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Children at a daycare facility in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province, take part in playtime. (Jung Yong-il/The Hankyoreh)

Gyeonggi Province announced Tuesday that it will be expanding eligibility for childcare vouchers for foreign nationals. Currently, foreign national children aged 3-5 are eligible for vouchers for childcare, but under the new system, the age range will be expanded to include children aged 0-5.

There are currently around 9,300 foreign national children ages 0-5 in childcare in Gyeonggi Province, with a nearly even split between infants under the age of 2 (4,900) and those aged 3-5 (4,400). This policy change will make Gyeonggi the first of the provinces or metropolitan cities in Korea to expand childcare vouchers to the younger age group.

To apply for the voucher, both the child and its guardian(s) must have resided in Gyeonggi for more than 90 days, and the child must be enrolled at a childcare or daycare facility located within the province. Those eligible may apply through their childcare facility by submitting relevant documents including proof of alien registration.

Once city or county authorities confirm an applicant’s eligibility, they will be issued the same voucher as Korean nationals. Those considering applying are encouraged to call the Gyeonggi helpline (120) or the agency that oversees childcare services in their city or county for additional details.

Yoon Yeong-mi, who oversees childcare policy for the province, said, “By reducing, at least in part, the childcare burden for foreign national parents, we’re working our hardest to address childcare blindspots so that foreign national children are made to feel at home without discrimination when it comes to childcare.”

By Kim Gi-seong, South Gyeonggi correspondent

Please direct questions or comments to [english@hani.co.kr]