After-school care for your child

There are places for your child while you work. Most are free or very low cost.

The options

1. Elementary care classes — after-school care inside the school. Apply at the school.
2. Community child centres — local care facilities with snacks or meals, homework help and activities. Usually free.
3. Shared care centres — run by local governments.
4. After-school programmes — classes at school (arts, sports, English). Vouchers can cover the cost.
5. Child care service — a carer comes to your home. Subsidised by income.
6. Youth after-school academies — for middle school students.

Steps

1. Ask the class teacher or school office first. "I'd like to apply for after-school care."
2. Ask your community centre where the local child centre is.
3. Submit the application. Income documents may be needed.
4. If there is a waiting list, apply to several places.
5. Check how your child gets there and back.

What you need

• Child and parent identity documents
• Proof of enrolment
• Income documents (for subsidised places)
• Proof both parents work (employment certificates)

Where to go

• Your child's school (class teacher, office)
• Your local community service centre
• 129 health and welfare counselling
• 1577-1366 Danuri Helpline (13 languages)
• Child care service 1577-2514
• Your local Family Center

Questions people ask

Can a child who doesn't speak Korean attend? Yes. Being with peers actually improves their Korean and helps them settle at school.

My application was refused. Places are often short. Apply to community child centres and shared care centres as well.

Does it cost money? Community child centres are usually free. School care classes charge little more than snack costs. Income-based support exists.

Is there care into the evening? The child care service can adjust hours. Ask 1577-2514.

Take care

Applications cluster at the start of term. Ask the school and community centre before term begins. If Korean is hard, ask a Family Center to accompany you.

Related

child-education-support · daycare-enrollment · multicultural-child-support · youth-support

Source

Ministry of Health and Welfare www.mohw.go.kr / As of 2026-08