Enrolling in Korean Daycare

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Interested in enrolling your child in a Korean daycare? We love Korean daycare and we think it’s a great idea but you also need to go into the experience with eyes wide open. Keep reading to learn more.

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About Daycare in South Korea

South of Seoul volunteers have witnessed both success stories and uncomfortable experiences regarding international residents enrolling their children in Korean daycare. The success of a daycare placement tends to involve adaptability and strong communication skills from both the families and the daycare workers. Additionally, success begins with managing expectations and having some advanced awareness of the system. We hope this blog post can support parents in these two areas.

Seeing successful international integration into Korean daycares is important to South of Seoul. Many South of Seoul volunteers deeply appreciate Korean daycares and the care they provide. We like how attentive the staff is to students. Kids are taken care of well by staff that cares about their healthy development. In fact, many of us have worked in early childcare in South Korea so we have witnessed such care firsthand.

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Additionally, South of Seoul volunteers have witnessed the cultural differences between Korean staff and parents from other countries. We have seen the struggles with communication between the school and the parents which feels frustrating for everyone. It takes a great deal of empathy, communication, and flexibility on behalf of both parents and staff to make the experience work for everyone.

As an international resident in Korea, expect to run into many frustrations during your child’s first 3 to 6 months as you learn about hidden culture (seriously, read about this concept). It will take time and end up being a wonderful growth experience for each member of your family.

Differences Between Korean and U.S.A. Daycare

There are several differences between Korean daycare and American daycare you should know about before enrolling in Korean daycare. It’s impossible to write a detailed list of the differences since daycare culture in North America also differs greatly depending on where you live. However, we can list some general categories or topics where parents experience culture shock when using Korean daycares. Here are some of the key differences:

Age group

In Korea, daycare centers mainly serve children between the ages of 3 months and 5 years, while American daycare centers typically serve children between the ages of 6 weeks to 5 years old.

Curriculum

Korean daycare centers tend to have a more structured curriculum with a focus on academic preparation, such as learning to read and write Korean characters. American daycare centers tend to focus more on play-based learning and socialization.

Cost

Korean daycare tends to be more affordable than American daycare, with some government-subsidized options available.

Hours of operation

Korean daycare centers often operate for longer hours than American daycare centers, typically from early morning until late evening. This is because many Korean parents work long hours and may not be able to pick up their children until later in the day.

Staffing

In Korea, daycare centers tend to have a higher staff-to-child ratio than American daycare centers, with multiple teachers assigned to each classroom. Additionally, Korean daycare centers may require their staff to have a higher level of education or certification.

Meals

Korean daycare centers typically provide meals for the children, with a focus on healthy and nutritious Korean food. American daycare centers may provide meals or snacks, but it is often up to the parents to pack their child’s food.

Uniforms

Some daycares may require parents to purchase certain clothing such as uniforms or tracksuits. In America, daycares do not often require special uniforms or clothing.

It’s important to note that these are generalizations and there may be variations within both Korean and American daycare centers. Your experiences with Korean daycare may include their own types of issues, surprises, joys, and frustrations. We all come to Korea with our own social lens and embedded cultural expectations that color our perceptions. Be prepared to analyze your feelings a lot as you interact with education in a new country.

Comparing Prices Between Korea and U.S.A. Daycare

The cost of daycare may vary widely in both Korea and the United States, and it’s difficult to make a direct comparison. However, in general, Korean daycare tends to be more affordable than American daycare. It’s important to know what costs to expect before enrolling your child in Korean Daycare

According to a 2021 report by the Center for American Progress, the average cost of full-time care for an infant in a center-based daycare in the United States was $16,000 per year. The cost for a preschool-aged child was slightly lower per year. However, these costs can vary widely depending on the location, quality of care, and other factors.

In Korea, the government provides subsidies for daycare to help make it more affordable for families. According to a report by the Korea Herald, the average monthly cost for full-time daycare in Korea is around 430,000 won, or about $375 USD per month. After subsidies, the Korean Herald wrote that Korean parents pay around 200,00 KRW a month. This is significantly less than the average cost of daycare in the United States.

However, it’s important to note that while Korean daycare may be more affordable on average, the quality of care and services provided may vary widely depending on the specific daycare center.

