North Jeolla Special Self-Governing Province announced on the 13th that it will fully support the increase in childcare fees and necessary expenses for kindergartens in 2026 through local funding, following deliberation by the Childcare Policy Committee. Accordingly, it was explained that there will be no additional burden on parents despite the increase in childcare fees and necessary expenses.

According to the province, starting from 2026, the monthly childcare fees for private and home kindergartens for children aged 3 to 5 will be increased by 10,000 won per child, reflecting the worsened operational conditions of kindergartens due to rising prices, labor costs, and a decrease in the number of births. The increased amount will be fully covered.

There will also be some adjustments to the necessary expenses for kindergartens. Specialization fees for children aged 2 to 3 will be increased by 1,000 won, and for children aged 4 to 5, adjustments of up to a maximum of 40,000 won within 6 categories are possible. The province has also decided to fully support these increases. In particular, starting from March, a new support plan will provide 30,000 won in specialization fees to 2-year-old children to reduce the burden on infant households.

The province added that through the 'Payment Limit Amount' system, which sets the upper limit of costs that parents are responsible for, kindergartens are managed to only charge fees within the upper limit range. Since starting the necessary expense support project in 2023 and maintaining a full support system from 2024, the decision this time aims to expand the foundation of free childcare.

Bang Sang-yoon, Director of the Welfare Women's Health Department, stated, "We have established an effective childcare policy direction by reflecting on-site opinions," and added, "We will continue to communicate with the childcare field to create a better North Jeolla Special Self-Governing Province for raising children."