Pyeongtaek City Invites Applications for "Dahamkke Care Centers" to Fill Elementary After-School Care Gap

City to Expand "Dahamkke Care Centers" in Apartment Complexes
Two Additional Centers to Be Established in 2026
Up to 70% Priority Admission for Residents' Children Upon Selection

Pyeongtaek City in Gyeonggi Province (Mayor Jung Jangsun) is launching a project to invite applications for the establishment of "Dahamkke Care Centers" in order to address the gap in after-school care for elementary school students and to build a community-based care system.

Pyeongtaek City Hall view. Provided by Pyeongtaek City

The "Dahamkke Care Center" is a public facility that provides after-school, vacation, play, and learning-linked programs for elementary school students in need of care, regardless of household income. According to the Housing Act, newly built apartment complexes with more than 500 households are required to establish such centers. To meet increasing demand, the city is also expanding the installation of these centers in existing apartment complexes that are not subject to mandatory installation, through this application process.

With additional funding secured from national, provincial, and municipal budgets, Pyeongtaek City plans to open two more centers this year. This effort is expected to further strengthen the city’s comprehensive “community-based elementary care system” across the region.

This call for applications targets projects that utilize unused spaces within apartment complexes to establish new centers. Eligible applicants are those that can provide unused common facilities within apartment complexes free of charge, with a dedicated space of at least 66 square meters. In addition, for the safety of children, the center must be located on or below the fifth floor, and there must be no youth-harmful facilities within a 50-meter radius. The space must also be equipped with basic operational infrastructure, including water supply and drainage, as well as heating and cooling systems.

Selected apartment complexes will sign a 10-year rent-free agreement with Pyeongtaek City, and professional care services will be provided through private outsourcing. Notably, up to 70% of the center’s capacity will be reserved as a priority for children of residents in the selected complexes, offering tangible care benefits that residents can directly experience.

The application period runs from April 20 to May 12, 2026, with submissions accepted from May 11 until 6 p.m. on May 12. Applications can be submitted in person at the Child Welfare Division of Pyeongtaek City Hall or via email. Final selection will be made after document review and on-site inspections.

Mayor Jung Jangsun stated, “Only when our children are happy can the entire city be truly happy. We will continue to respect children as the holders of their rights and expand care policies that citizens can feel in their daily lives.”

He further emphasized, “By expanding the Dahamkke Care Centers, we will eliminate gaps in elementary school care and do our utmost to make Pyeongtaek a city where it is easy to raise children.”

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