The issues of low birth rates and aging populations are significant global concerns, and our country is also implementing various policies to address these problems. Among these, the "Together Care Centers" were a key policy aimed at providing social ...
The issues of low birth rates and aging populations are significant global concerns, and our country is also implementing various policies to address these problems. Among these, the "Together Care Centers" were a key policy aimed at providing social care services for elementary school children, thus resolving blind spots in child care. Following a pilot project in 2017, the government expanded the number of these centers, and as of April 2024, 1,117 centers are in operation nationwide. However, the qualitative growth of these facilities is as important as their quantitative expansion. Nevertheless, existing studies have focused on the childcare service system, staff characteristics, environmental factors, and the status and improvement of elementary care facilities. However, research on the directors of childcare facilities has identified various issues through studies on job experience, operational experience, job-related satisfaction, stress, and turnover. These studies offer practical and policy recommendations for successful operation and the provision of high-quality services. To enhance the quality of these facilities, a clear understanding of the on-site care services is necessary, and in particular, an in-depth study of the job experiences of the center directors who manage and operate these centers is needed.
This study aims to explore and analyze the meaningful aspects of the specific situations and practical experiences encountered by directors of "Together Care Centers" through grounded theory research on their job experiences. For this purpose, after obtaining IRB approval from the Research Ethics Committee of the institution, in-depth interviews were conducted with six directors of Together Care Centers located in Seoul and Gyeong-gi Region. Data collection took place from December 2023 to March 2024, and the collected data was analyzed through the three-stage coding process of grounded theory: open coding, axial coding, and selective coding.
As a result of the analysis, in the first stage, open coding, 66 concepts, 34 subcategories, and 15 categories were derived through data analysis, conceptualization, and categorization. In the second stage, axial coding, a paradigm model was developed. The results of the paradigm model indicated that the causal conditions for the phenomenon included "conflicts with parents," "conflicts with care teachers," "conflicts with corporations and local governments," and "various difficulties in care." The central phenomena were "difficulties in center operation" and "anxiety." The contextual conditions providing the background for these central phenomena were "low compensation and social status of directors" and "institutional limitations," while the intervening conditions that mitigated the intensity of the central phenomena were "driving force," "self-reflection," and "performance." The strategies for action/interaction to address the central phenomena included "facing reality," "trying different approaches," and "seeking mental solace." The outcome of dealing with the central phenomena was "dreams for the future of the care center." Finally, in the third stage, selective coding, a core category was identified through comprehensive analysis. The core category was defined as "challenges and opportunities for the operation and sustainable development of Together Care Centers," synthesizing the job experiences of the study participants.
The institutional recommendations derived from this study are as follows:
First, establishing an environment that strengthens systematic education and training programs through adequate intermediate management institutions, facilitating the acquisition of the skills and knowledge necessary for center operation.
Second, developing customized policies that consider the characteristics and needs of each region to bridge regional disparities and provide balanced care services nationwide.
Third, standardizing various administrative procedures and policies and strengthening the public care system are needed to enhance the consistency and predictability of center operations.
Fourth, empowering directors and ensuring their autonomy to enable swift and effective decision-making on-site.
Fifth, reducing the workload for center directors through improvements in personnel allocation and support systems.
Sixth, strengthening the qualification criteria for directors and increasing their salaries to reflect the high level of expertise and experience required for the position.
Seventh, provision of realistic operational funds through policy improvements to ensure that all children receive equal support and high-quality care services.
Lastly, improving the teacher-to-child ratio to create an environment that can provide high-quality care.
Keywords: Together Care Centers, Directors of the Together Care Center, Job Experiences, Grounded Theory