Understand the differences between nursery schools, kindergartens and certified centers for early childhood education and care, the application process including certification of need for childcare, and what the free childcare program covers, and be able to consult and apply at your municipality or a facility yourself.
Explanation
The main places to leave your child are nursery schools (保育所 / 保育園), kindergartens (幼稚園) and certified centers for early childhood education and care (認定こども園). Nursery schools care for children from age 0 until they start elementary school, for families who cannot care for them at home because of work, pregnancy or childbirth, illness, caring for a family member, and so on. You receive a "certification of need for childcare" (保育の必要性の認定) from your municipality and apply to the municipality. Kindergartens start from age 3, and in most cases you apply directly to the kindergarten.
Fees for the age 3–5 classes are free under a national program (for kindergartens, from the child's third birthday, up to 25,700 yen (2.57万円) per month). For ages 0–2, households exempt from resident tax are covered. Costs such as meal ingredients and school bus fees are, in principle, paid by parents.
From fiscal 2026, the "Childcare for All Children" program (こども誰でも通園制度) has also started, which children from 6 months to under 3 years old who do not attend a nursery school or similar facility can use for up to 10 hours a month. Application periods and methods differ by municipality.
What do you need to do to use a nursery school (hoikusho / hoikuen)?
Receive a certification of need for childcare from your municipality and apply to the municipality
Leave your residence card with the nursery school
Wait until your child turns 3
Pass a Japanese-language test
AnswerA. Receive a certification of need for childcare from your municipality and apply to the municipality
Families who cannot care for their child at home, for example because the parents work, receive the municipality's certification and then apply.
Q2
Under the national free childcare program, fees are free, in principle, for children of what age?
All children from age 0 until elementary school
Elementary school students
The age 3–5 classes (for kindergartens, from the third birthday)
Only 5-year-olds
AnswerC. The age 3–5 classes (for kindergartens, from the third birthday)
The age 3–5 classes are free in principle (for kindergartens, from the third birthday). For ages 0–2, households exempt from resident tax are covered.
Q3
Even with the free program, what do parents pay, in principle?
All kindergarten tuition
Meal ingredient costs and school bus fees
All nursery school fees
A registration fee paid to the government
AnswerB. Meal ingredient costs and school bus fees
Meal ingredient costs, transportation costs, event costs and so on are, in principle, paid by parents (some households are exempt from side-dish costs).
Q4
From what age can children mainly start kindergarten?
Age 0
Age 1
After entering elementary school
Age 3
AnswerD. Age 3
Kindergarten is a place of education for children from age 3 until they start elementary school.
Q5
Which is a correct description of the "Childcare for All Children" program?
It can only be used if the parent is working
Children from 6 months to under 3 years old who do not attend a nursery school or similar facility can use it for up to 10 hours a month
It is a program for elementary school students
Children can be left for 8 hours every day
AnswerB. Children from 6 months to under 3 years old who do not attend a nursery school or similar facility can use it for up to 10 hours a month
Regardless of whether the parent works, it can be used by the hour within 10 hours a month. Apply following your municipality's method.
Frequently asked questions
Q. Can children of foreign nationality attend nursery school?
A. You can apply for the certification of need for childcare in the municipality where you live, regardless of nationality. However, in areas with many applicants, your child may not be able to get a place right away even if you apply. Required documents (such as proof of employment) and deadlines differ by municipality, so check with your municipality's childcare counter.
Q. Can I use nursery school while I'm looking for work?
A. Job hunting may also be accepted as a reason for needing childcare, but conditions such as how long you can use it differ by municipality. Ask at your municipality's counter.
Q. Can children with disabilities or illnesses attend?
A. How children are accepted and supported differs by facility and municipality. When you visit or apply, explain your child's condition and any support they need, and consult your municipality's counter or the facility.
Practice: answer the questions on this page
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Systems and procedures may differ depending on the city, ward, town or village where you live and on the time of year. Please check the latest information from your local government or the relevant organizations. Content checked on: 2026-09-28
This page is a translation of the Japanese original. If the translation and the original differ, the Japanese version takes precedence. View the Japanese original