Ministry of Education Selects 15 Outstanding Integrated Childcare Programs for Disabled and Non-Disabled Children

Awards Ceremony for the 2024 Excellent Programs for Inclusive Care of Children with Disabilities Contest

The Ministry of Education will hold the awards ceremony for the '2024 Excellent Programs for Inclusive Care of Children with Disabilities Contest' on the 21st at the Baekbeom Kim Koo Memorial Hall in Yongsan-gu, Seoul.

Since 2012, the government has annually selected and awarded outstanding programs directly developed and operated by childcare staff who provide inclusive care for children with disabilities.

This year marks the 13th contest, with a total of about 120 programs submitted, of which 15 excellent programs were selected. One grand prize and two excellence awards will be presented with the Minister of Education Award.

The grand prize winner, Siheung City Public Daeya Daycare Center in Gyeonggi Province, promoted interaction among young children through the sensory integration play program "Awakening the Senses and Shining through Play," enhancing the emotional stability of children with developmental disabilities and providing opportunities for children with and without developmental disabilities to naturally interact.

The excellence award-winning program "Caterpillar Flies in the Sky" (Geumcheon-gu Public Haeya Haeya Daycare Center, Seoul) supported children with severe disabilities to naturally consume food and engage in meal activities, promoting their physical and psychological development. Additionally, "Speak with Hands, Listen with Heart" (Cheongcheon 1-dong Daycare Center, Incheon) provided young children with more enjoyable and diverse interaction opportunities between children with and without disabilities through communication using hand and body gestures.

Lee Ju-ho, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education, stated, "The passion of childcare staff who consider programs necessary for children on the ground will be an important driving force in leading the inclusive childcare environment for children with disabilities in a better direction," adding, "The government will continue to expand specialized daycare centers for children with disabilities and inclusive daycare centers so that young children with disabilities can receive high-quality childcare services."

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