We just arrive in Japan and have a 2 years old daughter, I have HSP visa and family are dependent. My partner doesn’t have work. We are looking for a pre-kindergarten school or daycare for our daughter. However, it seems like we need to apply a document in the government that states 2 parents are working to be able to enroll her. I understand that public 幼稚園 are like this, but how about private ones? What are the usual options for this scenario in Japan?
I live in Chiba area.
4 comments
The usual option is paying for a private pre-school. There are very few spots in public pre-schools so th government subsidizes the private pre-school for working parents and prioritizes public pre-school for working parents.
I believe 幼稚園 (yochien, often called preschool or kindergarten in English translation) only begins at age 3, so with a 2 year old you’re looking for either 保育園 (hoikuen; often called daycares or nursery in English translation), which you likely wouldn’t qualify for with only one working parent (there’s a high demand for these spots), or a private daycare/preschool. 保育園 are meant to provide care for children whose parents are working or otherwise unable to care for them during the day. 幼稚園 is meant to provide education, not caregiving. Many families with a SAHP send their kids to 幼稚園 as a way to prepare for elementary school. The hours are shorter, more holidays, and even can require parent involvement.
We went the private daycare/preschool (international school) route with our kid from 2.5-3 years old. It was very expensive, but basically our only choice (also one parent was not working) until she aged into 幼稚園 at 3 years old. The daycare/preschool did not care about our work/income— only if we could pay their high prices!
ETA: note that if you want your child to go to 幼稚園, the application process begins the fall before the April start date (and your child must be 3 by April 1). For some 幼稚園 there’s a whole visiting/interview process, and it can be very competitive for the desirable places. Start your research early!
As you’re on HSP, I guess your income is on the higher side. In that case keep in mind even if you manage to find a spot at a public 保育園 (since your kid is 2), the fee won’t be much cheaper than a private one.
Even if only one parent is working, you can still apply (any time) for public Hoikuen, you’ll just be lower on the priority lis. A child with both parents working will get chosen over yours.
If you write down your partner is job hunting (which might never succeed), you will be able to send your child for 3 months only. Every three months you need to reapply for a Hoikuen, you can be lucky to go to the same one as before, or if their spots got filled, they will go down your list of preferences. It’s definitely cheaper than private Hoikuens, but less assurance you’ll always have a spot.