Article 1(Purpose) #
The purpose of this Act is to provide educational environment most proper for children in their early childhood so that they may be educated in such a way as both their mind and body develop harmoniously, and at the same time, various educational needs of their parents or guardians may be satisfied.
Article 2(Definitions) #
The definitions of terms used in this Act shall be as follows:
1. The term “children in their early childhood” means from those of 3 years of age up to those right before their first enrollment at an elementary school;
2. The term “early childhood education” means school education that provides children in their early childhood with such an educational curriculum that is most appropriate for their developmental characteristics and is executed in a variety of teaching methods;
3. The term “kindergarten” means such a school that was founded and is being operated for the purpose of early childhood education pursuant to the Elementary and Secondary Education Act; and
4. The term “protectors” means people with parental rights for, legal guardians for, or those who are virtual protectors of, the child in question.
Article 3(Responsibilities of State and Local Governments) #
(1) The State and local governments shall share with protectors of children the responsibility of educating the children in a sound or healthy manner.
(2) For the purpose of promoting early childhood education, the State and local governments shall carry out the following policies:
1. Establishment of a comprehensive plan for early childhood education;
2. Improvement of the contents and methods of early childhood education;
3. Development and propagation of teaching materials and equipment for early childhood education;
4. Training and in-service training of teachers for early childhood education;
5. Foundation and operation of kindergartens;
6. Financial support for covering educational expenses needed for early childhood education; and
7. Other policies needed for the promotion of early childhood education.
(3) With respect to such local governments of which the policies or budget allocation for early childhood education are acknowledged to fall short of a proper level, the State may ask them to expand the budget or to take other necessary measures.
Article 4(Free Education) #
(1) The early childhood education for one year right before the first enrollment at an elementary school shall be given free in principle. But, in consideration of the current financial conditions of the State, the free early childhood education shall be executed gradually in such an order as prescribed by the Presidential Decree.
(2) The expenses needed for the free early childhood education as referred to in the provisions of paragraph (1), shall be borne by the State and local governments: with respect to private kindergartens, part of their necessary expenses shall be subsidized by the State and local governments.
Article 5(Early Childhood Education Promotion Committee) #
(1) The Special Metropolitan City, Metropolitan City or Do (hereinafter referred to as the “City/ Do”) may have an early childhood education promotion committee for the purpose of deliberating matters concerning the establishment, adjustment, consultation, etc. of such early childhood education policies as are most appropriate for their respective regional characteristics.
(2) Necessary matters concerning the composition, operation, etc. of the early childhood promotion committee as referred to in the provisions of paragraph (1), shall be prescribed by the Presidential Decree.
Article 6(Educational Curriculum) #
(1) Kindergartens may operate such a curriculum as prescribed in each of the following subparagraphs:
1. A half-day system: an educational system extending from 3 hours to below 5 hours a day;
2. A longer-hours system: an educational system extending from 5 hours to below 8 hours a day; and
3. An all-day system: an educational system extending not less than 8 hours a day.
(2) In view of their respective needs, protectors may choose from the three educational systems as referred to in the provisions of paragraph (1).
Article 7(Promotion of Welfare of Children in Their Early Childhood) #
The State and local governments shall come up with necessary policies for the promotion of the welfare of children in their early childhood, a school lunch program, for instance.
Article 8(School Inspection Guidance Committee) #
(1) For the purpose of problem-free execution of the school inspection of kindergartens, the superintendent of the education board of the City/ Do may compose and operate a school inspection guidance committee consisting of professionals in early childhood education, representatives of kindergartens, representatives of the parents of the children of the kindergartens.
(2) Necessary matters concerning the composition, operation, etc. of the school inspection guidance committee as referred to in the provisions of paragraph (1), shall be prescribed by the Muncipal Rules of City/Do concerning education.
Article 9(Bearing Expenses) #
The State and local governments shall bear all or part of the expenses needed for the early childhood education of the children of the welfare recipients as prescribed in the Protection of Minimum Living Standards Act or the children of the low-income families as prescribed by the Presidential Decree.
Article 10(Subsidies for Covering Expenses) #
Under the conditions as prescribed by the Presidential Decree, the State and local governments (including Si/Gun/autonomous Ku) may subsidize in order to cover part of the expenses needed for the foundation and operation of private kindergartens.
Article 11(Improvement of Teachers’ Qualifications) #
(1) The State and local governments shall periodically carry out education and in-service training programs for the improvement of the qualifications of the teachers in charge of early childhood education.
(2) Necessary matters concerning the education and in-service training programs as referred to in the provisions of paragraph (1), shall be prescribed by the Ordinance of the Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development. <Amended by Act No. 6400, Jan. 29, 2001>