Abstract
Abstract The aim of this study is to explore models for integrated policies and systems of early childhood education and childcare in Korea. We proposed five prospective models and offered a possible roadmap toward the integration of administrative systems. The roadmap was constructed after obtaining feedback from professionals in the fields and by evaluating the advantages and limitations of each of the prospective models that were developed. After identifying significant disagreements among stakeholders, we recommended a roadmap for integration which could minimize the conflicts among key groups. We presented specific tasks to explore before undertaking the administrative integration. The suggested tasks included integrating the two existing committees of early childhood education and childcare under the supervision of the Prime Minister, accommodating the functions of kindergartens and childcare facilities, integrating teacher training and qualification systems, and equalizing public financial support and regulatory systems between the two sectors.
Highlights
Childhood education and childcare in Korea have been separately developed in their distinctive sectors for a long period. 1 Historically speaking, kindergartens have been likely to provide fairly affluent children with educational programs since Nanam Kindergarten, the first kindergarten in Korea was established in 1909 for 60 children
This article is a part of A study on cooperation and integration of early childhood education and care to improve the efficiency of national policies for young children (Rhee, Kim, Shin, Moon and Choi, 2006)
Research on the integration issue is required in terms of five aspects of ECEC policy in Korea. These are: (a) changes in the political and societal environment for ECEC policies have led to similar functions of services at kindergartens and childcare facilities, and the government’s interest in cooperation and integration measures are being forged, (b) the two sectors of ECEC require measures for mutual communication, cooperation and integration, (c) there is a need to develop policy alternatives to boost rationality and equity in allocating the ECEC budget, (d) an integrated approach within ECEC as a topic of the world’s universal childcare policy must be sought, and (e) proactive and specific research is required on the integration of early childhood education and childcare to overcome the limitations of the previous
Summary
These are: (a) changes in the political and societal environment for ECEC policies have led to similar functions of services at kindergartens and childcare facilities, and the government’s interest in cooperation and integration measures are being forged, (b) the two sectors of ECEC require measures for mutual communication, cooperation and integration, (c) there is a need to develop policy alternatives to boost rationality and equity in allocating the ECEC budget, (d) an integrated approach within ECEC as a topic of the world’s universal childcare policy must be sought, and (e) proactive and specific research is required on the integration of early childhood education and childcare to overcome the limitations of the previous. This research will propose realistic models and specific tasks to realize Korea’s ECEC cooperation and integration resulting from surveying staff working with young children at kindergartens and childcare facilities, interviewing public officials and academic professionals in the field, and in-depth reviews on domestic and foreign studies
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary 
Published Version (
Free)
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callMore From: International Journal of Child Care and Education Policy
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
