gu operates the 'Native English Classroom' for the first time in Seoul to provide equal educational opportunities and reduce the burden of private education costs. The target includes 78 classes in 92 groups for 5-year-olds at public and private daycare centers, and 72 classes for 5-year-olds at 39 public and private kindergartens.

Seo Gang-seok, Mayor of Songpa-gu, explained, "We aim to implement practical educational policies so that children can receive English education in public education without the burden of sending them to English kindergartens."

The 'Songpa-gu Native English Classroom' contracts with native English education institutions and dispatches native teachers to each institution. From April to December 2023, it supports weekly native English classes (30 minutes for daycare centers, 1 hour for kindergartens) for nine months. From next year, the operation will be gradually expanded.

Native instructors and Korean assistant instructors visit institutions in pairs. The native instructor conducts classes entirely in English conversation, while the Korean assistant helps facilitate smooth progress. Classes include basic English learning and various play-based activities such as songs, rhythmic movements, and games to encourage English speaking and foster children's interest and motivation in English.

Additionally, cultural and experiential activities help children become familiar with English and English-speaking cultures in a fun way. Smart books using smartphones or PCs are provided to support English learning at home beyond native classes.

Furthermore, online performance presentations and open classes will be held to encourage parental participation, and regular feedback and satisfaction surveys on class progress will be conducted to provide high-quality English public childcare services.

This native English classroom project is directly implemented by Songpa-gu, so parents bear no additional educational costs. Therefore, the district expects it to contribute not only to reducing parents' private English education expenses but also to strengthening public education competitiveness and closing the English education gap.

Seo Gang-seok, Mayor of Songpa-gu, said, "Through the 'Songpa-gu Native English Classroom,' we hope children meet foreigners directly, improve their understanding of foreign cultures, and develop global competencies," adding, "We will continue to provide equal educational opportunities for everyone and implement Songpa-gu's unique educational policies that meet parents' needs, building Songpa as a city of educational advancement."

Seongdong-gu to Hold ‘Living Close to You Day’ Event on the 20th... Expanded to Three Times a Year Starting This Year

The 5th Seongdong Living Close to You Day Event to be Held at Wangsimni Square from 11 a.m. on the 20th

Four Sections with 16 Booths Including Knife Sharpening, Umbrella and Bicycle Repairs, Health Services, Experience Programs, and Event Yard

Seongdong-gu (Mayor Jung Won-oh) announced that it will hold the '5th Seongdong Living Close to You Day' event at Wangsimni Square from 11 a.m. on the 20th.

Since 2019, Seongdong-gu has held the 'Living Close to You Day' event to share the results of living-close projects promoted by the district through communication and collaboration with residents. Despite COVID-19, the event has continued and is now in its fifth year. It was planned to provide various living-close services helpful to residents' daily lives and create a communication space through programs that families can enjoy together. Notably, Seongdong-gu plans to expand the event from once a year to three times a year starting this year.

The 5th Living Close to You Day event, held at the south side of Wangsimni Square at 11 a.m. on the 20th, will operate with four sections and 16 booths: ▲Living Close Repair Section ▲Health Section ▲Experience Section ▲Event Section.

Last September, at the '4th Seongdong Community Day' event, Jung Won-oh, the Mayor of Seongdong-gu (second from the left in the photo), is watching a knife sharpening demonstration.

In the Living Close Repair Section, services such as knife sharpening, umbrella repair, and bicycle repair will be provided. In the Health Section, consultations on mental health, metabolic syndrome, hypertension, diabetes, smoking cessation, and alcohol moderation will be offered.

The Experience Section includes programs where residents can directly participate, such as eco-friendly EM experiences, making natural soap using EM solution, DIY leather craft experiences, making natural air fresheners, and giant flower experiences.

Finally, the Event Section will feature busking performances to enjoy during waiting times and experience booths to help seniors easily use kiosks. All programs are available on a first-come, first-served basis at each booth.

Jung Won-oh, Mayor of Seongdong-gu, said, "In line with the purpose of the 'Seongdong Living Close to You Day,' which provides a communication space with living-close services, we plan to increase the number of events starting this year," adding, "I hope it will become a modest but enduring event that accompanies residents closely in the future."