157 Public Daycare Centers... 20 "Hwaseong-Style" Centers in Operation
With More Students Arriving, 13 New Elementary, Middle, and High Schools Planned by 2028
The childcare and educational infrastructure of Hwaseong City, Gyeonggi Province, which ranked first nationwide in the number of births last year, is drawing attention. As the number of births increases and the steady influx of young people continues, demand for childcare and education is rising, prompting the city to consistently expand its tailored infrastructure.
It is analyzed that Hwaseong City ranked first nationwide in the number of births last year because of its solid childcare and educational infrastructure. Mayor Jung Myunggeun of Hwaseong City is experiencing a fire extinguisher with children at the Children's Day Infant and Toddler Family Harmony Festival. Provided by Hwaseong City
In particular, unlike the nationwide trend of daycare centers and schools closing due to the overall population decline, Hwaseong City is notable for continuously expanding daycare centers and care facilities, as well as increasing the number of schools.
No More Worries About Childcare... Increasing Quality Daycare Centers and Expanding Care Systems
Hwaseong City currently operates 157 public daycare centers, the highest number among all basic local governments in the country. This means that there are many quality daycare centers available at affordable costs. The city plans to expand this number to 164 by the end of the year.
Separately, the city has introduced and is operating the 'Hwaseong-Style Daycare Center' model to raise the quality of private and home daycare centers to the level of public daycare centers. Currently, 20 Hwaseong-Style Daycare Centers are in operation, with the city providing support for personnel expenses, operating costs, and facility expenses. In addition, the city has implemented a systematic management system through regular inspections and quality assessments.
A Together Care Center in Hwaseong City. The city plans to expand the number of Together Care Centers from the current 18 to 27 by the end of the year. Provided by Hwaseong City
Investment to address care gaps is also being expanded. The 'Independent Childcare Support Center,' which will be the first of its kind to be established by a local government nationwide, is a representative example. This center, designed to provide emergency care for children under the age of 12, will separate the childcare support service, which has previously been handled as a consignment task at family centers, to ensure greater expertise. The city has secured a budget through the second supplementary budget this year and is pushing to open the center in January next year.
The 'Together Care Center,' which addresses after-school care gaps, will also be expanded from the current 18 locations to 27 by the end of this year. The city plans to increase this number to 44 by 2030.
In addition, the city operates a variety of self-planned care and childcare services to meet diverse needs, including the Hwaseong-Style Childcare Center, Hwaseong-Style Holiday Daycare Center, Hwaseong City Child Counseling Center, and Hwaseong City Children's Culture Center.
Schools Are Closing Elsewhere... Hwaseong to Add 13 New Schools Amid Influx of Young Population
Hwaseong City is putting as much effort into establishing new schools as it is into improving the childcare environment. In line with the steadily increasing school-age population since 2015, the city has been actively promoting the establishment of schools at all levels. In fact, as of 2023, Hwaseong City recorded a net influx of 775 elementary school students, ranking fourth nationwide.
A plaque for the 'Hwaseong-Style Daycare Center,' introduced by Hwaseong City to elevate private and home daycare centers to the level of public daycare centers. Currently, 20 centers are in operation. Provided by Hwaseong City
Accordingly, the city has actively proposed the establishment of new schools to education authorities, focusing on areas with concentrated demand. Currently, a total of 13 school establishment plans in Hwaseong City have passed the review of the Ministry of Education and the Gyeonggi Provincial Office of Education. In September this year, 'Hyeonmin Elementary School' and 'Hwaseong Bareun Elementary School' will open in the Dongtan area. Next year, six new schools are scheduled to open sequentially in the Namyang, Hyangnam, and Dongtan areas.
Alongside this, the city is implementing various support measures to ease the burden on parents, such as providing grants for new elementary school students, supporting the cost of uniforms and gym clothes for new middle and high school students, and operating programs linked to community education initiatives.
The city also conducted a policy survey of citizens to develop effective measures to address low birth rates. Based on the survey results, the city plans to design more sophisticated customized policies and continue to introduce highly practical support measures.
Jung Myunggeun, Mayor of Hwaseong City, said, "Ranking first in the number of births is evidence that our policies are providing real help to families with children," and added, "We will continue to pursue childcare and education support policies that parents can truly feel in their daily lives."
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