Daycare, Kindergarten, and Childcare

🧩Daycare vs kindergarten vs in-home care

• Daycare (eorinijip): childcare centers under Korea's Ministry of Health and Welfare, open from age 0 until school entry. Types include public, workplace, private, and home-based daycare. Long operating hours make them popular with dual-income families.
• Kindergarten (yuchiwon): school-type institutions under the Ministry of Education for children from age 3 until school entry. There are public (attached or standalone) and private kindergartens; they have vacations and run separate afternoon programs.
• Nuri Curriculum: children aged 3 to 5 follow the same national curriculum at both daycare and kindergarten.
• Childcare Service (in-home): government-supported care where a caregiver comes to your home. Used for infants too young for a center, or to fill gaps before and after drop-off or when a child is sick.
• Home care: if you do not use a center, different childcare allowance rules apply; see the Support Programs page.

🔍How to choose

Close by, trustworthy, and matched to your commute are the basics. A short trip tires both child and parent less. Always visit for a consultation, and if possible, look around while the children are there.

• How many children each teacher cares for, and whether teachers change often
• Ventilation, cleanliness, safety features, the playground, and outdoor time
• Whether menus are shared and how allergies are handled
• When they call you and send a sick child home, and the medication request process
• How the settling-in period works and whether parents can join
• Accreditation results and public disclosures (on the iSarang portal and the kindergarten disclosure site)
• Whether the director and teachers answer questions openly

🗂️How to apply

In Korea, daycare waitlists are handled through the iSarang portal. You can join several waitlists, and admission priority depends on factors such as dual income or multiple children. Public daycare can have long waits, so apply early.

Kindergarten applications go through the Cheoeum Hakgyoro portal during a set enrollment period, with places decided by lottery or selection. The next year's schedule usually comes out in the fall, so check dates ahead of time.

🌱The settling-in period

Starting at a center means a new place, new people, and separation from parents all at once. Crying or clinging is a natural response. Time spent there is usually increased gradually over one to two weeks or a few weeks.

Minor illnesses like colds can be frequent early on. It is partly how immunity builds when children are together, so planning ahead for backup care or leave on sick days helps reduce stress.

• For the first few days, stay 1 to 2 hours together, then gradually increase time alone.
• Say goodbye briefly and cheerfully; do not sneak away.
• Tell your child when you will return in terms they understand ("after snack time") and keep your word.
• With permission, send along a comfort object from home.
• Avoid stacking other big changes (starting potty training, moving) during settling in.
• After pickup, give plenty of cuddles and an early bedtime.

🚩Signs to watch

If after several weeks your child still strongly refuses every drop-off, clearly regresses in speech or toileting, or keeps waking at night frightened, talk with the teacher. Most of the time it is a difference in adjustment pace, but you need to work out together what your child finds hard.

💬FAQ