Procedures for Childcare Centers (Hoikuen) and Schools
Procedures for Childcare Centers (Hoikuen) and Schools
In Japan, children who are 6–11 years old as of April 1 of a given year attend elementary school, and children who are 12–14 years old attend junior high school.
Young children who have not yet entered elementary school are called “pre-school children.” If parents or guardians are unable to care for their pre-school children (due to work, study, illness, etc.), they can enroll them in a childcare center (Hoikuen). Alternatively, pre-school children can also attend a kindergarten (Yochien), where they participate in play-based and educational activities. Facilities that combine the functions of both childcare centers and kindergartens are called “certified centers for early childhood education and care” (kodomo-en).
For information about application procedures and fees for childcare facilities, please contact your city office.
In addition to municipal childcare centers, some are operated by the University of Osaka and private companies. If you are interested in these facilities, please contact the Diversity Promotion Division, Department of Planning at the University of Osaka.
If you are having difficulty completing procedures for your children or have concerns regarding your children, you can also consult your city’s foreign resident consultation service. Contact details and websites for each city are listed below.
Procedures for Enrolling Young Children in Childcare Centers (Hoikuen)
■Suita City Childcare Support Concierge (Children’s Department, Nobinobi Kosodate Plaza) Tel: 06-6875-0665
Suita City Official Website – Childcare Support Concierge Services
■Toyonaka City Childcare Benefits Division, Children’s Future Department Tel: 06-6875-0665
Consultations for Admission to Childcare Facilities (Online/In-person Consultation Reservations) – Toyonaka City
■ Minoh City Children’s Future Creation Bureau, Childcare and Kindergarten Services Office Tel: 072-724-6791
Information and Procedures for Childcare Centers, Certified Childcare Centers, and Kindergartens – Minoh City
■Ibaraki City Childcare and Kindergarten Services Division, Child Development Department Tel: 072-620-1638
FY2025 Enrollment Guide for Childcare Centers (Download Application Guide) – Ibaraki City
■Ikeda City Childcare Concierge (Childcare Division, Children and Health Department) Tel: 072-754-6208
Please consult with the Childcare Concierge / Ikeda City
Childcare Centers at the University of Osaka / Company-Operated Childcare Centers / Other Childcare Support at the University of Osaka
Support Section, Diversity Promotion Division, Department of Planning, the University of Osaka Tel: 06-6105-5989
WLB Support Systems | Center for Diversity & Inclusion
Procedures for School Enrollment
■Suita City Academic Affairs Division, School Education Department Tel: 06-6155-8195
List of Electronic Applications for School Enrollment and Related Notifications | Suita City Official Website
(Reference: FY2025 Elementary and Junior High School Enrollment Procedures – Suita International Friendship Association)
■Toyonaka City Educational Affairs and Health Division, Toyonaka City Board of Education Tel: 06-6858-2553
School Transfer Procedures – Toyonaka City
■Minoh City School Life Support Office, Children’s Future Creation Bureau Tel: 072-724-6760
School Admission and Enrollment – Minoh City
■Ibaraki City School Education Promotion Division, School Education Department, Ibaraki City Board of Education Tel: 072-620-1684
Transferring to Ibaraki Municipal Elementary and Junior High Schools (When Moving to Ibaraki City from Another Municipality) – Ibaraki City
■Ikeda City Academic Affairs Division, Administration Department, Board of Education, Ikeda City Board of Education Tel: 072-754-6291
School Enrollment and Transfers – Ikeda City
Consultation Services for Children and Families
■Suita City Multicultural One-Stop Consultation Center
Suita City: Multicultural Coexistence One-Stop Consultation Center
■Toyonaka City Consultation Services for Foreign Residents
Consultation Services for Foreign Residents – Toyonaka City
■Minoh City Minoh Association for Global Awareness (MAFGA) – Consultation Services
Consultation – mafga
■Ibaraki City Consultation Services for Foreign Residents
Consultation Services for Foreign Residents – Ibaraki City
■Ikeda City Ikeda Diversity Center (IDC) – Foreign Resident Consultation Office
Ikeda City: Consultation Services for Foreign Residents
Vaccinations for Children
In Japan, there are designated periods during which children can receive free vaccinations for vaccine-preventable diseases (VPD). You must complete required procedures at your city office to receive vaccination coupons. If you are having difficulty completing procedures for your children or have concerns regarding your children, you can also consult your city’s foreign resident consultation service. (Please refer to the section above for contact information.)
Contact details and websites for each city are listed below. A website providing vaccination information for foreign residents is also included at the end.
■Suita City Community Health Division, Health and Medical Department Tel: 06-4860-6151
Children’s Routine Vaccinations – Suita City Official Website
■Toyonaka City Vaccine Section, Health Crisis Management Division, Public Health Center Tel: 06-6152-7329
Overview of Children’s Vaccinations – Toyonaka City
■Minoh City Child Health Office, Children’s Future Creation Bureau Tel: 072-724-6768
Children’s Routine Vaccinations – Minoh City
■Ibaraki City Childcare Support Division, Child Development Department Tel: 072-624-9301
[List] Types and Methods of Routine (Publicly Funded) Vaccinations – Ibaraki City
■Ikeda City Health Promotion Division, Children and Health Department Tel: 072-754-6031
About Vaccinations for Children – Ikeda City
■Vaccination Research Center – “Vaccinations and Children’s Health” (Multilingual Editions, Free PDF)
Public Foundation of Vaccination Research Center