Our child care principles

We want to raise each child to respect his or her own self as well as to be a responsible member of society. We encourage each child to take pride in building a more humane society through cooperation with others.

Aims for our children

1. A healthy child

Our health is constantly under threat from modern environmental problems such as air pollution, food additives, the increase of automobiles and the overall destruction of nature. We think it important that each child develops physical health first so that he or she can actively engage in the many activities in life.

2. A child who respects others as much as oneself

Self-assertion without consideration for others is commonly seen these days. A child who can think and care for others as much as for her or himself is strongly hoped for.

3. A child who can express his or her own opinions

We encourage each child to be familiar with and take a lively interest in a wide range of activities and issues; to be able to express her or his opinions and to take actions when necessary.

4. A child who finds pleasure in working

To regard "work" as a creative activity which makes our life richer and more meaningful is valuable for children. We think it important that each child develops his or her ability to tackle problems through playing, with other children or individually and that each child learns the full use of the hands and whole body.

5. A child who loves nature

We want to give each child the environment and opportunities to encounter real art and nurture each child's feelings and sense of appreciation of nature and beautiful things.

Aims and goals for each semester

0-1 year

Get to know friends and teachers and enjoy playing.

2-5 years

Semester I (April, May)	Get to know new friends and teachers.
Semester II (June - September)	2-3 years: Come to know your friends better through activities which strengthen your body. 4-5 years: Make your group better through activities which aim at making a strong body.
Semester III (September - December)	Make our daily life richer through activities based on manual skills.
Semester IV (January - March)	Nurture our feelings through creative activities. Prepare for graduation and moving up to the next age group.

Aims and goals for each developmental stage

0-1 year of age

* To take time for crawling, walking on hands and legs, then walk on two legs.

* To feel accepted in good relationships with adults and enjoy playing with them.

* To imitate simple words through daily living, playing and experiences.

* To go into nature.

1-2 years of age

* Walk steadily and enjoy using your whole body.

* Enjoy playing in a group of children and adults.

* Develop language slowly through activities and relations with others.

* Learn through observation and copying and then try to do your own things for yourself.

* Play in nature.

2-3 years of age

* Try to do your own things independently.

* Explore wide range of activities and learn to enjoy using your whole body.

* Express your feelings and demands.

* Find out how things work and learn simple handling of toys and instruments.

* Enjoy playing with your friends.

* Understand words of adults and respond.

3-4 years of age

* Acquire coordination through the full use of the whole body.

* Let simple make-believe evolve into wider role-playing activities.

* Express verbally how you feel and what you think, and come to understand your friends better. (Listen carefully to what teachers and friends say.)

* Perform daily functions; eating, going to the toilet, changing clothes etc., for yourself or do them with your friends.

* Come closer to nature and develop your curiosity.

* Enjoy singing, drawing and making things.

4-5 years of age

* Build a well-balanced body through developing basic motor functions.

* Come to know the effort it takes to accomplish a task through cooperation in groups of 2-6 children.

* Understand the rules of a game and play with others.

* Make yourself understood by expressing your opinions. Listen to your friends' and decide what to do.

* Take care of your own belongings and those of your friends' as well.

* Develop your curiosity for nature including our bodies, their appearance, diversity and changes.

* Express your feelings through words, shapes, forms and action.

5-6 years of age

* Control your whole body, learn new skills and movement.

* Try to make as many friends as possible and realize that you are in the oldest age group.

* Let games and activities develop as you play with friends.

* Acquire the ability to assert your opinions in discussion, consider other friends' points of view and think what to do.

* Experience the sense of accomplishment through cooperation.

* Try to have goals and aims, work on a task willingly and have a sense of accomplishment.

* Play in and observe nature and develop scientific thinking.

* Express your feelings through words, shapes, forms and action more creatively.

Opening hours : 8 o'clock in the morning to 6 o'clock in the evening

Closing days : Sunday, national holidays, end of the year days and new year days

Number of children (approximately) :

Age	0 year	1 year	2 years	3 years	4 years	5 years
Number	12 - 13	16	20	20	20	20 - 22

Total 110

Number of staff:

Director of the child care center 1

Teachers 18

Teachers in charge of each age group 13

Teachers without a specified class 4

Teacher for children with disabilities 1

Dietitian 1

Cook 2

Clerk 1

Nurse (part time) 1

Teachers for after 6 (part time) 3

Helpers (part time) 2