Jeonbuk National University (JBNU) Professor Kim Tae‑yeon of the Department of Child Studies, College of Human Ecology, received the Ministerial Award in the 2025 Government Commendations for Contributions to Childcare for her contributions to improving the quality of childcare and strengthening the professionalism of childcare teachers.

Professor Kim began her career in 2004 as a childcare teacher and, over more than 20 years, has led change in the field through roles as a childcare teacher, daycare center director, researcher, and university professor.

In particular, as head of JBNU’s in-service training program for childcare staff, she has conducted over 20 in-service training sessions since 2023, recording approximately 1,600 cumulative completers and achieving an average training satisfaction score of 4.8 out of 5. She established a field-centered, effective training model and was recognized for significantly strengthening regional childcare infrastructure.

She also worked at the Seoul Court Daycare Center, the Daycare Center of the Korea Sports Promotion Foundation, and the Anyang Court Daycare Center, leading improvements in childcare staff treatment such as raising parental satisfaction by providing child growth videos, strengthening staff communication, reducing workload, and securing rest areas.

She led the opening and operation of the Anyang Court Daycare Center and implemented tailored childcare that reflected the working patterns of government employees, contributing to the welfare of children of local court, prosecutor's office, police, and fire department personnel.

Professor Kim has actively conducted research on childcare teacher professionalism, child literacy development, child and adolescent leisure, and the integration of preschool and childcare policy. She has published 31 papers to date, contributing to the expansion of the academic foundation in the field of childcare studies.

Professor Kim Tae‑yeon said, "This award is not an individual achievement but the result of the efforts of childcare staff and fellow researchers who have been working together in the field for a long time," and added, "I will continue to serve as a bridge between childcare practice, policy, and scholarship to help create a childcare environment in which children, parents, and teachers are all respected."