FREE VACCINES FOR YOUR CHILDREN IN SOUTH KOREA (FROM BIRTH UNTIL THEY ARE 12 YEARS OLD)
INFORMATION COMPILED BY DR. SHOBA SARAVANAKUMAR 

Health insurance with the National Health Insurance Corporation (NHIC) is compulsory for foreigners working in South Korea. Dependents are also covered by this insurance. Any resident in South Korea can go to a Public Health Centre (Bo Gun So). Local councils' policy and budget determine whether services and benefits are free of charge.

To register at a Public Health Centre, the following documents are needed:

1) National health insurance card

2) Passport

3) Foreigner registration card

4) Pregnancy book or San Mo Su Chup, which is given to a woman when her pregnancy is confirmed To find the nearest Public Health Centre (Bo Gun So):

To find a National Health Insurance Corporation office:

A medical referral service is also available to foreigners living in South Korea. The programme is a 24-hour, non-profit, volunteer-based service, and can help foreigners to find English-speaking doctors or midwives in their area of residence.

Medical Referral Service Tel: 010 4769 8212 / 010 8750 8212 for an English-speaking, medically-trained volunteer email A free volunteer interpretation service, the- volunteer service for translation, can also be contacted if a foreigner has communication problems. All children whose parents belong to the national health insurance scheme receive free health and dental check-ups between four months and six years old. A notice letter for a child's check up is delivered to their residential address. Check-ups can be arranged by telephone with the local public health centre or participating paediatric practices and hospitals.

A Health Record Book (Aki Gun Gang Su Chup) is given to mothers in South Korea when a baby is born. It is also available from participating paediatric practices and hospitals. All check-ups and vaccinations are recorded in this book.

Vaccinations

In South Korea, there are eight recommended vaccinations for children from birth until they are 12 years old.

These vaccinations are free at public health centers, participating pediatric practices and hospitals. Optional vaccinations can be arranged at a private paediatrician's practice at a parents' request.

The eight recommended vaccinations are:

Tuberculosis
Hepatitis B
Diptheria
Tetanus
Whooping cough Polio Measles
Mumps
Rubella
Chickenpox
Japanese encephaliti
Influenza

Hot Summer and Baby fever
INFORMATION COMPILED BY S. Ramasundaram 

In hot summer, body temperature rises from normal level (36 ℃). Until body temperature 37.2 ℃, we no need to worry. Even long time crying can cause an increase in baby's body temperature, according a pediatrician in a university hospital here. 37 ℃ considered as mild fever, if baby activity is normal, we no need to worry. If the temperature rises to 38 ℃, we have to visit the hospital. Better to have emergency fever reducing medicines in home such as cooling gel pad, Tylenol and ibuprofen syrup (to buy these medicines you no need any prescription from the doctor, you can buy from a local medical shop).

A Baby can also get a fever by infection. It is a matter of confusion. The following points may useful to you to differentiate the rise in body temperature due to heat and fever due to infection.

Symptoms of heat (in summer) induced rise in body temperature
No sweating, even with a fever of 39.5 ℃ (~103 ℉)
Hot, red and dry skin
A fast pulse, restlessness and dizziness
Fast and shallow breathing
Lethargy and vomiting

Symptoms of fever due to infection
Coughing and sneezing,
Chilling, a runny or stuffy nose
Rashes and Diarrhea

Note: I am not a medical doctor. I just wrote a suggestion I received from a pediatrician working in a university hospital in Korea. S. Ramasundaram.

How to find a job in Korea
INFORMATION COMPILED BY Er. Vengatesan Kanagarajannr 

Finding jobs in Korea largely depends on your major and your Korean language skills. Let me know your area and will accordingly suggest you.

1) Firstly, Korean companies, mostly need design engineers who could work on industry standard design tools and/or with programming skills.

2) If you are searching from Korea then with a help of Korean, you can register with www.jobkorea.kr or www.saramin.co.kr. You will surely get some response.

3) If you are searching from India, jobsites like www.naukri.com, www.mosterindia.com etc. are constantly posting some opening for Korea and you can apply through them

4) Also, from India itself, you can do KEYWORD search in www.jobkorea.kr and can get email address of HR of the companies. This is a random try and so have to collect as many ids as possible and post your resume. Also, you can get some head hunter ids as well and if lucky enough, they will surely reach out to you with different openings.

5) FINALLY and MOST IMPORTANTLY, before trying for Korea, do a preliminary study on Skill sets required by Korean companies for your domain and make sure that your resume covers the skill set.

www.JOBKOREA.CO.KR

Information about Enrollment in Child Day Care Center in Korea
INFORMATION COMPILED BY Deepika Dyananda 

Introduction

A child care center is an institution for the children of age 0 to 5 who haven't entered elementary school.
Can be extended until the age of 12 for the differently abled children.
It sets a rule of dividing classes by year of birth.
⁜ However, children born in January or February can be put into an older class if they are fast in physical growth, by the request of their parents.

