Busan Early Childhood Public Education Advances as a Regional-Based Innovation Model

Full-scale Implementation of the Second Year of Curriculum and After-school Programs

The Busan Metropolitan City Office of Education (Superintendent Kim Seokjun) will fully implement the second year of the region-based Early Childhood Education and Care Innovation Support Project and continue to operate the BTS Busan Theme-based Curriculum and the HuG After-school (Care) Program.

The Busan Theme System (BTS) curriculum is a theme-based program that reflects the characteristics of the Busan region and each kindergarten. Five kindergartens will be selected through an open call to participate in the program.

In the first year, the curriculum was uniquely operated with themes such as digital, nature, and character education. Building on this, the second year will focus on strengthening public early childhood education by operating specialized curricula based on the revised Nuri Curriculum, including Education for Sustainable Development, Multicultural Education, and Health and Safety.

In addition to the curriculum, projects to support the growth and development of young children will continue in the after-school (care) programs.

The HuG (Human-diGital) After-school (Care) Program refers to a collaborative after-school care system where kindergartens and daycare centers work together in a warm, embracing (hug) manner.

In the first year, a leading model was operated to establish a foundation for cooperation between kindergartens and daycare centers. This year, the program will be expanded by selecting eight kindergartens through an open call that can implement collaborative projects with daycare centers. Shared use of outdoor play facilities and joint operation of after-school (care) services on holidays between kindergartens and daycare centers will further vitalize customized after-school (care) programs.

Superintendent Kim Seokjun said, "This project will contribute to strengthening public education and establishing a reliable child-rearing and care system through distinctive curricula for education and care," adding, "We will do our best to enhance the effectiveness of the project through continuous monitoring."