Working Parents Supported by Mapo-gu Childcare Helper Playing the Role of 'Mom' Effectively

Increased Demand for Childcare Workers Due to Extended School Closures and Full Remote Classes... Significant Support Through Remote Learning Preparation, Class Observation, and Reporting Results to Parents

Yoo Dong-gyun, Mayor of Mapo-gu, with children at Mangwon 1-dong Our Neighborhood Care Center

[Asia Economy Reporter Jongil Park] Mapo-gu (Mayor Yudonggyun) announced that as schools in the metropolitan area suspended in-person classes and switched to full remote learning due to the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), childcare service providers will take on the role of supporting elementary students' remote learning by preparing lessons, observing the class process, and communicating observation results to parents.

As the COVID-19 situation has prolonged longer than expected and the spread has not subsided, working families are increasingly concerned about where to leave their children due to sudden closures of daycare centers, kindergartens, and schools.

In this situation, the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family’s ‘Childcare Service’ is gaining renewed attention. The childcare service dispatches skilled caregivers to working families with children aged from 3 months to 12 years old, providing care services at a rate of 9,890 KRW per hour (general hourly rate), available to anyone.

Additionally, depending on income criteria (below 150% of median income), partial discounts on usage fees may apply.

However, with the recent surge in demand for in-home care and increasing waiting lists, there have been issues where caregivers could not be connected in time, and due to COVID-19, caregiver training has been postponed, causing supply difficulties.

In response, the district selected 10 new caregivers in the second half of 2020; among them, 6 began working immediately in September, and 4 are preparing to complete training and will participate in care activities in the future.

Furthermore, for effective service use, even if childcare services are not immediately needed, working families are advised to apply for government support and register for childcare services in advance to increase the likelihood of timely caregiver connection.

Applications for care services and government support can be made through the Childcare Service website and the Bokjiro website, and issuance of the National Happiness Card is required for payment of childcare service fees.

Meanwhile, to prevent the spread of COVID-19, Mapo-gu provides its caregivers with health masks, thermometers, and hand sanitizers to prepare against possible exposure or transmission.

Mayor Yudonggyun of Mapo-gu stated, “Caregivers are trained through mandatory education, field training, aptitude tests, background checks, and health examinations to ensure safe and reliable care services. Care services are provided in various ways according to the child’s age, from feeding baby food and sterilizing bottles to school and daycare pick-up/drop-off, temporary care, and remote class support. Families in need of care can trust and entrust their children to reduce their burden.”

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