Periods when this is possible is on March 1st, or on the day of entrance

Types of Daycares

Special nurseries called nori bang (놀이방) for babies from one month.
Olini jip (어린이집) for the kids as young as 100 days or one year to 3 or 5 years (Western age).
Yuchiwon (유치원) is a full-time pre-school or kindergarten.
Byeongseol yuchiwon (병설 유치원) are kindergartens attached to elementary schools. Kids usually admitted by 4-5 years old (Western age).

How to Apply

Visit the Seoul City Child-care Portal Service website (http://iseoul.seoul.go.kr)
Click on the log-in (로그인) link on the upper-right corner of the screen.
Click sign-up (회원 가입) under My page (마이 페이지) and click again Foreign member (외국인회원) and register.
⁜ Only one parent can register for one child.

To log-in (로그인) under My page (마이 페이지) click Foreign member (외국인 회원) below “인증서 가 없을 경우” and enter the log-in details.
Click on Standby application(소 대기 신청) on top (You must login before)
Search for the Child care centers and select the one you want.
Click on See Details (상세 보기)
Enter the child's foreign registration number(ARC), DOB, Address and click on the link that says Standby application (입소 대기 신청) on the right. (You will receive an SMS that confirms your registration)

Checking for your registration to the waitlist

Click on Standby application (입소 대기 신청) while you are logged in and check your status
You will be notified with the results of your registration, and check it on the website.

Hours of operation
Day care center

Child care centers run 10or12 hours a day, by rule.
Weekdays 7:30 to 19:30
Saturday 07:30 to 15:30 (8 hours) * Closed on Sundays and public holidays.


Late childcare center

Night care 19:30 ~ 07:30 the next day
Dawn Nursery 24:00 ~ 07:30 the next day
24 hours care 07:30 ~ 07:30 the next day use (24 hours) Child Care Services
Part-time child care
Holiday childcare
⁜ Reserve at the Seoul Child Care portal site (http://iseoul.seoul.go.kr ) for ‘Specialtime Care’, ‘Holiday Care’, ‘Extended-time Care’, ‘Night-time Care’

Fees

The whole fee should be paid in a couple of days before end of the month. Most places will accept credit cards or bank transfers. Fees stay the same for the whole school year, March to end of next February. The ages below are Western.

Registration fee varies from 50,000 - 100,000 which includes uniform, backpack and lunch box.

0 - 12 months: 418,000 / month
13-23 months: 368,000 / month
24-35 months: 304,000 /month
36-48 months: 283,000 /month
49-60 months: 283,000/month

Government-Supported Child Care Centers

National/Public, Corporate, Non-corporate, Child-Care Specializing, DisabledSpecializing Child Care Centers
Civilian and Residential child care centers.
Public child care centers or work-place-attached child care centers that receive support from employment insurance funds.

What to Expect from Daycares

Send a child with diapers, an extra change of clothes, toothbrush, towel, etc.
Extra "classes" like P.E., English, Music, Art, Hangeul, Science, Math Games, etc. are usually charged.
Uniform (제복) to be worn on designated days.
Childcare centers may have a website and the daily eating report can be tracked. Some provide a booklet and mark the given snacks, lunch, temperature check, pee/poop or if any medicine given and how much.

Required Documents for Admission

Duly filled Application
Foreign Registration number (ARC) of child and parents
Passport copy
2 passport size photos of the child
Insurance copy
Immunization report of the child

Winter Survival Tips for Children
INFORMATION COMPILED BY Deepika Dayananda 

Winter is a great season for all the in and out activities. Winter in Korea is cold, dry and harsh. It is usually frigid and very drafty, which last from December to early March. The average temperature in January is the coldest month, ranging between minus six degrees and three degrees Celsius. The days with the lowest temperatures in the winter usually occur in the middle and end of January.

When the temperatures drop, children need extra attention to stay warm, safe and healthy. Young children are less likely to recognize when they are cold and more likely to lose body heat quickly due to their smaller size. When winter storms in, it's our job to make sure the baby stays warm, dry, healthy and comfortable, whether it is outside or indoors. Here are some tips to protect children when the thermometer dips.

Clothing

The best way to dress for winter is to wear layers. Dress your child in layers, one more layer than an adult would wear. This gives the flexibility to add or remove layers, depending on the weather and activity. There are three main layers to consider:

First layer: Thermal underwear, sock liners, wool socks, and glove liners
Second layer: Turtleneck, sweater or a vest and sweatpants or ski pants.
Third layer: Water-resistant jacket, a hat, mittens, neck warmer and waterproof boots with gripping surfaces

Make sure the child's head, neck, ears, nose, feet and hands are covered.

Wear them a winter hat as lot of body heat is lost through the head.
Use a neck warmer or gaiter instead of a scarf; mitten clips and Velcro straps instead of a string to prevent choking.
Keeping ears covered at all times helps to prevent frostbite.
Making them wear mittens instead of gloves so that fingers can be bunched together for warmth.
Use warm, waterproof shoes or boots that are roomy enough and to wiggle the toes.
Two pairs of socks with the outer pair being wool can be worn for increased insulation.
Remove the wet clothing immediately.

