육아정책의 회고와 전망

Abstract

This study examines the historical development and future directions of early childhood policy in Korea through an institutional analysis of the Korea Institute of Child Care and Education(KICCE) over the past two decades. Established in 2005 as a national policy research institute specializing in early childhood education and care(ECEC), KICCE has contributed to the formulation and expansion of evidence-based childcare policies amid rapid demographic, social, and economic transformations, including persistent low fertility, changing family structures, and increasing societal demand for childcare services. The study aims to reconstruct the trajectory of Korean early childhood policy alongside the institutional evolution of KICCE and to identify emerging policy challenges in an era characterized by demographic decline and growing social uncertainty. Drawing on institutional archives, policy reports, and historical documentation, the study analyzes major phases of policy and organizational development, focusing on how research activities supported policy innovation and system reform. The findings suggest that KICCE played a critical role in consolidating fragmented research areas into an integrated policy framework, advancing discussions on public responsibility for childcare, and strengthening evidence-based policymaking through longitudinal data initiatives such as the Panel Study on Korean Children. The analysis identifies a gradual expansion of research scope from foundational policy infrastructure to more diversified themes, including family diversity, child rights, regional disparities, and integrated care systems. In recent years, the institute has further strengthened data-driven research and international collaboration, contributing to comparative policy learning and global knowledge exchange. The study argues that future early childhood policy must move beyond sector-specific approaches toward an integrated social policy framework addressing technological transformation, climate risks, and evolving care environments. It concludes that strengthening long-term research capacity, enhancing policy–practice linkages, and securing stable institutional foundations are essential for sustaining evidence-based early childhood policy in Korea. By situating institutional history within broader policy change, this study provides insights into the role of specialized research institutes in shaping sustainable and inclusive ECEC systems.