Enhancing Expertise of Gangdong-gu Integrated Disability Childcare Centers to Support Families of Children with Disabilities

Gangdong-gu Childcare Comprehensive Support Center Operates On-site Support and Specialized Education Programs for Inclusive Childcare Centers for Children with Disabilities

Supports Teaching Methods Tailored to the Developmental Levels of Infants and Toddlers, Enabling Teachers to Apply Them Immediately in Childcare Settings

Gangdong-gu (Mayor Lee Soo-hee) announced on the 7th that it will newly promote a support project for children with disabilities and their families.

This project, led by the Gangdong-gu Childcare Comprehensive Support Center to support families of infants and toddlers with disabilities and vulnerable groups, focuses on strengthening support for inclusive childcare centers by providing childcare information according to developmental stages and fostering a culture where childcare concerns can be shared among vulnerable families such as those with disabilities, developmental delays, single-parent households, low-income, and multicultural families.

Priority on-site support will be provided to inclusive childcare centers by dispatching dedicated staff and therapists. To enhance teachers' expertise, special education for inclusive childcare teachers will be operated. A healing program to alleviate job stress for inclusive childcare staff will also be offered, along with education and programs for vulnerable families of infants and toddlers, including parent education on infant and toddler developmental assessments and caregiving methods based on evaluations, and provision of kits to improve cognitive skills and promote positive emotions in young children.

In particular, therapists specializing in language, play, and occupational therapy will visit the sites directly to guide teaching methods appropriate to the developmental levels of infants and toddlers, enabling teachers to immediately apply these methods in childcare settings.

Through this, it is expected to improve the professionalism and capabilities of inclusive childcare teachers, facilitate early detection of infants and toddlers with disabilities and developmental delays, and provide one-on-one support that contributes to the holistic development and emotional improvement of young children. Supporting vulnerable families of infants and toddlers is also anticipated to greatly help them live stably within the local community.

Additionally, a ‘One-stop Developmental Counseling Room’ using online platforms will be operated for caregivers concerned about infant and toddler development and childcare.

Seo Jeom-ok, Director of Childcare Support Division, said, “We hope that more specialized education and programs will greatly assist inclusive childcare centers and vulnerable families.”

Program reservations and applications can be made on the Gangdong Children's Hall website. For inquiries, contact the Gangdong-gu Childcare Comprehensive Support Center by phone for guidance.