This study examines to what extent the Korean National Kindergarten Curriculum has actually influenced pre-school practices. This study explores the characteristics of the National Kindergarten Curriculum as it is implemented in Korea. It also examines pre-school teachers' perceptions, daily practice and the curriculum content in pre-school settings in Korea. This study shows that despite a child centred Korean National Curriculum and the teachers' beliefs, the actual practices in the pre-schools are significantly different from child-centred philosophies.