Article 1 (Purpose) The purpose of this Ordinance is to promote the healthy growth and welfare of children by protecting children and creating a safe child-rearing environment through active participation and cooperation of the local community in accordance with the “Child Welfare Act” and the “Child Care Support Act.”

Article 2 (Definitions) 1. “Child” refers to a person who resides in Seoul Metropolitan City (hereinafter referred to as the “City”) and falls under any of the following categories.
A. A person under the age of eighteen (18) according to Paragraph 1, Article 3 of the “Child Welfare Act”
B. A person under the age of twelve (12) according to Paragraph 1, Article 2 of the “Child Care Support Act”
D. A preschool child under the age of seven (7) according to Paragraph 1, Article 2 of the “Child Care Act”
2. “Community Childcare” (hereinafter referred to as “Childcare”) refers to all activities such as safe protection and nurturing, education, culture, arts, and physical education programs, meals and snacks, and customized information and counseling provided so that children can grow up happy and healthy in the community.
3. “Facility for community childcare” (hereinafter referred to as “childcare facility”) refers to a facility that carries out business for childcare.

Article 3 (Duties of the Mayor) The Seoul Metropolitan City Mayor (hereinafter referred to as the “Mayor”) shall make an active effort to establish and support policies necessary for childcare.

Article 4 (Relationship with Other Ordinances)

Article 5 (Basic Plan, Etc.) (1) In order to effectively promote childcare policies, the Mayor shall establish a basic plan for care support (hereinafter referred to as the “basic plan”) every four (4) years.
(2) The basic plan shall include the following items.
1. Goals and basic directions for promoting childcare policies
2. Implementing tasks and methods of childcare policies
3. Matters concerning the size of the required financial resources, methods of procurement, etc.
4. Analysis and evaluation of previous basic plans
5. Other matters recognized and deemed necessary by the Mayor for promoting childcare policies
(3) If necessary for establishing a basic plan, the Mayor may request a specialized agency to conduct a survey on the demand for childcare.

Article 6 (Childcare Support Projects) (1) The Mayor may implement the following projects to safely protect children and ensure that children grow up happy and healthy within the community. <Amended on Oct. 17, 2022, Dec. 29, 2023>
1. Childcare projects for infants and young children, including providing a wholesome play space for infants and toddlers and supporting parental self-help groups
2. Joint childcare sharing center operation projects based on the “Child Care Support Act”
3. Projects that provide customized childcare information and counseling to parents and guardians to promote healthy growth of infants and young children
4. Projects to promote the use of child care services, including child care subsidies and child care service out-of-pocket expenses, based on the “Child Care Support Act”
5. Elementary care projects that utilize public facilities and other spaces in the City to provide after-school care and educational, cultural, artistic, and physical education programs for children attending elementary schools in accordance with the “Elementary and Secondary Education Act”
6. Operation of local children's centers in accordance with the “Child Welfare Act”
7. Projects to provide stipends and vouchers for infant care
8. Other matters deemed necessary for childcare support projects
(2) The Mayor may provide administrative and financial support to autonomous Gus, corporations, institutions, organizations, etc. to carry out what falls under Paragraph 1. <Amended on Oct. 17, 2022>
(3) The specific details regarding the support target, content, method, and procedure for each business in Paragraph 1 shall be determined separately by the Mayor. <Newly established on Oct. 17, 2022>

Article 7 (Establishment and Operation of Childcare Facilities) (1) The Mayor may establish and operate childcare facilities by taking into account the demand for care and the supply of facilities appropriately.
(2) The Mayor shall give priority to establishing and operating childcare facilities in areas where there is a shortage of childcare facilities.
(3) The Mayor may entrust the operation of a childcare facility to a corporation or other organization that meets the appropriate requirements.
(4) The Mayor may support part or all of the costs required for the establishment and operation of a childcare facility.
(5) In cases of installing and operating a childcare facility pursuant to Paragraph 2, the initial operating rights of the childcare facility may be granted to the person who has provided the site.

Article 8 (Guidance and Inspection) The Mayor may direct and inspect relevant officials regarding the operation of childcare facilities, facility and equipment standards, accident prevention, employee management, and financial management status.

