유보통합을 위한 법제 개선 및 통합법 제정 방안

Abstract

This study examines the legal and institutional reforms necessary to integrate Korea’s dual-track Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) system. Although the 2023 amendment to the Government Organization Act transferred childcare responsibilities to the Ministry of Education, integration remains constrained by fragmented legal frameworks, inconsistent standards, divided fiscal responsibilities, and overlapping regulatory authorities. Through a provision-by-provision comparison of the Early Childhood Education Act and the Child Care Act, this study identifies inconsistencies, redundancies, and regulatory gaps across governance, personnel qualifications, finance, safety, and support services. Based on these findings, it proposes legislative options for a consolidated ECEC Act aimed at establishing integrated governance, unifying fiscal and administrative accountability, harmonizing standards, and strengthening rights-based developmental support for young children.