사립유치원 "비리"와 돌봄 공공성: 회계투명성을 넘어

The aim of this study is critically examine major issues raised in recent accounting scandals of private kindergarten, situating it in the concept of dimensional publicness, and to explore alternative policy agenda to enhance publicness of child care. This article also focuses on the gender perspective of care, and argues that existing social hierarchy which underestimate care should be transformed. Current position of private kindergartens in publicness of care can be diagnosed considering three dimensions of publicness — ownership, funding, and control. The corruption of private kindergartens can be interpreted as a result of the government policy which focusing on the quantitative dominance of private business owners in child care provision and also relying on the supporting child care cost for parents, while neglecting responsibility of control and supervision. Enhancing transparency in accounting — although it is a necessary step forward — does not automatically guarantee high-quality care service, nor does it enhance gender equality by reducing the burden of caring for working mothers. This article argued that the aspects of care should be reinforced in the identity of preschool education service, and the status and treatment of care workers should be improved by approving public value of care work.