The purpose of this study is to theoretically investigate the problem of the after-school
self-care of the elementary school students who are in the situation of 'care cliff'. This was
done to derive educational implications. First, I checked the elementary school students'
after-school care gaps. Next, I examined the background and status of after-school care
policies for elementary school students in Korea. Finally, I also confirmed the fact that
elementary school students' after-school care disparities lead to educational gaps. Based on
this, the following suggestions were made to reduce elementary school students' after-school
care gaps. First, the situation of elementary school students' after-school self-care is
extremely serious. Care policies are centered on infants and toddlers, but caring policies for
school-aged children should be systematically expanded. Second, after-school self-care
among elementary students is deepened in the vulnerable class. Care services should be
supported with careful policy consideration to prevent stigmatization effects from using
specific care services as well as quantitative expansion. Third, in order for the after-school
care policy to be implemented effectively, the ministries responsible for caring policy must
cooperate with the schools. Furthermore, close cooperation with the community is also
important.