Childcare services for working families struggling to find care for their children on weekends are set to expand in the Jeonnam region.
The Gwangju Metropolitan Office of Education announced plans to designate additional facilities next year due to an increase in the number of children utilizing the newly introduced 'Weekend and Holiday Care Program.'
According to the education office, three facilities in Suncheon and Yeongam have been designated as care centers to address the childcare gap that occurs on weekends and holidays.
The currently operating facilities include the Suncheon Saetbyeol Daycare Center, Haedami Daycare Center, and Yeongam Samho Daycare Center. These centers provide care services from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekends and holidays.
This initiative aims to alleviate the childcare burden for families who find it difficult to access public care services on weekends and holidays.
It is particularly expected to provide practical support for dual-income couples and single-parent families who require childcare services during these times.
Children aged 3 to 5 can apply for the service, regardless of their regular daycare or kindergarten. Parents can directly apply to the designated care facilities.
A key feature of the program is that it allows families to utilize care facilities in their area, rather than being restricted to their usual institutions.
The care centers offer play and rest programs tailored to the developmental stages and interests of young children. They also provide nutritious meals and snacks to reduce the burden on parents during extended care periods.
Dedicated teachers and volunteers are assigned to ensure a safe care environment, with ongoing monitoring and consulting.
Initially, awareness of the weekend and holiday childcare services was low, limiting usage. However, as the education office has promoted the program and managed the facilities, the number of children utilizing the services has gradually increased.
Based on this trend and parent satisfaction survey results, the education office plans to expand the number of care facilities next year.
To enhance the effectiveness of the expansion, it will be essential to consider local childcare demand, accessibility, and staffing when designating new facilities.
Currently, the operating facilities are concentrated in Suncheon and Yeongam, making it a significant challenge to address weekend childcare needs in other regions as the program expands.
Kim Bo-kyung, head of the Early Childhood and Elementary Education Division at the Gwangju Metropolitan Office of Education, stated, "The weekend care program is becoming a model for breaking down barriers between institutions and creating a robust community-based childcare network. Based on the current stable operation and parent satisfaction results, we will actively support the expansion of care facilities next year so that more families can benefit from childcare services."
Meanwhile, the Gwangju Metropolitan Office of Education is complementing existing weekday-focused early childhood education and care services through the weekend and holiday care program. Plans are in place to establish a childcare system that reflects regional demand while reducing the childcare burden on parents and addressing gaps in care availability.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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