Integration of Early Childhood Education and Care
Adjustment from 6 to 5 Areas
Unified Goals for Each Area for Ages 0-2
Public Hearing to Gather Opinions on 26-27
Starting next year, the standard childcare curriculum for ages 0 to 2 will be revised for the first time in preparation for the implementation of the 'Yubotonghap' (integration of infant education and childcare). This effectively integrates the previously separated standard childcare curricula for ages 0-1 and 2.
On the 25th, the Ministry of Education announced that it will hold public hearings on the "Partial Revision of the Standard Childcare Curriculum (0-2 years)" on the 26th at Post Tower in Seoul and on the 27th at Dong-A University in Busan. The purpose is to present the contents of the curriculum revision to parents and field teachers and gather their opinions.
Specifically, the basic framework of the standard childcare curriculum will maintain the existing system (0-1 years, 2 years) considering developmental characteristics by age group, but the number of areas will be adjusted from six to five to align with the Nuri Curriculum for ages 3 to 5. Additionally, the goals for each area will be presented by integrating the 0-1 and 2-year-old groups.
This aims to strengthen the connection between the play-centered standard childcare curriculum for ages 0-2 and the Nuri Curriculum for ages 3-5. To facilitate the future integration of infant education and childcare, differences between the two curricula will be reduced, and the standard childcare curriculum will unify the names and number of detailed areas similar to the Nuri Curriculum. Previously, the childcare curriculum presented goals in six areas: ▲Basic Life ▲Physical Movement ▲Communication ▲Social Relationships ▲Art Experience ▲Nature Exploration, but the Basic Life and Physical Movement areas will be combined.
Furthermore, developmental distinctions between ages 0-1 and 2 that are ambiguous will be described comprehensively to make it easier for teachers in the field to implement, using simple terms that teachers can clearly understand.
The Ministry of Education explained, "The partial revision is designed to ensure that infants can receive education and childcare appropriate to their developmental stages in a joyful and safe environment."
The Ministry plans to officially announce the partial revision in November after administrative notification and review by the Central Childcare Policy Committee, and implement it starting March next year. To ensure smooth adoption in the field, explanatory materials and support resources for the partial revision of the standard childcare curriculum will be developed and distributed, and training on the childcare curriculum will be provided for directors and teachers.
Park Daerim, Head of Early Childhood Support at the Ministry of Education, stated, "Through the partial revision of the standard childcare curriculum (0-2 years), we aim to strengthen the state's responsibility for infant education and childcare," adding, "We will communicate thoroughly with parents, teachers, and experts to establish a standard childcare curriculum that makes children happy and earns parents' trust."
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