• Korean Journal of Childcare and Education
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.85-103
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• 2022

Objective: This study examined five- to six-year-old children's categorization of mixed-race faces and how it was affected by perceptual individuation training (PIT) for other-races. Methods: Sixty-five children attending classes for 5-year-olds in childcare centers were shown happy and angry faces of Korean and African American mixed-race people, along with neutral faces of Korean and African American monoracial people. They were asked to categorize the faces into same-race or other-race. After the pretest, participants received a PIT for either African American (other-race) or monkeys. Then the racial categorization task was administered again as a posttest. Results: Children showed no general tendency to categorize mixed-race faces as out-group in the pretest. Yet, the PITs further reduced children's categorization of mixed-race faces as out-group. In particular, the effect was clearly evident in children who received the PIT for other-race. Conclusion/Implications: The results suggest that the tendency to categorize mixed-race faces as an out-group may not be evident in early childhood and that experiences of perceptually identifying other-race individuals may help children view mixed-race individuals as being in the ingroup, at least perceptually.

• Korean Journal of Childcare and Education
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.39-56
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• 2022

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of perceived supervisor's servant leadership and teacher self-efficacy for positive teacher-child relationships on work engagement using the path model. Methods: The subjects were 210 teachers working at childcare centers in Daegu and Gyeongbuk Province. Questionnaires were used to investigate perceived supervisor's servant leadership, teacher self-efficacy for positive teacher-child relationships, and work engagement. The collected data were analyzed by Structural Equation Modeling(SEM), Bootstrapping, Pearson Correlation, AMOS 20.0, and SPSS 21.0. Results: First, supervisor's servant leadership had a positive influence on teacher self-efficacy for positive teacher-child relationships. Second, teacher self-efficacy for positive teacher-child relationships had a positive influence on work engagement. Third, supervisor's servant leadership had a positive influence on teacher's work engagement. Fourth, supervisor's servant leadership had an indirec effect on teacher's work engagement by teacher self-efficacy for positive teacher-child relationships. Conclusion/Implications: The results mean teacher self-efficacy for positive teacher-child relationships had more influence on teacher's work engagement. Therefore, it is more useful to promote teacher self-efficacy for positive teacher-child relationships in order to strengthen teacher's work engagement.

• Korean Journal of Childcare and Education
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• v.17 no.6
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• pp.29-52
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• 2021

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the mediating effects of the parent-teacher trust relationship and cooperative behavior in the relationship between the emotional intelligence of infant teachers and their play teaching efficacy. Methods: A total number of 216 teachers in charge of infants under the age of two at childcare centers located in H, Y, and O cities in Gyeonggi-do participated in the survey. Using SPSS 23.0 and AMOS 22, descriptive statistics, correlation and structural equation model were analyzed. Results: First, the emotional intelligence of infant teachers had a direct effect on play teaching efficacy. Second, the emotional intelligence of infant teachers influenced play teaching efficacy through parent-teacher's trust relationship. Third, the emotional intelligence of infant teachers influenced play teaching efficacy through parent-teacher cooperative behavior. Fourthly, it was found that the parent-teacher trust relationship and cooperative behavior were mediated sequentially in the influence of the emotional intelligence of infant teachers on play teaching efficacy. Conclusion/Implications: The results of this study emphasize the importance of improving the emotional intelligence of teachers and the trust and cooperation between parents and teachers in order to increase the ability of early childhood teacher's play teaching efficacy.

• Korean Journal of Childcare and Education
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• v.19 no.6
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• pp.21-37
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• 2023

Objective: This study aims to investigate the perception and demand of child care teachers regarding the support project for part-time substitute teachers in Busan. Methods: A survey was conducted on 6,141 childcare teachers participating in the Busan part-time substitute teacher support project, and the data were analyzed using the SPSS 25.0 program. Results: First, an examination of the perception of part-time substitute teacher support projects based on the type of daycare center revealed significant differences in all aspects, except for whether they choose to reapply. Second, an analysis of the demand for part-time substitute teacher support projects, categorized by the type of daycare center, indicated significant differences. Conclusion/Implications: The findings of this study furnish valuable insights for the equitable and effective implementation of the part-time substitute teaching assistant support project, taking into account the distinct characteristics of various daycare centers. Additionally, the results offer essential foundational data to guide the strategic direction of the part-time substitute teaching assistant support project.

