Unraveling the Challenges: Child Care Policy Barriers to the Development of Migrant Children in Korea

Background: The Korean government has been implementing immigration policies focused on individuals. Additionally, it has shown reluctance to provide policies aimed at facilitating settlement for immigrant families despite the increasing trend of family unit immigration to Korea. In particular, immigrant families with young children are often excluded from national child care support universally available for Koreans. This study aims to review laws, policies and services related to childcare support, which is essential for the development and social adaptation of immigrant children. It also seeks to identify immigrant families' experiences and barriers in accessing childcare services, and to propose directions for childcare policies for immigrant families.

Method: The analysis comprised two phases. First, a comprehensive review of legal provisions and policy documents related to childcare for immigrant children was conducted. Second, semi-structured, in-depth interviews and focus group interviews were conducted with six immigrant parents of preschool children and ten field professionals working with immigrant children in childcare facilities, such as preschool and after-school care centers. The interviews were transcribed verbatim and thematically coded using a constant comparative strategy.

Results: The literature review reveals that in the Korean Childcare Act, the principles of prioritizing the best interests of young children and non-discrimination are stipulated as fundamental childcare ideals. However, when it comes to specific recipients of childcare services, immigrant parents and children with foreign nationality are often excluded from priority or support. Moreover, while the Korean government provides free childcare services to Korean citizens with preschool children, it does not extend the same benefit to immigrant children without Korean nationality. The utilization of childcare facilities for young children has a positive impact on the language development and cultural adaptation of migrant children. Results of the in-dept interviews and FGI analyses reveals that immigrant parents wanted to send their children to childcare facilities such as daycare centers due to delays in their children's language development, but they faced difficulties in using these facilities due to the burden of childcare fees. Furthermore, they experienced lack of informational support regarding childcare in Korea and communication barriers with childcare facility teachers, resulting in a limited understanding of child development. The exclusion of immigrant children above elementary school age from childcare services was even more severe than for preschool children. Immigrant children from families where both parents work are at higher risk of being left unattended at home or wandering outside until late hours since they cannot access public childcare services when needed.

Conclusion: The findings of this study indicate that current policies and services related to childcare exclude immigrants of foreign nationality, thus hindering the positive development and adaptation of immigrant children in Korea. Recommendations were provided to promote an inclusive immigration and child welfare policies that support the rights to protection and development of immigrant children.