Gwanak-gu, Measures to Make the City Better for Having and Raising Children?

Accelerating the Creation of a 'Trustworthy Childcare Environment' through Support for Replacing Aging Daycare CCTV, Increasing Infant Snack Expenses, and Assisting Daycare Heating and Cooling Costs... Promoting Healthy and Safe Working Conditions and Improving Childcare Quality by Enacting Ordinances to Protect Childcare Staff Rights and Awarding District Mayor Commendations

"Childcare is the responsibility of our entire Gwanak community and a great investment for the future,"

emphasized Park Junhee, Mayor of Gwanak District.

Recently, the whole country has been abuzz over the declining birth rate. Last year, the number of births fell below 250,000, recording a total fertility rate of 0.78. This is 0.03 lower than the previous year.

The reasons for the declining birth rate are estimated to be diverse, including economic burdens, rising marriage age, and childcare infrastructure.

In response, Gwanak District (Mayor Park Junhee) is introducing various policies and projects to ease the burden of childbirth and childcare for residents and to transform into a "city good for having and raising children."

This year, the district is working to create a safe and comfortable childcare environment by supporting the replacement costs of outdated CCTV in daycare centers, increasing infant and toddler snack expenses from the existing 15,000 won to 20,000 won, and providing heating and cooling expenses for daycare centers up to 100,000 won per month depending on capacity.

Also, by providing "parental allowance," the district helps reduce the economic burden on caregiving parents. The existing infant allowance is integrated into the parental allowance, supporting 700,000 won per month for households raising children aged 0 and 350,000 won per month for households raising children aged 1. In addition, various support policies such as childcare fees, home care allowances, and child allowances are being promoted.

Furthermore, the district is creating spaces where children can play freely. Gwanak is building indoor play facilities (kids cafes) so that children can enjoy playtime safely away from external environmental factors such as fine dust, heatwaves, and cold waves.

This year, a 150㎡ facility called "Nangok 1st Branch" is under construction and is expected to begin official operation soon. It targets infants and toddlers aged 0 to 2 and can be used not only by families but also by groups such as daycare centers.

Along with this, the district is also taking steps to protect the rights of childcare workers who work hard on the front lines of childcare.

In July this year, the district enacted the "Ordinance on the Protection and Support of the Rights of Childcare Workers in Gwanak District, Seoul," aiming to create a healthy and safe working environment for childcare workers and improve the quality of childcare.

Also, on the occasion of Childcare Workers' Day 2023, the district awarded the Mayor's Commendation to 51 childcare workers, expressing gratitude for their hard work on the front lines for the development of childcare services in Gwanak District.

The event was graced by childcare facility directors, childcare teachers, and staff from the Gwanak District Childcare Support Center, representing various childcare sectors working at the forefront of childcare.

Next year, the district plans to continue supporting the improvement of treatment and capacity building for childcare workers through events such as Childcare Workers' Day and the Childcare Workers Healing Festival, striving to raise the quality of childcare and create an environment that parents can trust and rely on.

Mayor Park Junhee said, "As mayor, I bear a heavy responsibility and will spare no support for the children who are the future generation," adding, "We will accelerate efforts to create a childcare environment where children are happy and childcare workers are satisfied."