Jeonju City will expand childcare programs next year to create a city that is conducive to giving birth and raising children.

On the 24th, Jeonju City announced plans to allocate 1.986 billion won for childcare-related budgets next year, an increase of 76 billion won from this year, to expand various childcare programs such as support for daycare centers. The focus of next year's childcare budget is on reducing the financial burden on parents.

According to the city, starting next year, new support programs will be implemented for the necessary expenses for 1-year-olds, 2-year-olds, and childcare fees for foreign children, which are expected to reduce the costs that parents have been bearing. The necessary expense support includes expenses such as admission fees, specialized fees, and event fees that are not included in childcare fees. This program, which supports actual expenses, will gradually expand until 2027 in line with the government's free childcare plan for 3 to 5-year-olds.

In particular, Jeonju City has decided to allocate funds for the necessary expenses of 1-year-old infants as an independent program to provide 30,000 won per person per month to alleviate the financial burden of childcare expenses.

In addition, there will be simultaneous expansion of government support. By 2026, there will be a 3% increase in childcare fees for infants, a 5% increase in institutional childcare fees, a 20,000 won increase in the unit price for improving the working environment of childcare teachers, and the establishment of an additional allowance for morning care teachers. The city expects that the overall childcare environment will be improved through these measures.

An official from Jeonju City stated, "We will support the childcare field facing difficulties due to declining birth rates and decreasing numbers of children, and promote child welfare enhancement and improvement of the childcare environment," adding, "We will strive to create a childcare environment that satisfies children, parents, and childcare workers."