Seongnam City in Gyeonggi Province, South Korea, is operating a low-cost childcare service called "Haenim Dalnim Playground" for 1,000 KRW per hour [1].
The initiative targets working parents who face sudden gaps in childcare, providing a reliable safety net for emergencies such as hospital visits. By offering flexible, hourly options, the city aims to reduce the logistical and financial burden on families.
The facility is open daily from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. [2]. To ensure availability, the city provides a structured booking system. Parents can make reservations online from two weeks up to one day in advance, while same-day bookings are handled via telephone [3].
Local residents have noted that the service replaces the need to rely on an unstable network of acquaintances for short-term help. Seok Yoo-jung, a resident of Seongnam City, said that she previously had to search for acquaintances to help with care. She said that being able to leave a child at a set time has been better when needing to visit a hospital urgently.
This government-run model focuses on accessibility and affordability to support the local workforce. By maintaining a low hourly rate [1], the city ensures that emergency care remains an option for all income levels, regardless of the parent's employment status.
“1,000 KRW per hour”
This initiative reflects a strategic government response to South Korea's systemic childcare challenges and declining birth rates. By providing a state-subsidized, hourly alternative to traditional full-day centers, Seongnam City is addressing the 'care gap' that often forces parents, particularly mothers, out of the workforce due to a lack of flexible support for non-standard hours.
