Capacity-Building Training for Toy Library Staff from 22 Cities and Counties in North Gyeongsang Held in Pohang
Three 24-Hour 365-Day Daycare Centers in Operation... One More to Open in the Second Half of the Year
'Heunghae Ainuri Plaza,' established by Pohang City to improve the childcare environment for infants and young children, has received an enthusiastic response since its opening in March and is being recognized as an exemplary case of childcare infrastructure.
Heunghae Ainuri Plaza, which brings together the Ainuri Kids Cafe, Toy Library, and a 24-hour 365-day daycare center in one location, has established itself as a flagship complex childcare facility representing Pohang City's advanced childcare policies. This further solidifies Pohang's reputation as a city that is ideal for raising children.
On May 23, the 'Toy Library Operations Staff Capacity-Building Training,' organized by North Gyeongsang Province, was held at this venue.
More than 60 toy library center directors and staff from 22 cities and counties in the province attended the event. They participated in practical training such as toy repair workshops, member management, and support for replacing outdated toys. They also had the opportunity to observe and benchmark Pohang City's unique, specialized programs firsthand.
The Heunghae area, which has a large population of infants and young children due to the influx of residents into large-scale apartment complexes, has seen high satisfaction and trust among local parents following the opening of Heunghae Ainuri Plaza. The popularity has been so great that it has even led to the phenomenon of people lining up before opening hours.
The Toy Library goes beyond simple rental services, offering experiential childcare programs where children and parents participate together, such as sensory experience rooms and parent-participation programs. These have received a very positive response.
Park Jungtae, Director of Pohang City Ainuri Center, said, "Heunghae Ainuri Plaza is a complex childcare space that operates both a kids cafe and a sensory experience room, and it is especially popular among young parents. We hope that Pohang's excellent childcare infrastructure will continue to expand to other cities and counties in the province so that more families with infants and young children can benefit."
Pohang City is the first in North Gyeongsang Province to operate a 24-hour 365-day daycare center. Currently, three locations?Buk-gu District Office, Municipal Hillstate Pohang (Ocheon), and Municipal Heunghae?provide the 'Pohang-style care system,' which ensures there are no gaps in care at night, dawn, or on holidays, allowing the city to respond quickly to diverse childcare needs.
In the second half of the year, the city plans to open an additional 24-hour 365-day daycare center in Buk-gu, providing even more comprehensive childcare services.
Jung Yeonhak, Director of the Department of Women and Family, stated, "Heunghae Ainuri Plaza will serve as a core infrastructure for advanced childcare policies that Pohang City pursues, and will play a central role in infant and young child care. We will continue to do our best to expand high-quality childcare infrastructure to overcome low birth rates and to create a family-friendly city."
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