According to a recent KindiePlus survey (2023) conducted with expat families about their experiences applying for childcare in Japan, most expat parents/carers in Japan feel that the application process is ‘incredibly stressful and confusing’. They point out that it was impossible to ‘understand where to start from’ and decipher the ‘too many steps and confusing paperwork in Japanese’.
In this guidebook, we provide a comprehensive applications’ roadmap that will help you take one step at a time until you reach submission day and beyond. From researching schools, preparing your documents and submitting your application, here you will find everything you need to do.
Step 1: Understand the official Application process, your Childcare Options & your Timeline
- Learn more about the application process in your ward, Read your ward’s guidebook translated in English here.
- Understand the different types of childcare in Japan, read the KindiePlus guide What are the different types of early years childcare settings in Japan?
- Understand the application timeline and mark important dates. Continue reading below.
Important Dates for April Admissions
Applications Open | Late October |
Results Notification | Early February (second or third week of February) |
Application Submission Period | November- December |
Application Submission via | Online Your local Ward’s Office Post |
My Timeline for April Admissions
For information about admissions after April read your ward’s guidebook translated in English here.
Step 2: Find childcare facilities in your ward and make a list of your top choices
Narrowing down the available childcare options can be a daunting experience. What are the factors that will help you improve your search results? This KindiePlus guide on How to choose a childcare facility in Japan can help you identify your preferences and make a plan.
Our KindiePlus map app is coming soon! Until then, here’s an online map of all the available schools in Tokyo. It’s a great tool to find childcare near you. Unfortunately, the map is available only in Japanese. But, we have tested the browser google translation for you and we think it’s accurate enough to help you find basic information about nurseries. You can customise your search based on your location and other criteria based on the above KindiePlus guide.
Another way to narrow down the available choices and make an informed decision is to check the official audit reports and parents’ reviews of schools in your local community. Unfortunately, this information is available in Japanese only. But, if you can’t read Japanese, don’t worry, we have you covered. We have written a summary report of the schools’ official audit report in each ward based on the official reports. You can read it here.
Step 3: Visit your top choices & Checklist
After narrowing down your choices, it’s important to make a point of visiting each school. You can arrange school visits directly with the schools you prefer. This KindiePlus School Visit Checklist will help ask the right questions during your visits and collect important information about your child’s care
Step 4: Draft and Submit your application (English Template and Example)
- Gather the documents you need to submit with your application. Use the KindiePlus checklist and the official checklist provided by your ward.
- Calculating your index points using the KindiePlus Index Points Guidebook and scenarios
- Draft your application using this KindiePlus Template and Example.
- Submit your application and the required documents online, via post or at the ward office counter.
TIP: Submit your application at least 10 days prior to the deadline to allow time for corrections and resubmission. If mistakes are found in your application, the admissions staff may ask you to resubmit your application. If you submit your application too close to the deadline you may not be eligible for resubmission.
Step 5: Notification of results & Offer
In February, if your application is successful, you’ll be sent a ‘Notice of Provisional Admissions Offer’ to a childcare centre. Then the childcare centre that you’ve got the offer will contact you for an interview and medical examination. The date and time will be set roughly between 9am to 2pm on weekdays. You will be asked to attend the interview with your child/children.
Step 6: Interview & Medical examination
On the day, you will be asked to bring with you the Approval Certificate and the Maternal and Child health Handbook.
Step 7: Admissions
Congratulations, you have successfully entered a childcare facility in Japan. Now you need to prepare for admissions.
First school appointment
Many schools ask parents to book an appointment with their staff (the teacher and the headmaster) a few days before the start date to submit important documents and learn more about the school. You will be given valuable resources for the school’s structure and daily routine and other important information.
Entrance ceremony (Orientation day)
During the Entrance ceremony, you will have the opportunity to meet the teachers and other families. You will learn more about the school and your child’s daily routine. Your child will have the opportunity to interact with other kids and their teachers.
Transition period (narashihoiku)
Starting nursery for the very first time can be a very stressful experience for many children and their carers. The Japanese schooling system has anticipated how vulnerable children are during the first few weeks of nursery school and therefore they provide a transition period service for all families (in Japanese is called narashihoiku). During this transition period, children attend nursery only for a brief period of time. For example, for an hour or two at a time. This arrangement can last one to three weeks, depending on the daycare. During these weeks, the time of attendance increases gradually until it reaches the maximum amount of hours which is full-time.
If you have more questions about childcare in Japan or you need help with your application, book an online consultation with our expert Educational Consultant. For more information see our Services. We provide a wide range of consultancy services, including personalized advice on how to prepare, what schools to choose and how to submit the applications.
Useful KindiePlus Guidebooks
Transition period: What to expect?
Supplies: what items do you need to prepare for nursery?
Food Stages and nurseries in Japan
Easy recipes to introduce Japanese ingredients to your baby & toddler