Gwanak District Leads Efforts to Address Childcare Gaps and Create a Child-Friendly Environment

Childcare Service Provided for Families Experiencing Gaps in Childcare
Eligibility Expanded Starting This Year
New "Infant Caregiver Allowance" Introduced to Encourage Infant Caregiver Activities
Additional Payment for Dedicated Caregivers for Children Aged 0 to 2

Gwanak District (District Mayor Park Junhee) is working to create a child-friendly environment in Gwanak by addressing gaps in childcare and establishing a supportive care system.

The "Childcare Support Service" is a program that dispatches a caregiver to households with children under the age of 12 when parents, such as dual-income couples, experience a gap in childcare due to work or other reasons.

There are two main services: the "Infant Full-Day Service," which provides care such as feeding baby food and changing diapers for infants aged 3 to 36 months; and the "Hourly Service," which offers support for children aged 3 months to 12 years, including assistance with drop-off and pick-up, and meal preparation. Parents can choose the type of care service that best suits their needs.

Notably, the eligibility criteria have been expanded this year. Last year, only households with an income at or below 150% of the median could apply, but starting this year, the threshold has been relaxed to include households with an income at or below 200% of the median.

Accordingly, households with an income at or below 200% of the median can receive a subsidy covering 15% to 85% of the service fee, depending on their income level.

In addition, the district has introduced a new "Infant Caregiver Allowance" this year to encourage more people to become infant caregivers, further strengthening support for this group.

The aim is to create an environment where parents, including dual-income families returning from maternity or parental leave, can entrust their children with peace of mind and return to work comfortably.

In particular, dedicated caregivers specializing in infants (36 months or younger), who are in high demand for care, receive an additional payment of 1,500 won.

Furthermore, to expand the childcare support service, the district plans to train more than 40 new caregivers, aiming to both increase the service matching rate and create more jobs.

Households with children aged 24 to 36 months, an income at or below 150% of the median, and experiencing a gap in childcare can choose between the "Relative Childcare Allowance" (grandparent care allowance) or a voucher for private service agencies through the "Seoul-Type Childcare Allowance."

Park Junhee, Mayor of Gwanak District, stated, "We will work to expand policies that support community-based childcare and create a child-friendly environment in the region so that families raising children can be happy."