특성별 지역아동센터 지원사업 현황 및 개선방안 - FGI 조사를 통한 관계자 의견 탐색

Exploring Support Project for Specialized Community Child Centers : Insights from Practitioners and Local Government Officials through Focus Group Interviews

Objective: This study aims to examine the perceptions of service providers regarding the support project for specialized community child centers. Methods: A focus group interview (FGI) was conducted with 15 staff members from community child centers and 3 public officials. The collected data were analyzed thematically. Results: First, differences were observed in the target population and scale of support across local governments, with the majority of the budget allocated to personnel expenses. Second, the project faced challenges due to restrictive criteria outlined in the manual, insufficient funding to reflect the specialized nature of the services, and a lack of concrete implementation guidelines. Third, participants emphasized the need to expand the project’s target population, incorporate tailored support for children with specific needs, and secure specialized personnel. Conclusions: Based on these findings, the study suggests several policy recommendations, including the establishment of standardized guidelines at the national level, the development of differentiated operational strategies aligned with children's developmental characteristics, and the recruitment and training of specialized staff. This study is meaningful in proposing strategies to enhance the role of community child centers within the public child care system.