My son is going to graduate from his daycare (保育園) at the end of this month. There’s a short graduation ceremony on his last day. My wife and I are foreigners and our son goes to a typical Japanese daycare. We’re very thankful for all the care they have given to our son. He has been there for a year. I have two questions:
1. What to wear for the graduation ceremony? Is it expected to wear formals? Mind you, it’s not a 幼稚園, only a 保育園.
2. Can we gift something to the teachers/daycare to show our appreciation? I can afford to pay upto 10,000 yen for the gift. Would a card or a hand written note be of some value?
Please help us with enlightening what the locals do here. TIA.
4 comments
My brother in law just had for my nephew. He wore a suit and tie. Don’t wear a black tie as that’s for funerals.
1. Dress up semi-formal. If you’re a man wear a suit. As for your wife, a pants suit or a one piece with a jacket would be appropriate. Or something similar along those lines. Regarding her hair, it’s proper manners that her hairstyle for the event isn’t 派手すぎる.
2. If you want to give a gift, buy a nice omiyage set with enough pieces that it can be shared among all of the teachers and staff. Give it to 園長先生. If you want to include a hand written note expressing your gratitude then that’s fine but it’s also not required to give a gift.
Just participated at one in the 保育園 I work at.
1. Formal clothes like スーツ or ワイシャツ (for men) are appropriate. The children should wear something formal too.
2. Maybe you can get together with other parents and gift a bouquet or something to the teachers (and 園長先生). Not sure about “solo” gifts.
For the gift other parents probably have a LINE group preparing for flowers and stuff for the room teacher and enchou sensei. If it’s possible you can ask them what the plan is. Usually there will be one parent in the group doing a speech thanking the teachers. However keep in mind that the other parents probably won’t be expecting much from you as your child has only been there for 1 year.
Also be careful not to one up on the gift the other parents are preparing, usually one person will not be paying 10,000 yen for a gift.
But don’t forget to have fun and take lots of video and pictures. The kids have been practicing the graduation for weeks and u can see the relief once it’s over!