I’m calling the city office first thing anyway today for the real answer but I’m pretty disappointed and really want someone here to tell me it’s a mistake and I’ll get my money back 🙂
We pay 48,000 a month for our child to go to nursery. We were told when he turns 3 it becomes free (besides a fee for the food or something) he turned 3 at a he very end of October. They took 48,000 from my bank on November 7th, bit annoying, now this morning they’ve taken another 48,000. Shouldn’t it be free now? Please tell me it’s a festive-themed joke and Santa’s bringing back my money wrapped in beautifully over-the-too decorated Japanese money envelope thing?
Thank you!
18 comments
Your office will be able to tell you the details so calling them is best. It is possible that it isn’t free until he enters the 3 year old class, starting in April.
Its supposed to be free? I’ve always read it was heavily subsidized to make it real cheap but not free
For my district, looks like for age based fee adjustments, it’s in April like what others have said. Below is from the manual from my district. I believe this is what you’re inquiring about. I’d imagine it’s the same for everywhere. Might be different.
Best to check with your city office like you are doing.
Timing on Decisions on Nursery Fee
Decisions on nursery fees are made twice a year: April and September. Decisions in April are based on changes in age, while those in September are based on changes in the fiscal year for income tax.
Yeah so it’s free from 年少 right? That means it will be free from next April when you child enters the 3-4 year old class.
Since he just turned 3, he’s still in the 2 year old class until April. From April he’ll be 年少 (nensho) then it’ll be free.
From my understanding, there is the national policy which is free from 3 to 5 years old. That might require your child to be in the 3-year old class. However, our local government subsidizes from the moment a child turns three. So, we had to continue paying the fee until our children joined the 3-year old class (April), but the preschool provided forms to apply for the reimbursement from the local government. We were reimbursed 100% from the local government.
Thank you for the responses everyone.
Nothing abnormal here. My daughter tuned 3 in January and we paid until the new school year. It will be free when they move into the next class.
Imagine parents with kids who were born in May, at least you only have 5 months.
He’s three years old, it only becomes free from the school year (or, IIRC from the April or September) -after- he/she turns three.
Going by school year and not age keeps everything fair, and I’d assume it’s easier in terms of program administration.
Everything works by 学年 here not by 西暦
‘How old are you?’
‘Third grade.’
↑
Like this.
It will be free from next April
No worries, its just a festive-themed joke and santa will be bringing back your money wrapped in beautiful Japanese money envelope thing. Be on the look out on the 24th so as not to miss him when he swings by
Notice – it is dependent on your local welfare office policy. So it could vary between cities and the payment is linked to your health insurance.
Usually payment changes go with the school year. My little one just turned 3 and will be free from April (bar the daycare food fee etc.).
If your little one were to start at yoichen, they could only enter from April 2024 and then would be free.
Call and see. I know for a fact that it’s the age of the child that matters and nothing else.
I don’t drive. Why are my taxes going to road maintenance?
If your kid goes to Hoikuen, even your child turned 3, it won’t be free until his/her ‘s new school year on April next year.
My son goes to Kodomoen ( they used to be Yochien ), once he turned 3, his fee was free except uniforms and food etc.
Both schools run by different government department so they have different rules I think.
It’s so confusing tbh cus lots of Japanese mothers even didn’t know about it :/
Free?
It’s not free, it’s income adjusted.
It’s 48,000 yen a month!??? wtf! I’m never having kids