Yeongdeungpo-gu, Ongoing Enrollment for Children Using 8 Elementary Care Island Locations

Published 11 Jan.2021 06:44(KST)

In January, Branches 7 and 8 Opened in Dangsan 2-dong and Singil 1-dong... Total of 8 Locations Operating Locally... Emerging as a Solution to COVID-19 Care Gaps with Emergency Care... Continuous Enrollment for Children Aged 6-12... Priority for Children of Dual-Income Families and Lower Grades

Yeongdeungpo-gu, Ongoing Enrollment for Children Using 8 Elementary Care Island Locations

[Asia Economy Reporter Jongil Park] Yeongdeungpo-gu (Mayor Chae Hyun-il) has started the ongoing recruitment of children using the after-school care facility for elementary school students, "I-Land" (Seoul Our Neighborhood Care Center), to welcome the new year.

With the opening of I-Land branches No. 7 and 8 in Dangsan 2-dong and Singil 1-dong on the 11th of this month, Yeongdeungpo I-Land now has a total of 8 locations.

I-Land is available to any elementary school student in need of care. Its biggest feature and advantage is the flexible care options, including full-day care, hourly care, and temporary care, tailored to the schedules of children and their parents.

Currently, despite being closed due to COVID-19, emergency care is being operated by applying vacation hours.

Children can experience various programs here such as play, reading, and physical activities. The focus is not on study but on rest and creative, play-based learning programs. Currently, to prevent COVID-19, activities are mainly individual rather than linked with external programs.

Since all I-Land centers are directly operated by the district, the quality of care services can be trusted. The district assigns center directors and care teachers with extensive social welfare experience and childcare certifications to the facilities to focus on child care.

The capacity is 20 to 25 children. During the school term, it operates from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., and during vacations, from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Emergency care hours during COVID-19 are the same as vacation hours. Some centers open from 8 a.m. to flexibly respond to local care demands.

Children are recruited continuously, and any elementary school student aged 6 to 12 living in the area can apply regardless of parental income. If capacity is exceeded, children from dual-income families and lower grades are given priority.

Those who wish to use the service can check the nearest I-Land on the Our Neighborhood Care Portal and apply online or in person. For other inquiries, contact the Child and Youth Welfare Division.

The district plans to establish additional I-Land centers in 2021 to meet community care demands and eliminate care gaps.

Yeongdeungpo-gu Mayor Chae Hyun-il said, "Since the first I-Land branch opened in October 2019, with the opening of the 8th branch, it has become a solution to local care gaps," adding, "We will strive to build a detailed Yeongdeungpo-style care system where children can play joyfully and parents can entrust their children with peace of mind."