Gender and Family Committee Passes
Amendment to the Childcare Support Act on the 6th
The "Childcare Support Act Amendment," which includes provisions to establish a national certification for childcare workers and allow the government to manage private childcare companies, passed the National Assembly's Gender and Family Committee plenary session on the 6th.
On the same day, the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family (MOGEF) announced that the amendment to the Childcare Support Act, which includes the introduction of the "National Certification System for Childcare Workers" and the "Registration System for Private Childcare Service Providers," had passed the standing committee of the National Assembly.
The National Certification System for Childcare Workers is a system where the Minister of Gender Equality and Family issues a national certification to individuals who have completed a standard curriculum and passed aptitude and personality tests. With the introduction of this national certification system, childcare workers who have completed professional training and demonstrated their competence will be able to work not only in the public sector but also in the private sector.
The registration system for private service providers allows private childcare companies to voluntarily register with the government after meeting certain legal requirements, enabling registered institutions to have management authority over their affiliated childcare workers. Until now, private childcare service providers were in a legislative blind spot and were not subject to separate public management. However, under this amendment, private childcare companies that are lawfully registered with the government will be able to conduct criminal background checks on their affiliated childcare workers.
Additionally, the amendment includes provisions that prohibit individuals with diseases that may pose a risk of harm to others from working as childcare workers or babysitters, and it establishes safety obligations for private registered institutions.
Shin Young-sook, Vice Minister of MOGEF, stated, "This amendment to the Childcare Support Act is significant in that it expands a trustworthy childcare system across both public and private sectors," adding, "We will strive to ensure that the amendment passes the remaining legislative procedures and the plenary session of the National Assembly so that higher-quality childcare services can be provided to the public."
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