Issues and Tasks for Early Childhood Education and Care Workforce in Korea

This research overviewed the present situation of Korean early childhood education and care workforce's certification, education and training, and working conditions, according to the elements to assure the quality of teachers. Results show that structure and condition of the initial teacher training system, certificating system, professionalism development system and working environment and treatment of kindergarten teachers were slightly better than child care center teachers', and private kindergarten teachers' were better than the public teachers'. The hidden issues behind it such as marginalization, traditional child caring discourse and underestimating of caring were pointed out, which must be considered in addition to the elements related to teachers' quality that appear on the surface, when the integration plan of kindergarten and day care center is discussed.