Nuri Ppangppang and Toy Libraries... Less Childcare Burden, More Play Opportunities

【Financial News, Andong = Kim Jang-uk】‘Ainuri Toy Library and Nuri Ppangppang!’
North Gyeongsang Province is making every effort to ease parents’ child-rearing burden and expand children’s opportunities to play.
To that end, the province will expand its Ainuri Toy Library network to 29 locations by the end of the year and operate Nuri Ppangppang, a mobile toy library.
Lee Sang-su, director of the Local Government Strategy Bureau, said, “Toy libraries provide children with diverse opportunities for play and growth, and are a reliable childcare partner that eases the burden on parents.” He emphasized, “We will continue to expand community-based support so that everyone can access high-quality childcare services, regardless of where children live, and build a North Gyeongsang Province where it is good to raise children.”
Toy libraries are currently operating at 28 locations across 17 cities and counties, including the Gumi Wonpyeong branch, which was renovated in the first half of this year. Adding one location at Gyeongsan Namcheon by year-end will bring the total to 29.
Toy libraries offer toy rentals, rental of tables for 100-day celebrations and first birthdays, parent education, and hands-on programs. According to the province, as of the end of September, they had 18,338 registered members and averaged 10,950 uses per month.
The province operates Nuri Ppangppang to improve access to childcare services in towns and townships in the northern region, where it can be difficult to use toy libraries. The bus, which began operating last March, carries about 200 items, including toys suited to infants’ and toddlers’ ages and developmental stages, childbirth and childcare supplies, and tables for 100-day celebrations and first birthdays. It regularly visits 18 hubs across eight cities and counties in the province (Andong City, Yeongju City, Sangju City, Mungyeong City, Cheongsong County, Yeongyang County, Yecheon County, and Bonghwa County).
Families in the northern region can now rent childcare supplies close to home. In its seven months of operation, Nuri Ppangppang has served about 1,400 users and recorded about 2,900 rentals.
Meanwhile, the province is improving conditions at existing toy libraries using the Community Chest of Korea’s “fund to address low birth rates.” It is working to replace old toys and expand hygiene equipment at 34 locations across the province, including toy libraries and facilities that lend childbirth and childcare supplies.
Last year, about 4,600 old toys were replaced. This year, the province will also replace about 2,000 toys and expand its hygiene equipment, including toy sterilizers and washers.

[email protected] Kim Jang-uk Reporter