Busan Education Office Selects Eight "Future Child Kindergartens" to Launch Play-Centered Digital Education

Four Leading-Model and Four Growth-Model Kindergartens to Operate...
Spreading AI and Digital Education Models Tailored to Early Childhood Development

The Busan Metropolitan Office of Education (Superintendent Kim Seokjun) has finalized the selection of the "2026 Future Child (AI) Kindergarten" program, which aims to spread a play-centered digital and AI education model suitable for early childhood development, and will begin full-scale implementation starting in March 2026.

A total of 47 kindergartens applied for this open call, demonstrating strong interest. After a review process, the office ultimately selected eight kindergartens: four as leading-model kindergartens and four as growth-model kindergartens.

The leading-model kindergartens are Gangseo Public Kindergarten, Banggok Public Kindergarten, Chorok Private Kindergarten, and Jeonggwan Berkeley Private Kindergarten. The growth-model kindergartens are Geumgok Narae Public Kindergarten, Nammyeong Public Kindergarten, Mindeulle Private Kindergarten, and LG Private Kindergarten.

The Busan Metropolitan Office of Education has previously promoted the "Future-Oriented Digital Classroom Construction" project, building digital infrastructure in kindergarten classrooms, including AR/VR multimedia learning devices, electronic whiteboards, and tablet PCs. It has also supported the operation of research associations and professional learning communities, thereby fostering a teacher-led culture of researching and sharing digital classes.

In 2026, based on this foundation, the office plans to operate the "Future Child (AI) Kindergarten" program, which systematically links children's play with digital technology and AI, in order to establish a Busan-style model for future early childhood education.

The "Future Child (AI) Kindergarten" program combines digital technology and AI with play-centered educational activities tailored to children's developmental stages, providing creative learning experiences and focusing on cultivating proper digital literacy and healthy usage habits. The selected kindergartens are required to provide education on digital citizenship and prevention of overdependence on digital media. They will also work to spread a culture of safe digital use connected with the home through teacher learning communities and training programs for parents and guardians.

The leading-model kindergartens will open their digital and AI-based classes to teachers in the region and serve as regional hubs for future education. The growth-model kindergartens will open classes to their own teachers and parents or guardians to enhance understanding and spread a home-linked education culture.

To this end, the Busan Metropolitan Office of Education will provide a budget of 10 million won to each leading-model kindergarten and 5 million won to each growth-model kindergarten, along with customized consulting support.

Superintendent Kim Seokjun said, "The Future Child (AI) Kindergarten program will be the first step in helping our children grow into rightful owners of the digital world," adding, "We will actively support children so that, through digital technology, they can expand play into learning experiences and develop the competencies they need for the future."