• Korean Journal of Childcare and Education
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• v.13 no.5
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• pp.21-41
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• 2017

Objective: This study purposed to provide implications in regards to the Moon Jae-in Administration that launched in May 2017. Three sectors of childcare polices on administration of childcare centers were reviewed in terms of supporting the healthy development of young children. Methods: Medium and long-term childcare plans and the main policies of previous administrations since 2004 when the Childcare Act was completely reformed, as well as the 'Five-year policy for the Moon Jae-in administration of state affairs' that was announced on July, 2017, were reviewed in terms of publicness of childcare, regulations on operation of childcare services, and customized childcare programs for diverse needs. Results: It was proposed that the concept of publicness of childcare should be conservative when focusing on public childcare centers. The regulations on operating childcare services should focus on improving structural dimensions of childcare quality to keep the well-being of children a top priority. Furthermore, diverse programs should be designed and implemented to satisfy changes in childcare surroundings and the various needs of children and their families. Conclusion/Implications: The Moon Jae-in administration is expected to outline childcare policies and carry out tasks under the new paradigm. The healthy development of young children should be embodied as the final goal that forms the vision of childcare policies based on publicness, rationality, and diversity.

• Korean Journal of Childcare and Education
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• v.9 no.5
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• pp.513-538
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• 2013

As a childcare program of TaeHwa Christian Women's Institution in 1921, the childcare system in Korea was incepted. Since then, the political foothold of childcare system has steadily been advancing to provide high quality services to young children. In almost a hundred-year-history of public childcare in Korea, depending on the changes enforced on the related laws and regulations and varying perspectives over time, the administration office accountable for childcare policies has been authorized to the Ministries of Health, Social Affairs, Education, Labor, Home Affairs, Rural Development Administration, and/or others. But as of 1991, under the enactment of Infant and Child Care Act, it was changed to be administered by the unified authority of the Health and Social Welfare Ministry. Then, in 2004 and 2007, its statutory authority, respectively, transferred to the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family and back to the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare. Staring of the Infant and Child Care Act in 1991, Korean childcare policies have been managed by the dual systems of the Education Ministry and the Health and Social Welfare Ministry each holding jurisdiction over kindergartens and childcare centers, respectively. Faced with the recent marked decline of birth rate, diverse childcare policies are currently implemented in the pursuit of finding means to enhance the quality of childcare and to develop policies for the restoration of the low birth rate. This study presented distinct features of current childcare policies and discussed about future directions and challenges of these policies.