Understanding kindergarten
Kindergartens are education institutions under the Ministry of Education. Daycare centres are under the Ministry of Health and Welfare.
How it differs from daycare
| Daycare | Kindergarten | |
|---|---|---|
| Ministry | Health and Welfare | Education |
| Age range | From infancy | Pre-school children |
| Application | childcare.go.kr | Cheoeum Hakgyo-ro |
| Hours | Generally longer | Centred on the curriculum (after-school is separate) |
Steps
- Look at kindergartens near you. Consider both public and private.
- Apply online via Cheoeum Hakgyo-ro. Admission periods are fixed — don't miss them.
- Check the result. Places are often allocated by lottery.
- Register and submit documents.
- Apply for the tuition support. Community centre or Bokjiro.
What you need
- ID for the child and parents
- Family relationship documents
- Vaccination records
- The National Happiness card (for tuition support)
Where to go
- Cheoeum Hakgyo-ro (kindergarten admission system)
- Ministry of Education www.moe.go.kr · your district education office
- Your local community service centre
- 1577-1366 Danuri Helpline (interpretation)
Questions people ask
Daycare or kindergarten — which is better? It depends on the child's age, your working hours and the distance. Daycare generally opens for longer.
I missed the admission period. Additional rounds run when places open up. Contact the kindergarten directly.
Can foreign-national children attend? Admission is possible. Check tuition support eligibility separately.
Will my child manage without Korean? Tell the kindergarten and they can help. Combine it with Family Center support for children.
Take care
After-school classes, special activities and the school bus are often charged separately. Check the total cost before registering.
Related
daycare-enrollment · childcare-support · child-education-support
Source
Ministry of Education www.moe.go.kr / As of 2026-08