Are you navigating the myriad of childcare options available in Japan? Whether you’re a resident or planning to move, understanding the childcare landscape is crucial. By reading this guide, you’ll gain insights to make informed decisions, ensuring a fulfilling learning experience for your child.
For general information on the Japanese education system, explore the blog post “Schooling System in Japan: What an Expat Parent Need to Know“.
General Perspective
In Japan, it’s customary for children to begin their educational journey at the tender age of three, particularly when both parents are employed. Intriguingly, studies reveal that a staggering 90% of three and four-year-olds are enrolled in a nursery or kindergarten.
Cost
The financial burden is relatively low, with the average cost for kindergartens around ¥20,000 to ¥30,000 per month. Since October 2019, tuition fees have been waived due to government initiatives, making it significantly more affordable than before. However, there are also more expensive care facilities available offering special educational options.
How to Enroll
The kindergarten and nursery programs are primarily run by municipalities, supported by the national and prefectural governments. This means each municipality can set its own requirements and program content. If you wish to learn about child care options, consulting with the municipal office of your residence is recommended.
Types of Child Care Facilities
There are various types of child care facilities, including:
- Nurseries (“Ho-iku-en”)
- Kindergartens (“Yo-chi-en”)
- Certified children’s gardens
- Community-based child care services
- Corporate nurseries
- In-hospital nurseries
- Family Support Centers
- International preschools
Among these, Hoikuen and Yochien are the top 2 child care options in Japan, utilized by most people. Hoikuen are available for children aged 0 to 5, while Yochiens cater to children aged 3 to 5. We will explain the features and how to use them in later sections.
Since there are variations depending on the region, it’s essential to first consult with your local municipal office to understand the current status of child care facilities in your area.
Hoiku-en (0-5 Years)
Hoiku-en are dedicated facilities in Japan, catering to the comprehensive care needs of children aged 0 to 5. They operate as substitutes for family care when parents, due to work or other circumstances, are unable to provide sufficient care at home. Legally, they are established under the Child Welfare Law as child welfare facilities. They typically operate for 11 hours a day, ensuring children have time for rest and meals, and also offer services during holidays.
Authorized and Non-Authorized Hoiku-en
To ensure the wholesome development of children and maintain appropriate operational standards, the national law and notifications stipulate the necessary criteria for establishing and operating Hoiku-en. Facilities that meet these criteria and receive approval from the prefectural governor are termed ‘Authorized Hoiku-en’. They often have relatively lower childcare fees due to subsidies from the government and municipalities, and applications for admission are made to the municipality of residence.
Non-Authorized Hoiku-en, on the other hand, do not meet the national standards. While they generally have higher fees, they may offer unique educational programs, extended care hours, and some even provide 24-hour care. Applications for these are made directly to the facility.
How to Enroll in Hoiku-en
Children can be enrolled in most Hoiku-en from 57 days after birth, aligning with the mandatory 8-week maternity leave stipulated by the Labor Standards Act. However, the eligible age may vary, so it’s advisable to inquire based on individual circumstances. The competition for spots in urban areas is notably high, with the application process being particularly intense in metropolitan regions.
Application Timeline for Authorized Hoiku-en
- May to July: Information gathering and Hoiku-en visits.
- July to October: Checking the application status and information on newly established Hoiku-en.
- October to December: Primary application for April enrollment.
- January to February: Notification of primary application results and subsequent procedures.
- February to March: Notification of secondary application results and subsequent procedures.
- April: Enrollment and acclimatization.
If You Don’t Get Into Your Desired Authorized Hoiku-en
- Explore Non-Authorized Hoiku-en: Many people apply to multiple Hoiku-en, so spots may open up unexpectedly after the results for Authorized Hoiku-en are announced.
- Extend Parental Leave: Legally, parental leave can be extended up to 2 years, and some companies may offer even longer periods.
Application for Non-Authorized Hoiku-en
Each Non-Authorized Hoiku-en has its own selection criteria and, in most cases, if there is an opening, enrollment is possible from the beginning of any month. Early contact is recommended as many require preliminary visits or interviews before the main application.
Yochi-en (3-5 Years)
Yochi-en are specialized facilities in Japan, designed for children aged 3 to 5, serving as a preparatory stage before they commence elementary school. They are accessible to all, with enrollment initiated by parental application. Legally categorized under the School Education Law, Yochi-en are considered a variant of schools. However, the majority emphasize nurturing foundational human values over academic learning, aligning with the cultural ethos of Japan. Children, through interactive play and engagements with peers and teachers, imbibe social skills, emotional intelligence, moral values, life attitudes, and the principles of communal living. They predominantly operate during weekdays, offering a foundational activity schedule of four hours daily and observing extended vacations.
There are two main types: public Yochi-en, sanctioned by prefectures, and private ones, managed by educational or social welfare corporations. Enrollment in public Yochi-en necessitates applications to individual municipalities, whereas private Yochi-en require direct applications.
Enrollment and Fees
The fee structure is municipally determined for public Yochi-en and institutionally for private ones. There exist subsidy provisions, termed “Enrollment Encouragement Fees,” for families with lower incomes.
How to Enroll in Yochi-en
Schedule
- April Onwards: Information gathering and open houses.
- September to October: Application form distribution and submission.
- Around October: Application reviews, interviews, and acceptance notifications. The interviews are generally more exploratory, focusing on understanding the child’s daily behavior, family’s educational philosophies, and the child’s developmental status.