• Human Ecology Research
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• v.52 no.6
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• pp.629-638
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• 2014

This study was designed to investigate variables influencing the job satisfaction of visiting supervisors for multicultural families in charge of childcare services. It focused on personal characteristics including personal and job characteristics. The subjects in this study were 784 visiting supervisors for multicultural families in charge of childcare services in 140 multicultural family centers located across Korea. The job satisfaction of these visiting supervisors was measured using a self-administered questionnaire, and the collected data were analyzed using a frequency analysis, analysis of variance, and post hoc tests. The findings of this study were as follows: first, these visiting supervisors showed a relatively high level of job satisfaction. However, the job satisfaction subscales of treatment and salary were relatively low. Second, the results revealed significant differences in effects of the variables related to the personal characteristics of the visiting supervisors, such as their age, education level, and their major in college, on their total job satisfaction and subscales (job performance, treatment and salary, work ethic and aptitude). Finally, the results revealed significant differences in the effects of the variables related to the job characteristics of the visiting supervisors, such as their responsibilities, career, number of children to handle, and age of children to handle, on the total job satisfaction and subscales (treatment and salary, relationship with caregivers).

• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
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• v.30
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• pp.8.1-8.8
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• 2015

Objectives Bedding in childcare centers (CCCs) can hold house dust mite (HDM) allergens. This study examined whether HDM allergen levels can be reduced through the distribution of an educational newsletter on bedding control to parents of CCC children in Korea. Methods All 38 CCCs were measured for Der 1 (sum of Der f 1 and Der p 1) concentrations on classroom floors and bedding before the intervention. Educational newsletters on children's bedding control were sent to 21 CCCs by mail, and teachers were asked to distribute the newsletters to the parents of the children (intervention group). The remaining 17 CCCs were not sent newsletters (control group). The measurement of Der 1 concentrations in 38 CCCs was repeated after the intervention. Dust samples were collected with a vacuum cleaner and analyzed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay methods. Results The Der 1 concentrations on the bedding were significantly higher than those on the floors in 38 CCCs at baseline (p < 0.05). Although changes of the Der 1 concentrations for the control group (n=17) were not significant, Der 1 concentrations for the intervention group (n=21) decreased significantly from 2077.9 ng/g dust to 963.5 ng/g dust on the floors and from 3683.9 ng/g dust to 610.4 ng/g dust on bedding (p < 0.05). Conclusions The distribution of educational newsletters on bedding control to parents may be an effective means of controlling HDMs in CCCs.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.26-30
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• 2023

In this study, we analyzed the microbial contamination level of ultraviolet sterilizer (UVS) chambers and suggested plans to improve hygiene management. In this study, UVS chambers targeted 98 UVS in some childcare centers in Jeollanam-do, Korea. Total aerobic bacteria and coliform bacteria were tested according to the Korean Food Code. Of the 98 UVS chambers, total aerobic bacteria were detected in 67 (68.4%) and coliform bacteria in 5 (5.1%). Six kinds of food-poisoning bacteria, including Salmonella spp., were not detected, but Bacillus cereus was detected in 1 (2.8%) out of 98 UVS chambers. According to the UV lamp replacement period, the detection rate of total aerobic bacteria was 3 (50%) out of 6 UVS within 3 months, 3 (60%) out of 5 UVS in 3 to 6 months, and 61 (70.1%) out of 87 UVS over 6 months. The detection rate of coliform bacteria according to the UV lamp replacement period was not detected within 6 months, however, they were detected in 5 (5.7%) out of 87 chambers after more than 6 months. The level of microbial contamination in the UVS chambers was higher as the lamp replacement period was longer. Considering these results, it was determined that the UVS chambers should be kept dry and clean, and the UV lamp should be replaced periodically. In addition, it is necessary to provide the staff catering for childcare centers with continuous education regarding the cleaning of UVS chambers and the replacement of UV lamps.

