Image Credits : Korea By Me
The Ministry of Education of South Korea announced a new pilot program integrating childcare and kindergarten services, set to launch in September. The program will operate at 152 institutions nationwide, providing comprehensive 12-hour daily care for children on weekdays. The initiative is part of a broader effort to create a more supportive environment for working parents and streamline early childhood education.
The pilot program aims to offer seamless care for children from birth to age five, addressing the current division between daycare (for children under three) and kindergarten (for those aged three to five). The program will not only extend care hours but also incorporate educational programs during after-school hours, focusing on play-based language, mathematics, arts, and physical activities.
This program forms part of the government’s larger strategy to combat the country’s low birthrate, which has placed significant strain on its workforce and social welfare system. Parents will benefit from extended care services, particularly during public kindergarten vacations and even on weekends and holidays starting in 2025. This flexibility aims to assist dual-income families and self-employed parents who often struggle with limited childcare options.
However, the program faces legal challenges, as current laws differentiate between nursery and kindergarten services. While the integration of services is anticipated to be fully realized by 2026, the initial phase will operate under existing legal frameworks. Children aged zero to two will be eligible for daycare services, while older children will enter the kindergarten system.
Despite these efforts, experts remain sceptical. Some argue that extending childcare hours does not directly address the educational quality that such integrated systems aim to improve. The effectiveness of this merger, particularly in classroom settings, remains to be seen.