Gwangju Office of Education to Operate "Hub-Type Care Institutions" for Infants and Young Children

15 Institutions Designated for Saturday and Customized Care
Expanded Morning, Evening, and Weekend Childcare

The Gwangju Metropolitan Office of Education will designate and operate "hub-type care institutions" until December to address gaps in early childhood care. This project is part of the Ministry of Education's pilot program for the integration of early childhood education and care, and unlike the existing "Neulbom School" program, which is centered on elementary schools, it focuses on care for infants and young children at kindergartens and daycare centers.

Gwangju Metropolitan Office of Education building.

According to the Gwangju Metropolitan Office of Education on July 10, a total of 15 institutions have been designated, including 5 Saturday (holiday) type and 10 customized type institutions. The Saturday type institutions operate from 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., and also provide care on Sundays and public holidays upon request. The customized type institutions operate from 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., and, if desired, children enrolled at other institutions may also use these services.

These institutions offer a variety of programs that go beyond simple childcare, including reading, paper folding, cooking, coding play, and field trips. All activities are free of charge. On July 5, the five Saturday type institutions also held a blueberry harvesting experience for 32 children.

The Office of Education supports the operating institutions with funding and also provides administrative support through the "hub-type care support team," which offers on-site consulting, monitoring, and sharing of best practices.