Additionally, some foreign families may be eligible for Korean local government subsidies or assistance to help with the cost of daycare, depending on their income and other factors. You can learn more about Korean childcare discounts by reading the South of Seoul blog post, Daycare and Kindergarten Discounts for Foreign Residents.

Factors Impacting Korean Daycare Prices

Korean daycare costs vary depending on a variety of factors. Korea is not all the same with only one price and one type of daycare. Therefore, it’s impossible to tell you the exact price of daycare. However, we can let you know what may impact the costs. Several factors can impact the price of Korean daycare, including:

Location:

The cost of daycare can vary depending on where you live in Korea. For example, daycare centers in larger cities may be more expensive than those in rural areas.

Age of child

The cost of daycare can also depend on the age of the child. Younger children may require more attention and care, which can make the cost of daycare higher.

Quality of care

Higher-quality daycare centers may charge more for their services. This can include centers with more experienced staff, more comprehensive educational programs, and better facilities.

Hours of operation

Daycare centers that are open for longer hours may charge more for their services, as they are providing more hours of care.

Government subsidies

As mentioned earlier, the Korean government provides subsidies for daycare to help make it more affordable for families. The amount of subsidy a family receives can depend on their income and other factors. Learn more in our blog post Daycare and Kindergarten Discounts for Foreign Residents.

Additional services

Some daycare centers may offer additional services, such as transportation or meals, which can add to the overall cost.

Competition

In areas with a high demand for daycare, the cost may be higher due to competition for limited spots at high-quality centers.

Multi-lingual Staff

Daycares that provide multi-lingual staff have higher costs due to staffing needs.

Cross-cultural Programming

Daycares that provide unique programming for multi-national clients have high costs for maintaining such systems and therefore have high costs.

Overall, the price of Korean daycare can vary widely depending on these factors and others. It’s important to research different daycare centers in your area and compare costs and services to find the best option for your family’s needs and budget. You can’t simply ask a person in Gangwon-do (a mostly rural region) the price of daycare and expect the same prices in Gangnam (a neighborhood in Seoul).

Finding Korean Daycares and Kindergartens

Korea has two important websites for researching where to send your child for their early childhood education. One website reviews daycare/childcare and the other reviews kindergartens. Such online portals allow parents to review the daycares and kindergartens. Parents can read through to find the ones that they are interested in and then go visit the daycares or kindergartens to ask for placement. You can not apply via the websites, only search and learn which ones you might be interested in.

The previously mentioned websites reviewing daycare/childcare and kindergartens are only in Korean. This means that 1) you may need to install Google Translate to your browser to help read them and 2) you may struggle to navigate the sites because they have a different type of user experience.

In larger cities, the top daycares or kindergartens have a hearty waiting list. Parents often enroll their children as soon as the parents learn they are pregnant. You may need to search around to find a location for your child. In more rural areas, daycares and kindergartens may have more spaces available but it just depends on the situation.

Support Groups for Daycare

Make sure to join the Daycare centers in Korea (ORINIJIP) Facebook group. The group provides support for parents by parents. You will find other parents who can help answer questions as well as information already shared in the group. Remember to always use the group’s “search” feature first, and then ask carefully thought questions so that others feel empowered to help you.

Korean Daycare Parental Communication Systems

Korean daycare centers use a variety of methods to communicate with parents, Additionally, managing communication with the daycare may feel like one of the most frustrating parts of having a child attend Korean daycare. Such communication systems may include a combination of the following:

  • In-person conversations: Teachers and daycare staff may speak directly with parents when they drop off or pick up their children.
  • Communication books: Some daycare centers use communication books or daily reports to update parents on their child’s day. These books may include information about what the child ate, how they slept, and any activities they participated in.
  • Phone calls or text messages: Teachers or daycare staff may contact parents via phone or text message to provide updates or ask questions.
  • Parent-teacher conferences: Some daycare centers may schedule regular meetings between parents and teachers to discuss the child’s progress and development.
  • Mobile apps: Some Korean daycare centers use mobile apps to communicate with parents. These apps may include features such as daily reports, photos, and messaging.
  • Newsletters: Some daycare centers may send out regular newsletters to update parents on center news, upcoming events, and other important information.

