Local municipal administrative offices handle the applications for accredited nursery schools.
| Application for enrollment in a nursery school |
Applicants must visit the municipal administrative office of the area where the nursery schools they wish to enroll in are located. Some municipalities prepare a list of nursery schools within their districts, which may help them choose schools. Some municipalities also accept multiple applications from single applicants.
Documents that must be submitted vary among municipalities. However in general, they include: an application form; report on situations of the family and children; copies of certificate of withholding tax and income tax return; and document to prove the household is not able to look after the child(ren) at home. Applications are accepted any time but some municipalities set limits for enrollments of April. Details must be confirmed at local offices. |
| Necessary documents |
Where to submit / enquire |
Accepted period |
1. Application form for nursery school enrollment
2. Report on situations of the family and children
3. Document proving difficulties of childcare at home (employment certificates for the parents, etc)
4. Copies of certificate of withholding tax and income tax return, or taxation certificate etc |
Municipal administrative offices |
Any time, however some municipalities set deadlines for enrollment of April. Please make sure to confirm it. |
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| Screening |
A section in charge at each municipal administrative office screens applicants, with priorities given to those with a higher level of difficulty in home childcare (NOT on a first-come, first-served basis). A meeting is hold to match the number of vacancies at each school and applicants, thereafter deciding preliminarily accepted applicants. |
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Notification of preliminary acceptance |
Applicants receive a notification of whether or not they are preliminarily accepted (some municipalities do not notify unaccepted applicants). |
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Interview and decision for enrollment |
After the notification, an interview and explanatory meeting is held at the accepting nursery school. Items parents must prepare for use at school are also explained. |
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| Entry into nursery school |
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Non-accredited nursery schools are facilities that do not satisfy the state standards for their size and the number of enrolled children. The ways of operations and details of facilities differ significantly among such facilities. Some of them receive subsidies from local municipal administrative offices and are deemed equivalent to accredited ones. Many of non-accredited nursery schools are small-scale and for children of younger ages.
