2013~2017 보육 중장기 발전방향

Abstract

The present study aimed to establish mid- and long-term goals for child care policies from 2013 through 2017. This study investigated the achievements of the child care policies implemented by the Korean government from 2008 through 2012, and the future tasks. Two-hundred ninety-two childcare policy experts consisting of professors, government officials, and professional workers at support centers, and parents of young children participated in the research. In addition, a critical review of literature on domestic and international child care policies was conducted along with secondary in-depth data collection through advisory meetings with childcare policy experts. Criteria for childcare policy were based on the national framework, affordable childcare costs for families, infrastructure and delivery system for diverse programs and services, quality improvement, professional development in the workforce, participation of supporting systems and parents, and quality assessment. A series of Chi-square analyses yielded six main frameworks for future policies. The results revealed that the current childcare policy is considered to focus on providing affordable childcare for parents. The findings also indicated that the current childcare policy contributed to the improvement of the delivery system, as well as, quality assurance regarding the environment, programs of and standards for childcare. Secondly, it is suggested to impose a stronger emphasis on the healthy development of children. Perspectives on childcare assistance to parents and subsidy support to service providers were varied by groups and specific contents. For quality improvement, increase in opportunities of professional development and development of a seamless delivery system is recommended. Lastly, implications of the findings and suggestions for future childcare policy development were discussed.