Facilities for preschool children
Nursery schools (daycare centers), kindergartens, and certified child centers are facilities that take care of children before they enter elementary school.
The eligible child ages and hours of services differ depending on the facility.
Discuss among your family and choose a facility that suits you.
Children between the ages of 3 and 5 can use nursery schools (daycare centers), kindergartens, and certified child centers free of charge.
[Nursery school (daycare center)]
This facility is to take care of children from 0 years old until the age before entering elementary school whose parents are working.
- Children are taken care for about 8 hours a day.
Some nursery schools take care of children from early in the morning, or some do until at night.
- Apply to the local municipal office if you want to enroll your
[Kindergarten]
This facility is for children from the age of 3 until they enter elementary school to learn various things while playing.
- Children spend about 4 hours a day in kindergarten.
There are some kindergartens that you can leave your child from early morning, and/or until evening or night.
- Choose a kindergarten by yourself and apply for it if you want to enroll your child in a kindergarten.
If you find a kindergarten that interests you, visit it or attend an information session.
[Certified Child Center]
This facility takes care of children from 0 years old until they enter elementary school. It has combined functions of a nursery school and a kindergarten.
Both children whose parents are working and children whose parents are not working can enroll in it.
If you want to enroll your child in a certified child center, consult with your local municipal office or the certified child center you are interested.
Other services for children
[Temporary daycare]
When parents become ill or cannot take care of their children due to some personal business, nursery schools, kindergartens, or certified child centers can keep their children for a short period of time.
Ask your local municipal office about which child and what reasons are eligible to use this service.
[Sick child daycare/recovering child daycare]
"Sick child daycare (byoji hoiku)" is a service that takes care of sick children in dedicated spaces inside of nursery schools, hospitals, etc.
This service is available for when a child has a fever and cannot be sent to the nursery school, but their parents cannot take time off from work to take care of their child.
"Recovering Child Care (byogoji hoiku)" is a service that takes care of children who are recovering from illness in dedicated spaces inside of nursery schools, hospitals, etc.
This service is available for when a child cannot be sent to the nursery school yet and their parents cannot take time off from work to take care of them, even though the child's fever has subsided.
Pre-registration is often required.
Ask your local municipal office for more details.
[Family Support Center]
This is a system that matches those who want to help in raising a child with those who need it.
Available services:
- Pick-ups for your child
When you need your child to be picked up to/from nursery school, etc.
- Babysitting
When you need to go to a wedding, funeral, other children's school events, etc.
Ask your local municipal office for more details.
