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43-9 · Welfare, veterans & labour

Daycare Center Establishment Approval Application

A person who wants to set up a daycare center other than a national or public one (private, home-based, corporate, organization, cooperative or workplace) must obtain approval from the head of the competent city, county or district under Article 13 of the Infant Care Act, and must also obtain approval for changes to important approved matters. Under Table 1 of the Enforcement Rule, the facility must provide at least 4.29㎡ per infant and at least 2.64㎡ of childcare room per infant, and childcare rooms must in principle be on the first floor. A home-based center must be able to care for 5 to 20 infants, a private center for 21 or more, and total capacity may not exceed 300. Because the local government considers childcare demand in the area when approving, approval can be hard where supply is already sufficient. Using the name daycare center or operating as one without approval is punishable by up to 1 year in prison or a fine of up to KRW 10 million (Article 54(4) of the Act).

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#Daycare Center Establishment Approval Application#Official check#43-9
🌐 Daycare Center Establishment Approval: Standards and Documents
01

Procedure

Procedure

Procedure type
  • Approval Difficulty High

    A procedure, such as establishing a corporation, a business plan or a transfer, that takes effect only when the authority reviews and approves it. The authority has wide discretion, so a well-prepared business plan and supporting evidence are important.

  1. 01

    Confirm the type of center and local childcare demand: decide whether it is a home-based (5 to 20 infants), private, corporate or organization (21 or more) or cooperative (11 or more) center and check that capacity does not exceed 300. Check the supply and demand situation in the local childcare plan first, because the local government considers regional demand when approving.

  2. 02

    Review building use and location: confirm that the building is of a use in which this type of center may be installed under Table 1 of the Enforcement Decree of the Building Act, and that it is at least 50 m from the facilities listed in Article 9-2(1) of the Housing Construction Standards Regulation. Home-based and private centers need a debt ratio below 50% on the land and building used, and cooperative centers need investment from 11 or more guardians.

  3. 03

    Check installation standards and prepare floor plans: calculate at least 4.29㎡ of facility area and 2.64㎡ of childcare room per infant, and review whether the childcare room is on the first floor or fits an exception. Reflect in the floor plan the emergency stairs or escape slides for second- and third-floor rooms and the CCTV in each childcare room, play room and playground.

  4. 04

    Prepare the approval application and operating plan: submit the application with floor plans showing areas by structure, the director qualification documents, the staff hiring plan and an operating plan with expenses and maintenance method to the competent city, county or district. Decide whether to consent to administrative information sharing for the building ledger, building registry and electrical safety inspection confirmation.

  5. 05

    Site check and posting of the approval certificate: the local government checks compliance on site and, for second floors or above, asks the fire station to check fire and evacuation facilities, so documents are corrected to match supplementary requests. Once approved, post the approval certificate where visitors can see it and apply for change approval whenever important matters change.

02

Filing route

Filing route

Competent city, county or district office (childcare department) where the center is located

Confirm the current filing office, jurisdiction, and online availability on the official website.

Official check
Actual processing agencyCompetent Korean authority or official service
Statutory and policy authorityMinistry of Health and Welfare
Online routeGovernment24 · Bokjiro Welfare Portal
03

Deadlines & processing notes

Deadlines & processing notes

Check deadlines and next steps against the notice, filing date, and any request for additional documents.Official check
04

Basic documents

Basic documents

Basic documents0 / 8

If you do not check the building use, the floor for childcare rooms and the 50 m distance from hazardous facilities before signing a lease, you may be refused approval even after fitting out the facility.

Scope of services

Scope of services

Hwang Yunsang Administrative Agent Office prepares and translates documents for administrative agencies, submits them on your behalf, and guides you through permit, application, and notification procedures. Services that require the principal’s personal appearance, principal’s application, or electronic signature may be limited in delegation.