Findings of the 2025 Survey on the Child Care Service (아이돌봄서비스) — 357,000 won a Month Out of Pocket, Satisfaction 3.9
Source material is a Korean government announcement (in Korean).
According to the '2025 Survey on the Child Care Service (아이돌봄서비스)' released by the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family (성평등가족부) on August 13, 2026, the average monthly out-of-pocket payment for user households is 357,000 won and overall satisfaction is 3.9 out of 5.
Key facts
| Date announced | August 13, 2026 (Ministry of Gender Equality and Family, 성평등가족부) |
|---|---|
| Survey cycle | Conducted every 3 years as basic material for policymaking to improve the Child Care Service |
| Survey subjects | 4,000 user households, 3,000 eligible households, 3,000 child care workers, and 228 child care centers with 250 staff |
| Pattern of use | 95.1% of user households use the service regularly; regular use averages 4.6 times a week and 16 hours 24 minutes a week |
| Average monthly out-of-pocket payment | 357,000 won (100,000 to under 300,000 won: 53.0%; 300,000 to under 500,000 won: 21.4%) |
| Satisfaction | Overall satisfaction 3.9 out of 5 — 'the capability of child care workers and the quality of the service' and 'the expertise and responsiveness of the service provider's staff' 3.8, 'the waiting period for matching' 2.9 |
| Improvements needed | 'Expanding the training of child care workers to clear the waiting list' 4.2, and 'increasing government subsidies for the cost of use' and 'raising the cap on government-supported hours' 4.1 each |
| Awareness and intention to use | Awareness among households raising children aged 12 or under was 83.7%, and 57.6% of eligible households intend to use the service in future |
| Inquiries | Ministry of Gender Equality and Family, Child Care Support Division 02-2100-6247 |
Last checked:
On August 13, 2026, the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family (성평등가족부) released the findings of its '2025 Survey on the Child Care Service (아이돌봄서비스)'. Of the households using the service, 95.1% use it regularly, and those using it regularly do so an average of 4.6 times a week for an average of 16 hours and 24 minutes a week. The average monthly out-of-pocket payment borne by user households is 357,000 won, and overall satisfaction came to 3.9 out of 5. The Ministry of Gender Equality and Family said that, on the basis of these findings, it is studying ways to provide tax benefits to ease the cost burden of the service and will keep raising the care allowance for child care workers (아이돌봄사).
Background — why this change
The survey found that child care workers had been active at their designated service provider for an average of 77.1 months, worked an average of 118.8 hours a month, and had an average monthly income of 1,605,000 won in take-home terms. The item child care workers named most often as the most urgent improvement was 'raising the level of pay' (39.0%). As reasons for wanting to use the service, 'because care services can be used at a low cost' came to 43.2% and 'because it is a government program and so is trustworthy' to 30.6%.
Summaries below are factual notes based on government announcements and primary sources — not evaluations or opinions.
FAQ
How much do households using the Child Care Service pay each month?
According to the survey, the average monthly out-of-pocket payment borne by user households is 357,000 won; 53.0% paid 100,000 to under 300,000 won and 21.4% paid 300,000 to under 500,000 won.
Which item were users least satisfied with?
'The waiting period for matching' showed the lowest satisfaction at 2.9, and among the improvements needed, 'expanding the training of child care workers to clear the waiting list' was the highest at 4.2.
What has the government said it will change going forward?
The Ministry of Gender Equality and Family said it is pursuing policy improvements so that families that need care can use the service at a lower cost when they need it, and that it is also studying ways to provide tax benefits to ease the cost burden of the service. It also said it will keep raising the care allowance to improve the treatment of child care workers.