• Korean Journal of Child Education & Care
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.103-115
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• 2018

Objective: The purpose of this study was to understand the formation of organizational relationship necessary to the correct operation of daycare centers through the relations between mulitpliership of daycare directors, and teachers cooperation and colleague support of childcare teachers. Methods: The subjects in this study were 234 childcare center teachers in Seoul and Gyoungi Province in South Korea. Two different inventories were utilized. Multipliership scale, teacher cooperation scale and colleague support scale were used. As for data analysis, the frequency analysis, exploratory factor analysis, reliability analysis, and correlation analysis were conducted through SPSS 20.0 program. Results: First, the sub-factors of multipliership of daycare center directors such as working joyfully, settling productive discussion, increasing unity of members, and establishing personal value culture in order were the preceding factors having positive effects on the teachers cooperation of childcare teachers. Second, the sub-factors of multipliership of daycare center directors such as settling productive discussion, establishing personal value culture, working joyfully, and increasing unity of members in order were the preceding factors having positive effects on the colleague support of childcare teachers. Conclusion/Implications: This study suggests researches improve the quality of childcare, and also researches on the development of programs enhancing multipliership.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.244-257
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• 2021

The purpose of the present study is to qualitatively explore childcare teachers' attitudes toward gender sensitivity education for early childhood. The study recruited 227 teachers and directors working in childcare centers around the Seoul metropolitan areas. The study utilised the interpretive science paradigm and visual methods for data collection, and thematic analysis examined the attitudes of 227 participants. Gender sensitivity education include gender flexibility and sexual orientation. Most participants showed positive attitudes toward the gender flexibility education. They regarded the gender flexibility as a topic socially accepted, suitable for early childhood development, and easy to implement. They also believed that the gender flexibility education would encourage the individuality of children. On the other hand, 53.3% of participants showed negative attitudes toward tolerance education regarding sexual orientation. Opponents expressed that an issue of sexual orientation did not reach a social consensus. They also worried that the topic is not developmentally appropriate for early childhood, and difficult to teach young children because of insufficient educational materials. At the same time, 40.5% of participants expected Korean society would embrace diverse sexual orientations in the future, and early childhood education would help young children adapted to changing contexts. This study discussed theoretical concepts of gender sensitivity, listened to childcare teachers' voices about education of gender flexibility and sexual orientation, and suggested more appropriate gender sensitivity education for early childhood.

• KDI Journal of Economic Policy
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.29-73
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• 2007

This paper evaluates the effects of the Basic Subsidy Program provided to families with infants cared for in private day care centers. There has been a discrepancy in the price and quality level between public and private day care centers. Public day care centers which receive government support in their labor costs are able to maintain relatively higher quality at lower price than their private counterparts, while the majority of children are cared for at private day care centers. To reduce the gap of the price and quality of care between public and private day care centers by improving the quality and decreasing the price of private day care centers, the Basic Subsidy Program was introduced in 2006 to the private day care centers. The subsidies mainly aim to improve the quality and the accessibility of child care, and encourage mothers' labor supply. For this purpose, the provision of the Basic Subsidy Program imposed prerequisites to the care providers including minimum wage and four major insurances for teachers, and child-staff ratio. I examine whether the subsidies improve the quality of care, help mothers balancing work and family, and increase satisfaction with child care from mothers' perspective. Since the outcome variables that measure the quality of care are difficult to obtain, I instead use the input variables for quality production. Child-staff ratio, teachers' welfare, and care environment are considered. The relationship between these variables and the introduction of subsidies is examined. The 2004 National Survey of Child Care and Education and the 2004 National Survey of Day Care Centers are used for the base data set. To reflect the outcomes after the Basic Subsidy Program, equivalent data sets for households and care providers are constructed by the KDI Data Analysis Unit. Using these nationally representative data sets, information regarding child care is collected. The findings show that the subsidies contribute to the quality of care improving the input variables of quality production. The welfare of teachers is improved, and the child-staff ratio significantly decreases. As a result, the usage of private day care centers greatly increases even though the price level rarely changes. However, mothers' satisfaction with child care are rarely affected by the subsidies. Although the subsidies with no eligibility criteria enlarge the recipients, the actual effects to increase maternal labor supply or to improve satisfaction is limited. Given this findings, I suggest some modifications of subsidies to raise the effectiveness of the subsidy program.