POSCO and Partners Jointly Open 'Workplace Daycare Center'

[Asia Economy Reporter Park So-yeon] POSCO announced on the 23rd that it has established and begun full operation of a ‘win-win type joint workplace daycare center’ to create an environment where corporate citizens can balance work and family life and contribute to solving the low birthrate problem.

Originally scheduled to open in March, it only operated emergency childcare due to the COVID-19 situation, but according to the opening guidelines of each local government in Pohang and Gwangyang, it officially opened in June.

POSCO has been operating two daycare centers for the children of POSCO employees within residential complexes in Pohang and Gwangyang. In April last year, POSCO signed a business agreement (MOU) with the Korea Workers' Compensation & Welfare Service to establish a ‘win-win type joint workplace daycare center’ that can be used by children of not only POSCO but also group companies and partner company employees.

Participation in the ‘win-win type joint workplace daycare center’ consortium is possible by company. In the Pohang area, 12 group companies and 47 partner companies (small and medium enterprises) applied, and in the Gwangyang area, 11 group companies and 51 partner companies (small and medium enterprises) applied. More than 50% of the total capacity is allocated to children of partner companies.

Additionally, by utilizing idle spaces within the steelworks sites in both Pohang and Gwangyang, a nature-friendly concept was applied, constructing steel-structured buildings with a total floor area of approximately 750 pyeong (about 2,484 square meters), creating a new space concept where both children and teachers can stay comfortably and pleasantly, establishing top-tier childcare infrastructure in Korea.

The ‘POSCO Dongchon Daycare Center’ built next to POSCO headquarters is designed around a two-story indoor garden so that children can constantly feel nature and enhance creativity. Skylights were installed to allow children to see the blue sky indoors and fill the daycare center with sunlight. Tropical fruit plants were planted in the indoor garden to create a natural experiential learning space. An open library was also arranged to let children enjoy reading, and a running track was created for physical play activities.

The ‘POSCO Geumdang Daycare Center’ built in the Gwangyang Steelworks residential complex was designed with a forest playground using wood and a rooftop playground for seasonal events, allowing children to play freely. A responsive digital motion wall was installed to stimulate children’s curiosity and create an engaging play environment. Especially, the childcare rooms, oriented southward, have windows at children’s eye level so they can directly feel seasonal changes and communicate with nature. Bright and warm-colored POSMAC steel exterior materials were used, considering harmony with the colors of surrounding residential buildings.

Meanwhile, in addition to the win-win type joint workplace daycare centers and existing daycare centers, POSCO newly renovated a second daycare center in March this year at POSCO Center, which can be used by children of group companies, partner companies, and tenant companies. To encourage childbirth and prevent career breaks during childcare, POSCO has been fully implementing a ‘career-break-free childcare telecommuting system’ from July, enabling employees to balance childcare and work.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.