Childcare (Daycare for Children)
Young children of foreign families can attend daycare (eorinijip — public/private) or kindergarten. To enroll, you can waitlist on the Childcare Portal (childcare.go.kr) or apply directly at a facility. However, government childcare subsidies are usually limited to nationals/marriage-migrant families; many foreign children pay fees directly. Some local governments offer their own support — always check.
What to bring
- ARC of child and guardian
- Proof of family relationship (birth certificate, etc.)
- Enrollment documents (varies by facility/locality)
- Proof of residence/address
- (If applicable) childcare/tuition subsidy application
Step by step
- 1Find daycare/kindergartens in your area (public or private)
- 2Waitlist via the Childcare Portal (childcare.go.kr) or apply directly at the facility
- 3Check if you qualify for childcare/tuition subsidies (varies by status/region)
- 4Consult a multicultural family support center — multilingual help available
Tips
- ⚠️ General foreign children often aren’t covered by government subsidies and may pay fees directly — confirm with your community center or ☎129.
- Some statuses (e.g., F-6 families) and local programs may offer support — always ask.
- Popular public daycares can have long waitlists — apply early.
- There are multicultural-family programs (childcare, language development) too (Danuri ☎1577-1366).
Key contacts
- Health & Welfare Call Center ☎129
- Danuri Call Center ☎1577-1366 (multicultural)
- Childcare helpdesk ☎1566-3232
- Childcare Portal www.childcare.go.kr
Related guides
This is general guidance and may change over time. Always verify the latest details with the official source before applying.
Last updated: 2026-06-09