Gangnam-gu Renovates Specialized Play Program for Infants and Toddlers in Daycare Centers for New Semester

Support for 100 Specialized Programs at 142 Daycare Centers and 26 Win-Win Cooperation Programs Jointly Operated Among Daycare Centers

Gangnam-gu (District Mayor Jo Seong-myeong) has newly organized 100 play-specialized programs and 26 win-win cooperation programs for infants and toddlers in daycare centers to welcome the new school term.

Since 2020, the district has been providing daycare centers with play-centered childcare programs that allow childcare teachers and parents to participate together, tailored to the age and developmental stages of infants and toddlers. Gangnam-gu’s specialized play programs received high praise, with 96.5% of 1,224 parents of children enrolled in daycare centers last year expressing a desire to participate again in a survey, and 97% of 133 childcare staff responding with satisfaction regarding the operation level by professional companies and the quality of the programs.

The district has partnered with 31 professional companies to develop 100 diverse play-specialized programs including art, sensory play, science, and reading, which are operated at 142 daycare centers.

Additionally, starting this year, the previous restriction of operating programs only on a monthly basis has been removed, allowing daycare centers to freely organize the operation period. The play programs will be run as an open childcare process involving not only childcare teachers but also play-specialized instructors, aiming to enhance the quality of program operation.

Furthermore, the district supports win-win cooperation programs where public, private, and home daycare centers form teams to jointly operate specialized programs. This year, three teams consisting of nine daycare centers will jointly operate 26 detailed programs on themes such as carbon-neutral practices to protect the Earth, promotion of physical activity and cognitive development in infants and toddlers, and fostering reading habits through picture books.

Jo Seong-myeong, Mayor of Gangnam-gu, stated, “As parents have great interest and expectations regarding infant and toddler childcare, we are committed to preparing high-quality childcare programs,” and added, “We will lead efforts to address low birth rates and create a child-friendly city through Gangnam-gu’s uniquely specialized and customized public childcare.”