소규모 보육시설 운영모델 개발 연구

Abstract

This study aims to provide a specific operational model and guidelines for the efficient execution of the Ministry of Health & Welfare’s pilot program of building small-sized childcare facilities in farming and fishing communities, including those in mountainous, island, and remote areas. In addition, by reviewing the short-term effects of a pilot operation, the study aims to identify areas not only for future directions, but also for improvement and measures for smoother operation. Measures to provide qualitative support and appropriate operational models are also presented in this study.

The study aims to 1) develop an operational model of a small sized childcare facility for farming and fishing communities and present a number of support measures for an operational model; 2) evaluate the result of the pilot operation; and 3) identify diverse child care support measures for farming and fishing communities.

The study adopted the following research methodologies. First, related documentary and written data were collected and reviewed. The results of preceding studies, materials on related policies, and overseas case studies and data were collected and reviewed in order to identify implications for the study. The reviewed materials included the following: laws on the establishment and operation of national and public child care facilities and those in farming and fishing communities, the results of preceding studies, case studies of other similar operations, domestic and overseas case studies of child care support, and examples of region specific characteristics.

Second, two rounds of surveys were conducted in order to identify the potential demand. The first was administered to the staff members of 87 country offices and the other was administered to 352 residents of 10 gun and 54 myeon areas that were excluded from the first round. A participant satisfaction survey was conducted amongst the 71 residents of the six areas that participated in the pilot operation.

Third, interviews were conducted. To conduct pre- and post-evaluations, the researchers visited the six pilot regions where small sized facilities and others were in place and being operated, interviewed staff members, and made relevant observations.

Fourth, consultative meetings and workshops were held to obtain feedbacks and the opinions from local government officials and experts regarding the methods of operation.

In terms of the results of this study, the study concludes that the following should be further developed and included in a future child care service model for farming and fishing communities. Based on the findings of the pilot operations, the study also presents a number of more efficient operational methods and improvement measures. First, small sized child care facilities can serve as a viable alternative to public facilities in farming and fishing communities. In order to enhance the accessibility of such child care facilities, it is recommended that small sized facilities be provided by taking the regional distribution of existing facilities into consideration.

Second, travelling play buses can be a very good option for regions where building new child care facilities is not feasible. Travelling play buses can be operated to meet the child care and educational needs of such areas.

Third, the results of the pilot operation and survey clearly indicate that several improvements should be made for the parent cooperated play group.

Fourth, daycare centers can be instituted during busy farming seasons in sizable villages among small districts [Myeon] where no child care facility currently exits. These centers can complement the small-scale child care facilities of the region.

Fifth, semi-public family daycare in small island villages should limit their services to child care services for island dwellers. A business model for such services should be developed, especially as a symbolic gesture for proving the efficacy of child care services to residents of islands and remote areas. The study recommends also conducting a pilot operation.