Journal of the Korean Cartographic Association ISSN:1598-6160(Print) 한국지도학회지

This study examines the rapid growth of early childhood private education in Korea and the intensifying imbalance of educational and care infrastructure across regions. Using spatial statistical methods, we analyze the distribution and correlation of private academies for young children and counseling/therapy centers. Out of 8,761 educational institutions nationwide, over 66% are concentrated in the Seoul metropolitan area and major cities, with foreign language academies showing particularly high spatial concentration. Counseling and play therapy centers also exhibit clustering in specific large cities and their surrounding areas. Analysis of institution density per child at the district level, Spearman’s nonparametric correlation, and spatial autocorrelation indicates a statistically significant positive association between the distribution of education and counseling facilities, especially in several metropolitan and urban districts. Our findings highlight the structural imbalance in regional infrastructure and the spatial interlinkage between educational and counseling resources for young children. By providing robust empirical evidence, this study underscores the urgent need for regionally customized policies to promote a balanced and equitable educational and care environment for all children.