Overall, Korean daycare centers place a strong emphasis on communication with parents, as it is seen as an important part of providing quality care for children. Parents can expect to receive regular updates and have opportunities to communicate with teachers and staff about their child’s development and progress. Make sure you are ready for this level of communication before enrolling in Korean daycare

Communication Expectations

In addition, Korean daycare staff expects IMMEDIATE responses to any text information. It’s a Korean cultural standard to respond within 10 minutes to messages involving children. At least take the time to explain your situation. South of Seoul created a list of common responses parents can use when communicating with schools:

EnglishKorean
(name) will be late to school(00:00).(name) will be late to school(00:00).
(name) will be late to school(00:00).(name)은 학교에 늦을 거예요(00:00).
(name) will not go to school today.(name)은 오늘 학교에 가지 않을 거예요.
I will come at (time) to pick-up (name).저는 (name)를 일찍(00:00) 데리고 갈 것입니다.
What time does school begin today?오늘 학교는 몇 시에 시작합니까?
What time does school get out today?오늘 학교는 몇 시에 끝나나요?
(name) is sick.(name)은 아파요.
(name) will go to the hospital today.(name)은 오늘 병원에 갈 거예요.
(name) is allergic to (Food name).(name)은 (food name)에 알레르기가 있습니다.
What school supplies does (need) tomorrow?(name)이 내일 학교에서 필요한 준비물은 무엇입니까?
Does (name) have homework today(name)은 오늘 숙제가 있나요?
Yes, I understand.네, 이해했습니다.
Yes, that’s ok. / Yes, that’s fine.예, 괜찮아요.

Emotional of Impact of Second Language on Children

Enrolling children in a daycare that speaks another language can have both positive and negative impacts, depending on the child’s age, the language being spoken, and the child’s language background.

Positive impacts may include:

Bilingualism

Enrolling children in a daycare that speaks another language can expose them to a new language and help them develop bilingualism. Research has shown that bilingualism can have cognitive benefits, such as better problem-solving and cognitive flexibility.

Cultural exposure

Children in a language immersion daycare can also learn about different cultures and traditions. This can help them develop an appreciation for diversity and broaden their worldview.

Improved language skills

Children who are exposed to another language early on may have an easier time learning the language and achieving fluency.

However, there can also be negative impacts, such as:

Difficulty adjusting

Children who are not used to speaking or hearing the language spoken in the daycare may initially struggle to adjust to the new environment and communicate with their teachers and peers.

Language confusion

If the child’s home language is different from the daycare language, they may experience language confusion and have difficulty differentiating between the two languages.

Delayed language development

In some cases, children who are exposed to a new language may experience a temporary delay in their language development as they adjust to the new language and environment.

Overall, the impact of enrolling children in a Korean daycare that speaks another language can vary depending on the individual child’s language background and development. It’s important for parents to carefully consider the potential benefits and challenges before making a decision.

Possible Documentation Required for Daycare Registration

To enroll a child in daycare in Korea parents or legal guardians need to provide paperwork. Such paperwork may change based on the administrative district. Korea has a locally focused government which means each area may choose to change its paperwork slightly. Parents or legal guardians may need to provide such documentation as:

  1. Child’s birth certificate or passport to verify the child’s age
  2. Health records and proof of immunizations to ensure the child is up-to-date on vaccinations
  3. Identification of the parent or legal guardian, such as a passport or Korean Foreign Registration Card (FRC) also known as an Alien Registration Card (ARC)
  4. Proof of income, such as a tax statement or pay stubs, to determine eligibility for government subsidies or financial assistance
  5. Enrollment application form provided by the daycare center
  6. Emergency contact information for the child, such as phone numbers and addresses for relatives or close friends who can be contacted in case of emergency
  7. Korean bank account information for automatic payment of fees and charges (Foreign accounts will not be accepted)
  8. Consent form and authorization to use the child’s image or likeness for promotional purposes, if applicable
  9. Various forms other forms specific to the daycare itself

Once again, requirements may vary depending on the specific daycare center and location, so it is recommended to contact the center directly for a complete list of required documents.

Additional Information

You should also read the following blog posts by other organizations.The more you read the better you will be informed when you enroll your child in Korean daycare.

Let Us Know What Information We Missed

Thank you for taking the time to listen to this long blog post about daycare in South Korea. If there are any other issues you come across that you feel need to be included in an article about enrolling in Korean daycare, let us know! We are always improving our information. Good luck!