- November to March: Orientation meetings for entrance preparations and uniform distributions.
- February to March: One-day trial enrollments are available in most Yochi-en to acclimate children to the new environment.
For public Yochi-en, applications are restricted to the local Yochi-en in the respective area. The procedures and locations for admissions vary by region, necessitating a review of the municipality or the desired public Yochi-en’s website.
The childcare fees, applicable to both private and public, are subsidized, with a maximum limit of 25,700 yen. Additional costs, including lunch and material fees, may range from several thousand to tens of thousands of yen.
Choosing the Right Yochi-en
It’s crucial to undertake pre-visits, participate in trial sessions, and meticulously consider the suitability of the facility, ensuring a harmonious alignment with each family’s preferences and requisites, thereby enabling a serene and conducive learning environment for the children.
Certified Kodomo-en: A Comprehensive Overview
Initiated in 2006, Certified Kodomo-en seamlessly integrates the features of both Hoiku-en and Yochi-en, offering a versatile childcare solution. It caters to children aged 0 to 5, providing 8 to 11 hours of childcare and is accessible even to guardians who are not working. With around 7,000 such facilities across the nation, the prevalence of Certified Kodomo-en is on an upward trajectory.
Enrolling in Certified Kodomo-en: A Step-by-Step Guide
The advent of the “New Child and Child-rearing Support System” in 2015 necessitated acquiring municipal certification for enrollment in any new system Certified Kodomo-en, Yochi-en, or Hoiku-en. The certification is segmented into Type 1, Type 2, and Type 3, contingent on the child’s age and the substantiated “reasons necessitating childcare.”
Reasons Necessitating Childcare Encompass:
- Varied Employment Schedules including full-time, part-time, and night shifts.
- Occurrences of Pregnancy or Childbirth.
- Guardian’s Illness or Disability.
- Requirement of Caregiving or Nursing for Relatives.
- Engagements in Disaster Recovery Efforts.
- Involvement in Job-seeking Activities.
- Participation in Educational or Vocational Training Programs.
- Situations involving potential abuse or domestic violence.
- Continuation of childcare during parental leave.
- Other circumstances acknowledged by the municipality.
| Childcare needs: high | Childcare needs: low | |
| 0-2 years | Type 3 Certification: Hoiku-en, Community-based Childcare, or Certified Kodomo-en | No Certification |
| 3-5 years | Type 2 Certification: Hoiku-en + Certified Kodomo-en | Type 1 Certification: Yochi-en, or Certified Kodomo-en |
Procedures for Type 1 Certification
Application Timeline:
- September to October: Direct applications to the chosen Certified Kodomo-en.
- October to November: Selection and provisional admission confirmation by the institution.
- December to February: Preparatory procedures including uniform acquisition, health assessments, and introductory sessions.
- Certification application and subsequent contracting are facilitated through the institution, with municipal approval.
Childcare Fee Structure: Ranges from 0 to 25,700 yen, determined by municipal guidelines and is contingent on income levels.
Procedures for Type 2 and Type 3 Certification
Application Timeline:
- Initial certification application to the municipality.
- Post-approval, application for Certified Kodomo-en is made at the municipality.
- December to January: Institutional interviews.
- February to March: Contract finalization with the institution.
- March: Orientation sessions at the institution.
Childcare Fee Structure: Ranges from 0 to 104,000 yen, regulated by the municipality and is income-dependent.
Other Childcare Options
Community-based Childcare Services, initiated in 2015, are part of the child-rearing support initiatives, catering to children aged 0 to 2. To meet diverse community needs, they offer four types of services. To avail these services, one must meet the requirements set by the local government, such as the guardians being employed.
Corporate Childcare is provided by companies for their employees, while In-Hospital Childcare is available for hospital workers.
Family Support Centers are established as local child-rearing support initiatives. They allow request members to entrust their children to provider members or ask them for child pick-up and drop-off services. The local government plays a bridging role in this. To use this service, registration at the local Family Support Center is required.
Babysitters are private services where caregivers come to the home. Many register with staffing agencies to request sitter dispatch.
Additionally, there are various childcare facilities considering the individual circumstances of each child, such as Children’s Centers providing after-school care, Child Welfare Facilities, Mother-Child Living Support Facilities, and Intellectual Disability Facilities.
International Preschools
International Preschools generally refer to facilities conducting childcare in English, although there is no strict definition. Most of these preschools are not certified by the local government. Therefore, many are non-certified childcare facilities and are not treated as “kindergartens or nurseries.” The schedule of International Preschools is often similar to that of kindergartens, varying by school, typically operating only in the morning or until 1-2 PM after lunch. The average tuition fee for International Preschools is around 80,000 to 160,000 yen per month.
For those interested in international school options in Japan, explorethe blog post “Choosing the Right International Schools in Tokyo“.
How to Enroll
Many International Schools accept admissions from one year of age, with some even accepting from birth. Typically, parents enroll their children by the age of three. Some schools have stipulated “admission by the age of three.” In such cases, education begins from around one year of age in the affiliated preschools.
Conclusion
Choosing the right childcare in Japan can seem complex, but understanding each option is key to making the right decision. Whether it’s Hoiku-en, Yochi-en, Nintei Kodomo-en, or an International Preschool, parents have a wealth of choices to explore. The availability of various community-based and specialized services further expands these options. It’s crucial for parents to assess their needs and consult with local authorities to find the best fit, ensuring their children grow in a nurturing and enriching environment that aligns with their family values and goals.