The amendment to the Childcare Support Act, which introduces a national qualification system for childcare workers and a registration system for private childcare service providers, has passed the plenary session of the National Assembly.
On the 2nd, the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family announced that seven bills under its jurisdiction, including the Childcare Support Act, were approved at the plenary session of the National Assembly. The amendment to the Childcare Support Act includes ▲ the establishment of a national qualification system for childcare workers ▲ the introduction of a registration system for private childcare service providers ▲ and grounds for criminal background checks on care personnel working at registered institutions.
The national qualification system is a system where the Minister of Gender Equality and Family issues childcare worker certificates to individuals who have completed a standardized curriculum and passed a personality and aptitude test. Once this system is introduced, professionally qualified care personnel can 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 these institutions to have management authority over their affiliated care personnel.
Once the amendment is implemented, private childcare companies registered with the government will be able to request criminal background checks on their affiliated care personnel from the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family.
Additionally, the amendment includes ▲ grounds to prohibit individuals with diseases that may pose a risk of harm to others from working as childcare workers or babysitters ▲ the establishment of safety obligations for private registered institutions ▲ and the introduction of disqualification criteria for employees of childcare service providers.
The amendment is scheduled to take effect one year after its promulgation. During this period, the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family plans to establish an operational system for managing childcare worker qualifications and related institutional frameworks.
Meanwhile, at the same plenary session, an amendment to the Youth Sexual Protection Act was also passed, expanding the scope of grooming punishable offenses against children and adolescents to include offline activities and broadening the institutions where sex offenders are prohibited from employment.
Shin Young-sook, Vice Minister of the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family, stated, "With the introduction of the national qualification system for childcare workers, high-quality care personnel will expand not only in the public sector but also in the private sector, strengthening a childcare service system that parents can trust. Furthermore, as penalties for grooming crimes against children and adolescents have been strengthened, we will do our utmost to protect children and adolescents from sexual crimes."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
