Busan City Receives 'Presidential Citation' for Contributions to Childcare Development

Ministry of Health and Welfare Hosts 'This Year's Childcare Merit Government Awards' Highest Honor 'Presidential Citation'

Recognized for Contributions to Various Childcare Projects Including Young Children Class and 365 Open Hour Childcare Center

Busan City will receive the 'Presidential Citation' in the local government category at the '2023 Childcare Merit Government Awards' hosted by the Ministry of Health and Welfare.

The Childcare Merit Awards are promoted to discover and honor individuals who have made significant contributions to the development of childcare projects (such as daycare center directors, childcare teachers, related organizations, and local government workers), express gratitude, and foster the future of childcare projects.

This award includes ▲Presidential Awards to Busan City, Daejeon City, and Jecheon City in Chungbuk ▲Prime Minister's Awards to Gwangju City in Gyeonggi Province, Cheongju City in Chungbuk, Iksan City in Jeonbuk, and Gimhae City in Gyeongnam ▲Minister of Health and Welfare Awards to Gangdong-gu in Seoul and Yeongcheon City in Gyeongbuk.

Busan City was recognized for its efforts in promoting various policies for 'a happy Busan for children, childcare preparing for the future,' based on the 8th term mayor’s election pledges and the '5th Busan City Mid- to Long-Term Childcare Basic Plan,' through this Presidential Award.

The city was acknowledged for achievements in five areas: ▲contribution to the establishment and execution of government childcare policies ▲development of unique local government policies ▲contribution to improving childcare teachers’ treatment ▲quality and safety management of daycare centers ▲exemplary cases of childcare-related system improvements, earning the highest honor a local government can receive, the 'Presidential Citation.'

Busan City has been operating the 'Busan-type Infant Class' to create a childcare environment where newborns and infants (under 12 months old) can be entrusted with peace of mind and to improve working conditions for childcare teachers. Working conditions were improved, such as changing the teacher-to-child ratio in infant classes from 1:3 to 1:2.

Additionally, the city is promoting initiatives such as the 'Busan-type 365 Open Hour Daycare Center Operation' to strengthen gap childcare, 'Daycare Center Meal and Snack Support' to promote healthy growth and development of infants and toddlers through balanced, high-quality meals and snacks, and 'Expansion of One Childcare Support Center per District' to provide childcare services without regional disparities.

On July 18, Busan City and the Office of Education announced the 'Care and Education Connection Project,' presenting a new paradigm of cooperation that transcends the boundaries between education and care, the first of its kind nationwide between a local government and an education office. They have also worked jointly to eliminate the gap in meal and snack costs between daycare centers and kindergartens, making every effort to create a safe and high-quality childcare environment.

The award ceremony will be held at 2 p.m. on the 19th at the Park Ballroom of Conrad Seoul Hotel. About 50 people, including the Vice Minister of Health and Welfare, heads of related organizations, and childcare merit awardees, are expected to attend.

Mayor Park Hyung-jun said, “This award is the result of the efforts of Busan City and its districts and counties to create a childcare environment where parents can entrust their children with peace of mind. It is also thanks to the childcare staff and related personnel who are doing their best for the safety and happiness of children despite the challenges of low birth rates.” He added, “Our city will continue to do its best to create ‘a city good for giving birth and raising children, a city where children are happy, and a city where people want to live again’.”

Busan City Hall.

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