Keep Hydrated

During the dry winter air, kids lose more water through their breath. Keep them drinking throughout the day. Offer some warm drinks and soup for an extra warming effect. Eating and drinking warm foods help to stay warm during cold days.

Take Breaks from the Cold

While taking children out be sure to keep them warm. Most cold weather-related injuries often take place after children have been going strong for hours. Young children generate less body heat, and get cold more quickly than adults. As the cold forces the body to work harder to keep itself warm, this in turn, causes kids to get tired and reduces their ability to react quickly.

Before going back out again, try changing to dry clothes with little resting can help children to stay warm and fresh. Apply sunscreen to the exposed skin, even when it is cloudy. Frequent breaks allow kids to rehydrate. Never go outside with children in extreme weather conditions.

Kids Skin Care

Kids have sensitive skin, and the winter weather can wreak havoc on their delicate hands, faces and lips.

Wash hands, hair and bodies with warm (not hot) water. Hot bath may dry the skin and creates rashes and itchy.
After every washing, apply a baby moisturizing lotion while the skin is still damp seal in moisture.
Infants can be bathed two or three times; more baths may dry out the skin, especially during the winter. If daily bath helps in soothing baby, make sure it lasts no longer than 10 minutes in warm water.
Apart from the lotions, natural ingredients like coconut oil, aloe-vera, lavender oil, etc., can also be used to keep them moisture.
If the child's skin look or feel dry, petroleum jelly on thick can be applied.
Humidifier can be used in rooms to minimize the drying effects of the season. However, not to be placed near or directly over the child.

Lip Care

Lips can become chapped and dry when they're exposed to wind or cold air.

Covering the lips during the winter can also help to prevent dry lips.
Lip balm acts as a shield to protect lips against, the wind and cold or dry air. It will trap the moisture and seal cracks against infection.
A lip balm containing petroleum or beeswax will provide to avoid dry or sore lips.
Butter can also be used, other than lip balm.

Common Health Hazards

There are some health troubles that emerge more often for children during the winter than in other seasons such as nosebleed, ear infections, common colds and flu, and sometimes Hypothermia and frostbite.

Nosebleeds tend to occur during a dry climate or heated indoor air. Using a cold air humidifier in the room to keep the air moist can help or saline nose drops may help to keep the nose tissues moist.
Colds and flu tend to be more common in the winter. Ear infections are caused as child's immune system is not fully developed. Influenza vaccine helps to reduce the risk of bacteria and viruses.
Hypothermia is a potentially dangerous drop in body temperature, usually caused by prolonged exposure to cold temperatures. Cold-to-touch, bright red skin, intense shivering, numbness and unusually low energy are some of the symptoms. Staying in warm place; changing to dry cloths; giving hot drinks; warming up palm, feet, chest and head; covering the body in layers can help to raise the body temperature.
Frostbite or cold burn is caused in exposed areas due to freezing. It usually affects fingers, toes, ears, nose, chin, and cheeks. Pale grey or blistered skin; numbness; burning sensation are some of the warning signs. Warming the skin, having warm drinks, covering with clothing or blankets and not rubbing the frozen areas are some of the prompt care.

Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)

Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), also known as cot death or crib death, is the sudden unexplained death of a child less than 1year of age. It usually occurs during sleep and in winter months.

During these colder months, parents often place extra blankets or clothes on infants, hoping to provide them with more warmth. In fact, the extra material may actually increase infant's risk for SIDS.

There are some recommendations on SIDS prevention by American Academy of Pediatrics:

Always place your baby on the back to sleep and offer a clean pacifier.
Place your baby on a firm sleep surface.
Keep soft objects, toys, and loose bedding out of the baby's sleep area.
Do not smoke or allow smoking around your baby.
Don't share your bed with your baby during sleep. Keep your baby's sleep area close to, but separate from, where you and others sleep.
Don't let your baby overheat during sleep.
Avoid products that claim to reduce SIDS risk. Effectiveness and safety of these products have not been thoroughly tested. ? Don't use home monitors as a way to reduce SIDS risk. There is no proof that these monitors decrease the occurrence of SIDS. ? Reduce the chance that flat spots will develop on your baby's head by providing "tummy time" when your baby is awake and someone is watching, changing the direction that your baby lies in the crib, and avoiding too much time in car seats, carriers, and bouncers.

How to get your certificates Apostilled in Korea

An apostille is a certification provided under the Hague Convention of 1961 for authenticating documents for use in foreign countries.

The sole function is to certify the authenticity of the signature of the document.

Put simply, an apostille is a certificate that is attached to another document so that it will be accepted when used overseas.

To use in India our (degree) certificate provided by Institutions in Korea must be apostilled.

The following files providing details about how to get your certificates apostilles in South Korea.