Access is open in principle, but public spots and subsidies can be hard to secure A stock photo of a woman playing with children (123rf) Foreign parents in Korea can legally send their children to kindergartens and day care centers, but access to public day care and government subsidies can differ sharply depending on the child’s nationality and family status.Under the law, non-Korean children are not barred from attending kindergartens or day care centers. Facilities have discretion over admissions, but Korean and foreign children should be given equal consideration.In practice, however, foreign parents may face two main barriers: whether their child can receive government support for day care fees, and whether they can secure a spot at a public day care center.Public day care centers are often the most preferred option among parents because they are more affordable and are subject to closer government supervision. But they are also harder to enter because admissions are usually based on a priority point system.Children may receive priority if both parents work, if they are from single-parent households, or if they are from migrant-background families or certain other backgrounds. Children whose parents are both foreign nationals, however, generally do not receive extra points simply because of their foreign status.This means foreign parents may spend a long time on waiting lists for public centers, and in some cases may not secure a spot at all. Parents can register for up to three day care centers for free, but it is advisable to prepare a backup plan.A child with one Korean parent and one foreign parent is treated differently. Such children are eligible for the same government day care subsidy provided to Korean children and may also receive priority in public day care admissions.Because of these differences, many foreign parents consider private or home-based day care centers as more realistic options.Private day care centers are run by companies, organizations or individuals and must be approved by the government. They are the most common type of day care center in Korea, accounting for more than two-thirds of all centers nationwide. They are generally easier to access than public centers, but parents may have to pay additional fees for meals, special activities or outside programs.The basic child care fee is set by the Ministry of Health and Welfare. As of 2026, the monthly amount ranges from 584,000 won ($376) for children under age 1 to 280,000 won for children ages 3 to 5. Actual costs at private centers may be higher because of extra charges.Home-based day care centers are smaller facilities usually run in private homes with government approval. They often care for younger children, especially those ages 0 to 2, and may feel closer to a home environment.These centers may be easier to enter than public centers and can be appealing to parents who want a smaller, more familiar setting. But they may have fewer teachers, outdoor activities or structured educational programs than larger facilities. Parents may also need to look for another center once their child grows older.In choosing a day care center, foreign parents should consider not only cost and location, but also language, admission chances and whether the child will need to move to another facility later.Most day care centers in Korea operate primarily in Korean. Some may offer English classes or have programs for foreign children, but the Child Care Act does not have a separate classification for day care centers exclusively for foreign children.