Gyeonggi Province Expands 24-Hour Childcare Centers to 14 Locations

Gyeonggi Province has expanded its 'Always Childcare Center,' a 24-hour care facility, from 11 to 14 locations.

The Always Childcare Center is a childcare facility that operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, not only on weekdays but also on weekends, public holidays, at night, and in the early morning. It allows parents to safely entrust their children whenever care is needed, such as in emergencies or when there is a gap in family caregiving.

Gyeonggi Province launched the Always Childcare Center in five cities and counties in June last year, expanded to six additional locations in the first half of this year, and added three more in the second half, including Pocheon, Gunpo, and Gwangmyeong. As of now, 14 centers are operating in 12 cities and counties.

The Always Childcare Center is available to guardians residing in Gyeonggi Province who have infants or young children (aged six months or older and under seven, prior to entering elementary school). The centers operate from 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 a.m. the following day. Reservations can be made for up to five consecutive days per booking, and the usage fee is 3,000 won per hour.

Gyeonggi-do Always Childcare Center Poster

Those wishing to use the service can contact the 'Child Always Care Center (010-9979-7722).' However, advance reservations for night and early morning care must be made by 6:00 p.m. the previous day.

Guardians or applicants must bring identification and either a resident registration certificate or a family relation certificate to verify their relationship with the child (foreigners must provide a certificate of alien registration). Items such as diapers, individual bedding, extra clothes, and snacks required for the child must also be prepared individually.

Ko Hyunsook, Director of Childcare Policy at Gyeonggi Province, stated, "We will continue to expand the 'Always Childcare Center' so that working parents and those experiencing gaps in caregiving can entrust their children with peace of mind at any time," adding, "We will do our best to reduce the burden of child-rearing for parents and to create an inclusive childcare environment where children can grow up safely and happily."

As of September this year, approximately 890 infants and young children have used the Always Childcare Center, an increase of about 330 compared to 560 last year.

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