"Babysitter House? It's really the best. I even feel like I should bow to Mapo District."
On the 25th in the morning, at Seogang Babysitter House in Sangsu-dong, Mapo District, Seoul. Eun Hwan-su, 40, who was dropping off a 2-year-old child, gave a thumbs-up to the reporters. Opened by Mapo District as the second site after Gongdeok-dong in Dec. last year, this place goes beyond a simple daycare center as a so-called "specialized childcare model," and word of mouth is spreading quickly among local parents.
◇ Must pass the "air shower" to enter... hygiene reminiscent of a semiconductor plant
The first thing that caught the eye at the entrance was the "air shower" device. It is equipment you would expect to see in a semiconductor clean room or medical facility that demands a high level of cleanliness. Not only children but also visitors must go through a process that blows off fine dust and viruses from head to toe before stepping inside. It shows the intent to thoroughly protect infants and toddlers with weak immunity from external contaminants.
Inside, a wide-open indoor space unfolded. Thick safety mats were installed across the entire floor and walls so children can run and play freely. One wall even has a climbing setup that can be raised. The available area per infant or toddler here is about 7–8㎡. It is nearly twice as large as the legal minimum for daycare centers (4.29㎡).
Director Kim Mi-ok of Seogang Babysitter House said, "We boldly eliminated one of the classes we had been running to create this space," and added, "Because of fine dust and climate change, children who cannot go outside can at least burn off energy indoors, and the response has been so strong that parents decide to enroll on the spot after seeing this space."
◇ "No worries even if we work late"... a childcare facility with lights on until 10 p.m.
It is not just that the facility is good. What really scratches the itch for dual-income couples is the bold operating hours. This place runs from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. For working couples who often face sudden overtime or company dinners, it is nothing short of a savior.
If desired, breakfast is provided to children who arrive at 7 a.m., and dinner is served after 4 p.m. All meals are prepared on-site by a professional chef in the kitchen. To improve the quality of care, assistant teachers and babysitters are deployed in addition to homeroom teachers to provide close supervision.
◇ Waitlist of 40 just for ages 0–2... "Improving childcare quality is the solution to low birthrates"
With facilities and programs being close to perfect, competition to enroll is not just fierce; it is intense. The current capacity of 48 is already full, and for the 0–2 age group, which requires the most hands-on care, the waitlist alone tops 40.
Parents we met on site agreed that "it is better than private facilities." Director Kim said, "Before opening, we benchmarked all the popular daycare centers in the area and worked to create a top-tier environment."
The Mapo-style childcare model, born from meticulous planning by the local government, is pointing the way forward for public childcare in an era of low birthrates. Mapo District Mayor Park Kang-su said, "We will continue to provide full support for 'seamless childcare' that allows parents to leave their children with peace of mind."