In response to the “National Collective Child Rearing for 0-6 Years Old” policy, our university, commissioned by the Pingtung County Government, has established the “Neipu Community Public Childcare Home” located on the campus of Dongning Elementary School’s Yueying Branch. Taking advantage of the local Hakka geography and the support of the Hakka Affairs Council, this institution has become the first “Infant and Toddler Hakka Language Nest” childcare facility in Taiwan. It integrates Hakka daily life language and cultural contexts into daily care, allowing entrusted infants and toddlers to grow in natural language environments. Through the power of the home, it encourages interaction between children and elders in Hakka, enabling children to become proficient in bilingualism. After 10 months of preparation, the “Neipu Community Public Childcare Home” officially opened on April 15 and is currently successfully caring for infants and toddlers aged 0-2.
Situated within the campus of Dongning Elementary School’s Yueying Branch, the home is managed by our university’s Department of Early Childhood Care and Education, representing another successful case of “university and elementary school collaboration.” Under the efforts of Project Leader Assistant Professor Yang Bi-Huin, Co-Project Leaders Professor Hsu Chung-Yuan, Professor Cheng Fen-Lan, and Department Chair Director Zeng Rong-Xiang, the home features a fresh and natural woodcraft style. The entire floor is covered with soft mats, and teaching toys are made of natural wooden toys that suit the physical and mental development of infants and toddlers. For toddlers undergoing walking and toilet training, handrails and small toilets are considerately provided. The outdoor space, dedicated to the home, is a wonderful place for babies to take walks and experience the beauty of nature.
The four childcare staff hired by the Neipu home are all graduates of our university’s Department of Early Childhood Care and Education, demonstrating specialized services for their hometown. This also provides opportunities for younger students from the department to engage in practical learning in the field, establishing real connections with the industry.
The Neipu home places significant emphasis on parent-child reading, having procured a large number of infant and toddler picture books. It practices daily storytelling sessions, designs picture book-related experiential activities in line with seasonal changes, and encourages parents to borrow picture books for shared reading at home. The educational mission of the home is to “eat well, sleep well, play well, study well, and grow well.”
The home is currently at full capacity with a waiting list. Parents with needs are welcome to contact the home for details at 08-778-1266 or visit the “Neipu Township Community Public Childcare Home” fan page for updates.
