The very first post in my new category, “The Edogawa Files,”’ is all about Funabori Kindergarten and applying to public Kindergarten in Edogawa City.
This post is not affiliated with Edogawa City, Funabori Kindergarten, Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare, the Ministry of Education, Sports, and Culture and/or other relevant governing bodies.
Funabori Kindergarten and Applying To Public Kindergarten in Edogawa City
Before I jump into the application procedure to Funabori Kindergarten, I think it’s important to share the types of “care services” in Japan, which are largely broken into two categories: daycare and kindergarten. Which one you apply to will spend largely on your family situation.
What’s The Difference Between Kindergarten and Daycare in Japan?
Here’s a super quick recap on the difference between kindergarten and daycare in Japan:
Daycare (hoikuen // 保育園)
Kindergarten (youchien //幼稚園)
The terms 幼稚園 (yochien) and 保育園 (hoiken) are used interchangeably but they are fundamentally different institutions in Japan:
Daycare is…
- For infants 56 days old to 6 years of age
- School day is from 7:00 to 20:00
- Overseen by the Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare
The primary purpose of daycare in Japan is to provide a safe and nurturing environment for babies and children while their primary caretaker is at work.
Kindergarten is…
- For children 3+
- School day is from 9:00 to 2:00
- Overseen by the Ministry of Education, Sports, and Culture
The primary purpose of kindergarten is to prepare children for first grade and beyond.
About Kindergarten in Japan
When it comes to kindergarten in Japan, you have public and private options.
Public Kindergartens…
- Are run by the local administrative government
- 2 year program (for children aged 4+)
- Average tuition is 223,364 yen/year
- No school bus — parents do drop-off/pickup
- Curriculum focused on autonomy/independence
Private Kindergartens…
- Are run by incorporated educational institutions or social welfare corporations
- 3 year program (for children aged 3+)
- Average tuition is 527,916 yen/year
- School bus service available
- Curriculum focused on education
Info taken from https://hoikutizu.jp/articles/nursery-recruitment/kindergarten-preparation (link in Japanese).
As of October 2022, there are 37 private kindergartens in Edogawa City, but there is ONE public kindergarten in Edogawa City: Funabori Kindergarten.
About Funabori Kindergarten (江戸川区立船堀幼稚園)
Location
Funabori Kindergarten is located 7 minutes away from Funabori Station on the Toei Shinjuku Line.
School Day
The school day is from 9:00 to 14:00, with the second and fourth Wednesday being half-days (Until 12:30).
Bus Service
There is no school bus service available; parents are required to pick up and drop off their children.
School Lunch
Likewise, Funabori Kindergarten does not offer school lunch. Please prepare a lunch box (bento).
Extended Childcare
Extended (after-hours) childcare is available. for details, please inquire directly at Funabori Kindergarten.
April 2023 Admission To Funabori Kindergarten
There are 70 spots available for 4 year olds. (Applications will also be accepted for 5 year olds.) A lottery will take place if the number of applicants exceed the number of spots.
Admission Requirements
- Must be a resident of Edogawa City
- Child must be born between April 2, 2017 and April 1, 2019
Application Process
The one page application is in Japanese, but below is a sample that I quickly created:
Submit your application IN PERSON at Funabori Kindergarten on the following days:
- Wednesday, November 2
- Friday, November 4
- Monday, November 7
There will be health check and a brief interview in December.
All successful applicants will receive a letter of admission.
There will be an entrance information session in January 2023.
Fees & Tuition
Enrollment Fees: 20,000 yen
Tuition: 2,500 yen/month
Information Session
A kindergarten tour will take place on Thursday, October 20th, from 9:45 to 11:15.
If you are unable to attend in person, you may participate via ZOOM during the same time:
Webinar ID: 850 9740 3786
Password: 20221020
Please be aware that the information sessions are in Japanese. However, interpreting devices will be on hand.
Funabori Kindergarten and Applying To Public Kindergarten in Edogawa City
Funabori Kindergarten
Address: Funabori 6-11-39
TEL: 03-3675-1131
For additional information on applying to public kindergarten in Edogawa City, please contact the Edogawa City Board of Education, School Affairs Division at 03-5662-1624.
For more information on kindergarten in Japan, please read the following posts:
An Inside Look At Kindergarten in Japan
Sending Your Child to International or Japanese Kindergarten
Getting Your Child Ready For Japanese Daycare or Kindergarten
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