Introduction of National Qualification System for Idolbomi... Operation of Emergency and Short-term Care Services

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[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo Byung-don] Going forward, a national qualification system will be introduced for childcare helpers, and a short-term care service allowing children to use care during drop-off and pick-up times will also be operated.

The Ministry of Gender Equality and Family discussed these details in the "Childcare Service Advancement Plan" at the National Policy Issues Ministers' Meeting chaired by Prime Minister Han Duck-soo on the 16th.

This plan focuses on △ streamlining the childcare service delivery system △ enhancing the professionalism of care personnel △ diversifying childcare services and rationalizing usage fees, in order to fulfill the national agenda of "creating a safe and high-quality child-rearing environment."

Minister Kim Hyun-sook of the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family is announcing the 'Advanced Plan for Childcare Services' on the 16th at the government Seoul office briefing room.
[Photo by Ministry of Gender Equality and Family]

Streamlining the Service Delivery System

First, to provide childcare services promptly, the public delivery system including childcare service providers will be expanded. Currently, only one public provider is designated and operated per city, county, or district; this will be changed to allow multiple designations considering regional characteristics. The Central Support Center will improve service quality through manual development and distribution, evaluation, and consulting on service operation methods, while the Metropolitan Support Centers will assist with workload reduction by supporting tasks such as childcare helper supply-demand adjustment and labor management.

The Ministry of Gender Equality and Family also plans to build and operate an "Integrated Childcare Support Platform" to enhance user convenience. To shorten the time from application to connection for childcare services and alleviate supply-demand mismatches, an artificial intelligence (AI) system will be developed and utilized. Additionally, linkage between care platforms will be promoted so that government-provided care services can be searched and applied for in one place.

Alongside this, registration standards for facilities, personnel, and services of private providers will be established, and legal amendments will be pursued to introduce a registration system. Plans to provide consulting and various incentives to registered private providers are also under consideration.

Enhancing the Professionalism of Care Personnel

The Ministry will reorganize the public childcare helper training system and develop an integrated training curriculum for both public and private care personnel. This year, based on job analysis (NCS - National Competency Standards), an integrated training curriculum emphasizing practical skills and hands-on training will be developed, and the scope of similar qualifications eligible to work as childcare helpers will be expanded. Pilot training courses for holders of similar qualifications and experienced personnel will also be conducted. Starting next year, the public care personnel training system will be restructured into a "training first, employment later" model using the National Tomorrow Learning Card, and private childcare assistants will also be included in the training courses.

To introduce the national qualification system next year, active efforts will be made this year to amend the "Childcare Support Act." Certificates will be issued after confirming completion of training and disqualification criteria, and a dedicated organization will be operated to manage qualification and continuing education.

To expand excellent care personnel, working conditions and treatment will also be improved. Appropriate care allowances will be considered to attract and retain outstanding childcare helpers for long-term activity. Incentives will also be provided to certified childcare assistants delivering care services through private providers.

Diversifying Services and Rationalizing Usage Fees

To respond to diverse childcare needs of users, customized services will be introduced. To alleviate childcare burdens caused by sudden overtime or business trips, an emergency care service that quickly connects care will be piloted in the second half of this year, along with a short-term care service allowing use of care within two hours during drop-off and pick-up times. Institutional improvements will also be pursued to smoothly supply childcare services during peak commuting hours.

Government support will be expanded to reduce users' childcare cost burdens. The number of households receiving government support for childcare services will increase to 85,000 this year, and support hours will be extended to 960 hours annually. Additional support will be considered for vulnerable groups such as single-parent families, grandparent-headed families, parents with disabilities, low-income youth parents, and households with elementary school children. To promote full-day infant care, linking parental benefits provided to parents of children aged 0 to 1 with full-day infant care services will be examined, along with measures to reduce childcare burdens.

Minister Kim Hyun-sook of the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family stated, "We have prepared the Childcare Service Advancement Plan to expand public childcare services and meet the demand for managing private care services. We will do our best to expand public care personnel so that anyone can use trusted childcare services quickly and conveniently, and to improve the quality of private services."

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