국공립어린이집 보육교사와 원장의 육아휴직 이야기

This study aims to qualitatively analyze the experiences of childcare teachers and directors at public daycare centers. The goal is to explore policy directions that support childcare teachers in experiencing a community culture based on mutual understanding and respect throughout the process of parental leave and reinstatement. To this end, a basic survey was conducted with 214 childcare teachers, followed by the development of a group interview questionnaire. Subsequently, a sample of 10 childcare teacher and 10 daycare directors who had experienced parental leave was selected for a group interview. The interview content was then analyzed using qualitative research methods. The results reveal that daycare teachers experience the following: “the dilemma of choosing parental leave, the subtle battle for parental leave, life changes due to parental leave, parental leave as an opportunity for on-site training, expectations and fears about returning to work, and the challenges associated with returning to work.” The directors also contend with “internal struggles that are difficult to express honestly, cost-benefit calculations, varying standards and decisions depending on the presence of the childcare teacher within the institution, and the dilemma of additional considerations for returning teachers.” The results of this study are expected to help shape policies that support parental leave for childcare teachers in public and national childcare centers.