People Power Party Announces Childcare Service Pledge: "Neulbom Schools in All Elementary Schools from 2nd Semester"

The People Power Party announced on the 25th that from the second semester of this year, Neulbom School will be fully implemented in all elementary schools nationwide. They also plan to extend Neulbom School operating hours until parents finish work.

On the 15th, Han Dong-hoon, Emergency Response Committee Chairman of the People Power Party, and Yoon Jae-ok, Floor Leader, posed holding a delivery box symbolizing the "Policy Order and Delivery Project" at the launch ceremony of the 22nd General Election Pledge Development Headquarters held at the National Assembly. From the left are Jeong Woo-sung, Pohang University of Science and Technology professor and co-chief director, Floor Leader Yoon, Chairman Han, Yoo Ui-dong, Policy Committee Chairman and co-chief director, and Hong Seok-cheol, Seoul National University professor. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

Yu Ui-dong, the Policy Committee Chair of the People Power Party, announced the second pledge to strengthen childcare services for children as part of the general election pledge ‘Work and Family Happiness for All.’ First, they plan to expand the operation of Neulbom School, which cares for children from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. in all elementary schools.

Additionally, to improve the quality of Neulbom School, they will develop and distribute high-quality educational programs such as STEAM education, maker education, one-person-one-instrument education, and English education. Neulbom School will also be gradually made free of charge: full free provision for first graders and vulnerable groups next year, expansion to grades 2?3 in 2026, and stepwise expansion to grades 4?6 in 2027.

They also plan to solve elementary school childcare and meal issues during vacations by expanding Neulbom School during vacation periods.

The target for childcare services for infants and toddlers will also be expanded.

The People Power Party stated that the supply sources for hourly childcare services, which are in high demand during specific times (after school until before parents finish work), will be expanded to include private childcare services, parents, grandparents, and others. The existing Ministry of Gender Equality and Family’s childcare services will focus on full-day and half-day care for infants and toddlers with high demand.

The support method will also change by abolishing the government’s income criteria and providing a fixed amount of service cost in the form of vouchers to all households in need of the service. The government will determine the voucher support amount considering income, number of children, dual-income status, single-parent status, region, and other factors. In cases of grandparental care, the government will support it in connection with senior job programs.

They also promised a new semester leap voucher support worth about 1 million KRW annually. The People Power Party decided to provide 500,000 KRW at the beginning of each semester from first grade to third year of high school to support the development and growth of children starting a new semester, not as a child allowance. However, the use of the support fund will be restricted to prevent it from being used for private academy fees.

The childcare support system will also be changed from the existing cash support system to an integrated management method. Currently, when converting to childcare services or grandparental care services from cash support, additional benefits will be provided. An integrated management account will be newly established for each child to allow flexible use at the desired time and in the desired manner.

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