Article 9 (Establishment and Organization of the Consultative Council) (1) In order to promote childcare support projects and strengthen cooperation and connections with related organizations, corporations, and entities, the Mayor shall establish the “Seoul Metropolitan City Consultative Council for Community Childcare” (hereinafter referred to as the “Consultative Council”).
(2) The Consultative Council shall be composed of no more than fifteen (15) members, including one (1) Chairperson and one (1) Vice Chairperson. In cases of commissioned members pursuant to the main text of Article 21, Paragraph 2 of the Framework Act on Gender Equality, a specific gender shall not exceed six-tenths (6/10) of the number of commissioned members. However, this does not apply if it is determined that there are unavoidable reasons, such as a shortage of specialized personnel of a specific gender in the relevant field pursuant to the same paragraph, and a resolution is passed by the Gender Equality Working Committee.
(3) The Consultative Council is appointed by the Mayor from among the members of each category.
1. Deputy Mayor for City Administration 1, Director of Women and Family Policy, Director of Lifelong Education
2. Assistant Minister for Planning and Coordination of City Board of Education, Director of Education Policy Bureau
3. A city councilor recommended by the City Council
4. Officials from related organizations such as autonomous Gus and elementary schools
5. Experts from organizations, institutions, and academia related to childcare support projects
(4) The Chairperson shall be the Deputy Mayor for City Administration 1, and the Vice Chairperson shall be elected from among the members.
(5) In order to handle the affairs of the Consultative Council, one (1) administrative secretary shall be appointed. The administrative secretary shall be the head or person in charge of the department in charge of the Consultative Council.

Article 10 (Functions of the Consultative Council) 1. Matters concerning the establishment of a basic plan
2. Matters necessary to provide balanced services to meet childcare needs
3. Matters concerning coordination of opinions and mutual cooperation regarding childcare support projects
4. Other matters deemed necessary by the Mayor or Chairperson

Article 11 (Term of Office of Members) (1) The term of office of members shall be two (2) years and such members may serve consecutive terms only once. However, the term of office of a member who is a public official shall be the tenure of office.
(2) The term of office of a supplementary member shall be the remaining term of the predecessor. However, if the remaining term is less than six (6) months, the member shall not be appointed.

Article 12 (Meetings) (1) Consultative Council meetings shall be held twice a year as regular meetings, and special meetings may be held when the Chairperson deems it necessary or when requested by more than one-third (1/3) of the members in attendance.
(2) The meetings shall begin when a majority of registered members are present and resolved by the vote of a majority of the members present.
(3) Meetings shall be made public in principle and recorded in minutes, etc. However, this does not apply when confidentiality is to be maintained according to other Acts or Ordinances.

Article 13 (Exclusion, Recusal, and Abdication of Members) (1) A Consultative Council member shall be excluded from Consultative Council deliberations and resolutions in the following cases.
1. In cases where a member or their spouse or a former spouse becomes a party to the relevant agenda item (including its executives if the party is a corporation or organization; the same shall apply hereinafter in this Article) or is a joint holder of any right/interest or co-obligor with a party to the agenda item
2. If the member is or was a relative of a party to the agenda in question
3. Where the member has provided advice, conducted research, provided services (including as a subcontract), made an appraisal, or conducted an inspection regarding the relevant agenda item
4. Where the member or a corporation, organization, etc., to which they belong is or was an agent of the person directly involved in the relevant agenda item
(2) Where a party directly involved in the relevant agenda item has reason to believe that a fair deliberation or vote cannot be expected from a member, they may request the Consultative Council to exclude that member from decision-making. The Consultative Council shall then decide on the matter by a vote. In such cases, the member subject to the request for recusal shall not participate in the resolution.
(3) If a member falls under any of the grounds for disqualification under each subparagraph of Paragraph 1, they must voluntarily refrain from deliberation and voting on the relevant agenda item.

Article 14 (Dismissal of a Member) 1. In case of Article 8-2 of the Seoul Metropolitan Government Ordinance on the Establishment and Operation of Various Committees
2. In case of failure to recuse despite falling under any of the provisions of Article 13, Paragraph 1

Article 15 (Payment of Stipends)

Article 16 (Detailed Operating Rules)

Article 17 (Term of Existence of the Consultative Council) [Article Newly Inserted on Jul. 20, 2021]
[Previous Article 17 was moved to Article 18 <Jul. 20, 2021>]

Article 18 (Enforcement Rule) [Moved from Article 17 <Jul. 20, 2021>]

Addendum <No. 9068, Dec. 29, 2023>
This Ordinance shall enter into force on Jan. 1, 2024.