Jongno District Opens Third Branch of "Our Neighborhood Care Center" on Hyehwa-ro for After-School Childcare

Named "Haeajeon" to Reflect Hopes for Children to Have Joyful and Enriching Experiences
"Hae" Means Child, "Jeon" Means Palace
Features Include Village Care Consultation Room, Program Room, and Ondol Room Play Area
Open to Elementary School Students Aged 6 to 12
Apply via the Online Our Neighborhood Care Portal
Three Types of Care Services: Full-Day, Hourly, and Emergency Care

Jongno 1st Branch Our Neighborhood Care Center

[Asia Economy, reporter Park Jongil] Hyehwa-dong, the heart of Korea's performing arts scene, is also closely linked to key figures in modern and contemporary Korean history such as Yeo Unhyeong and Jang Myeon.

Jongno District has designated the Hyehwa-ro area within Hyehwa-dong, which holds significant historical and cultural value, as a "Children's Special Street" and operates it as a UNICEF Child-Friendly City hub.

As part of its efforts to create a city conducive to raising children, Jongno District (headed by Mayor Kim Youngjong) opened the third branch of the "Our Neighborhood Care Center" (Hyehwa-ro 3 Haeajeon) on January 20, 2021, to provide after-school care for elementary school students.

The district has dedicated one of the most prominent buildings in the Hyehwa-ro area entirely to children, aiming to build a community-wide care network in which the whole neighborhood participates.

The third branch of the Care Center has been given the special name "Haeajeon," reflecting the district's commitment and affection.

"Haeajeon" is derived from Chinese characters meaning "child" and "palace." The center is designed to allow children, who are usually busy shuttling between school and private academies, to take the lead, play, rest, and participate in various projects, ensuring meaningful and enjoyable experiences.

The first floor houses the "Village Care Consultation Room," which discovers and supports resident-led care services, as well as a "Backyard" where children can play freely. The second floor features a "Program Room" for diverse educational activities, the third floor offers an "Ondol Room Play Area" where children can relax comfortably, and the fourth floor is an "Attic" equipped with a net playground.

The center is open to elementary school students aged 6 to 12. To apply, parents can refer to the online Our Neighborhood Care Portal, submit an application, consult with the center regarding admission, and pay the usage fee as part of the process.

There are three types of care services available: "Full-Day Care," where children stay at the center throughout operating hours; "Hourly Care," where children use the center at selected times; and "Emergency Care," which is available when schools are closed due to situations like COVID-19.

In addition to the newly opened third branch, Jongno District operates four Our Neighborhood Care Centers (branches 1 to 4), all safe public care spaces located within a ten-minute distance from homes and schools.

The district-run Our Neighborhood Care Centers, which provide after-school care for elementary students, are located at: 1st Branch (86 Pilundaero, 2nd floor), 2nd Branch (259 Segeomjeong-ro, Suite 102), 3rd Branch (3 Hyehwa-ro, Haeajeon), and 4th Branch (16 Jibong-ro 12-gil, 2nd floor). Each center accommodates 20 to 30 children. The 5th Branch is scheduled to open in Muak-dong in March this year.

For more information or inquiries, please refer to the online Our Neighborhood Care Portal or contact the All-Day Care Team at the Childcare Support Division of the district office.

Kim Youngjong, Mayor of Jongno District, stated, "The Hyehwa-dong rotary is a point where all village routes converge, naturally drawing the attention and interest of residents. This makes it an effective location for preventing child abuse and neglect. By opening the third branch of the Our Neighborhood Care Center here, we aim to provide the best care space for children in Hyehwa-dong. In the future, we plan to offer a variety of cultural and artistic programs, including book playgrounds and art activities using various tools."

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