Last year, households with infants spent an average of 1,116,000 won per month on childcare costs. This is an increase of 140,000 won compared to the previous survey in 2021 (976,000 won).
The Ministry of Education announced the results of the '2024 National Infant Care Survey' containing these details on the 20th.
This survey is conducted every three years according to the Infant Care Act. It was first conducted in 2004, making this the seventh time. The survey targets 2,494 households receiving childcare and education costs, as well as 3,058 daycare centers.
The survey results consist of general characteristics and the current status of the use of childcare and education services for households raising infants. The daycare centers will provide results regarding their operational status and related findings about childcare teachers.
First, the average number of family members in surveyed infant households was found to be 3.5. This shows a continuous decrease from 3.9 in 2018 and 3.8 in 2021. The employment rate of fathers in infant households was recorded at 97%, and for mothers, it was 64.2%. Compared to the last survey, the father's rate increased by 1.8 percentage points, while the mother's rate increased by 10.1 percentage points.
The utilization rate of childcare institutions in infant households was highest at daycare centers, which stood at 55.3%. This was followed by kindergartens at 26.5%, and part-time academies at 2.5%. In addition, 15.7% indicated they do not use any separate institution.
The experience of taking parental leave was most common among mothers at 34.5%. Cases where fathers took leave alone were at 3.6%, and those where both parents utilized it were at 6.1%. All these figures showed a slight increase compared to the previous survey. In the 2021 survey, 32.6% of mothers took parental leave alone, while fathers alone accounted for 2.1%, and both parents accounted for 2.4%.
The primary difficulties experienced by the main caregivers in employed infant households were identified as emergencies (3.3 points), early morning commutes (3.2 points), and late working hours (3.2 points).
The age at which infants first utilize childcare and education institutions was surveyed to be 19.8 months. Daycare centers were identified as the first institution used by infants at 97.3%, while kindergartens were at 1.9%.
The most significant consideration when choosing a daycare center was the distance from home (32.8%). In the case of kindergartens, the program (26.8%) was the primary consideration.
The average utilization time at daycare centers is 7 hours and 31 minutes per day, which is an increase of 19 minutes from 2021. For kindergartens, the utilization time is 7 hours and 20 minutes, which is an increase of 16 minutes.
The average monthly expense burden for guardians based on the overall infant population was found to be 146,000 won. The total burden cost for guardians using daycare centers is an average of 70,000 won per month, which is an increase of 14,000 won compared to 2021. In contrast, for kindergartens, it decreased by 12,000 won to 177,000 won.
Additionally, it was surveyed that daycare centers operate for an average of 12 hours and 8 minutes on weekdays. The percentage of those operating extended childcare programs is 94.2%, which is higher than the 86% recorded in 2021.
The average monthly salary for 15,947 daycare teachers was recorded at 2,873,000 won, which is a 9% increase compared to 2021.
The lunch and break time for daycare teachers is 60 minutes, which is an increase of 8 minutes from 2021. The total working time per day, including lunch and break time, decreased by 5 minutes to 9 hours and 38 minutes.
In a rights protection survey targeting 3,000 daycare teachers participating in this survey, 17.7% responded that they have 'experienced rights violations during work.' This is a decrease compared to 30.1% found in the previous 2021 survey.
The primary perpetrators of rights violations (multiple responses) were guardians at 63.0%. This was followed by directors at 40.8%, fellow staff at 17.3%, daycare representatives at 1.7%, and outsourced companies at 0.8%. The types of rights violations included undue interference in childcare activities, work obstruction, others, and defamation or insult.
Kang Min-kyu, director of the Ministry of Education’s Infant Policy Bureau, said, 'Based on the results of this survey, we will promote various policies to alleviate the caregiving burden on guardians and realize work-life balance.'