Seoul City to Establish 'Online Application Window' for Nighttime Childcare at Daycare Centers

Available for annual use with one application
Expanded to 250 'Geojem-type Night Care Centers' and 10 '365 Open Childcare Centers' by the end of this year

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] The Seoul Metropolitan Government announced on the 17th that it will establish and expand an online application portal for nighttime childcare centers.

Additionally, this year, the number of “hub-type nighttime childcare centers” capable of providing urgent care during nights and holidays will increase from 171 to 250 locations, and the number of “365 Open Childcare Centers” will expand from 4 to 10 locations.

Nighttime childcare extension is available for any family with children attending one of the 2,585 private, home-based, or public childcare centers designated as nighttime extension centers. This accounts for 48.1% of childcare centers in Seoul.

Applications can be submitted online through the “Seoul Childcare Portal Service” website, and the application details will be forwarded to the respective childcare center. Families can use the service for up to three years with a single application, and any child eligible for extended childcare can use nighttime childcare free of charge (up to 60 hours per month).

Seoul City is easing the requirements for nighttime childcare teacher allowances or labor cost support to reduce the financial burden on childcare centers operating nighttime classes.

The “hub-type nighttime childcare centers” (hereafter referred to as hub centers), which will expand to 250 locations this year, are intended for children attending childcare centers or kindergartens that do not operate nighttime classes. They operate from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. on weekdays, providing healthy dinner and safe care with peers.

Starting this year, Seoul City has expanded the designation of hub centers to all types of government-supported childcare centers with an A grade in government evaluation, including public centers, to improve accessibility. Once the total reaches 250 locations by the end of the year, families are expected to have easier access to nearby hub-type nighttime childcare centers.

The “365 Open Childcare Centers” provide temporary childcare services 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, except for New Year’s Day, Lunar New Year and Chuseok holidays, and Christmas. They are available to any preschool child aged 6 months to under 6 years residing in Seoul.

365 Open Childcare Centers allow continuous use from a minimum of 1 hour up to a maximum of 5 days, with a childcare fee of 3,000 KRW per hour borne by the family. Children eligible for extended childcare receive support for nighttime and holiday childcare fees, and families pay 2,000 KRW for meals if used.

Currently, there are 4 365 Open Childcare Centers, and 6 more will be designated by the end of the year to eliminate regional disparities. Applications and reservations for “hub-type nighttime childcare centers” and “365 Open Childcare Centers” can also be made through the “Seoul Childcare Portal Service” website. Information about related childcare centers is available on the Seoul Childcare Portal Service website.

Kang Hee-eun, Seoul City’s childcare officer, said, “Through the nationwide first online application for nighttime extension starting this year, we expect to discover potential demand for nighttime childcare,” adding, “We will strive to provide comprehensive care for dual-income families and families with nighttime workers through quantitative expansion of nighttime extension childcare centers, hub-type nighttime childcare centers, and 365 Open Childcare Centers.”

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