Gwanak-type Childcare Center 'I-rang' Operates 6 Branches... Establishing Care Infrastructure

Providing a Safe Play Environment and Creating a Parent Co-Parenting Space for Infants and Early Elementary Care
'Irang Euncheon Branch' Newly Opened in February, Operating 6 Locations in Gwanak-gu
Gwanak-gu Fully Committed to Establishing Effective Care Infrastructure to Address Low Birth Rates

Gwanak-gu (District Mayor Park Jun-hee) is drawing attention with its hub-type infant and toddler play space, ‘Gwanak-style Childcare Center I-rang,’ which is operated with the goal of creating a child-friendly childcare environment.

Gwanak-style Childcare Center ‘I-rang’ is a self-help meeting space where parents gather to share information related to parenting and jointly raise their children.

Since opening the I-rang Nanhyang branch in 2019, the district has been operating the ▲Daehak-dong branch ▲Nakseongdae branch ▲Boramae branch ▲Sinsa branch, and in February of this year, it newly opened the ‘I-rang Euncheon branch’ on the second floor of the Euncheon-dong community facility, bringing the total number of branches to six.

In particular, the ‘I-rang Euncheon branch’ reflects the recent social trend of increasing dual-income families and growing demand for childcare spaces by expanding its target to include not only infants and toddlers but also lower-grade elementary school students from dual-income families.

I-rang not only provides a play space where children can run and play freely regardless of weather and seasons to fill the childcare gap, but also serves as a communal childcare venue where parents can reduce the burden of parenting through cooperative activities, gaining popularity.

Last year, a total of 9,684 people used the free play spaces across all I-rang branches, and 5,630 people participated in non-face-to-face specialized programs, receiving great responses from residents.

I-rang opens free play spaces equipped with toys three times a day from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and operates differentiated programs tailored to the characteristics of each neighborhood branch, allowing for various experiences.

This year’s branch-specific programs include ▲Nakseongdae branch’s ‘Activator Training Education’ and ‘Culture and Parent Education Programs,’ ▲Nanhyang branch’s ‘Infant and Toddler Specialized (Music) Program’ and ‘Programs for Prospective and New Parents,’ ▲Boramae branch’s ‘Parent-Infant Five Senses Integrated Development Play,’ ▲Sinsa branch’s ‘Infant and Toddler Specialized (Music) Program’ and ‘Parent Participation Program,’ ▲Daehak-dong branch’s ‘Rhythm Toktok Music Play’ for families with infants and toddlers and ‘Dad and Child’ for dual-income families, and ▲Euncheon branch’s ‘Self-Exploration and Career Exploration’ for lower-grade elementary school children, offering programs that families can enjoy together.

Park Jun-hee, Mayor of Gwanak-gu, said, “I hope Gwanak-style Childcare Center I-rang will establish itself as a care space where parents’ childcare burdens are alleviated and families and neighbors can communicate together,” adding, “We will continue to do our best to build childcare infrastructure to create an environment where parents can raise their children with peace of mind in response to low birth rates.”

For more details on educational programs, please check the ‘I-rang’ branch usage guide on the Gwanak-gu Office website (→ Participation/Reservation).

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