Kindergarten in Japan for Tourist

[ozkai]

Originally Posted by Nyororin

You`ve heard wrong. There is a series of examinations and courses you must go through to receive your qualification to become a kindergarten teacher. You`re also required to take part in 2 refresh courses a year (usually done during summer break).

In a daycare, there has to be one certified caretaker per every 3 for children over 3, and 1 out of every 2 for children below that.

Qualifications are very strict, as are examinations of the buildings and their cleanliness, etc.

The biggest difference between what is termed as a "certified" preschool/kindergarten and an "uncertified" one is the curriculum. Certified are required to teach so much, while uncertified are not required to do any "teaching" at all.

That's new for me.

Going back around six years ago, I landed a job at a Nara "International daycare" and I can tell you that I had no formal qualifications.

The teacher who was leaving, was also an AUssie and he also had no qualifications.

I got the job but pulled out on the frst day of training due to a very aggressive Japanese main carer. She certainly appeared not to be qualified.

[Nyororin]

Originally Posted by ozkai

That's new for me.

Going back around six years ago, I landed a job at a Nara "International daycare" and I can tell you that I had no formal qualifications.

The teacher who was leaving, was also an AUssie and he also had no qualifications.

I got the job but pulled out on the frst day of training due to a very aggressive Japanese main carer. She certainly appeared not to be qualified.

Anything with "international" in the name is usually just a glorified English language school. They tend to not even bother registering as a care providing place, and skirt around the rules or flat out break the law by having so many children without proper caretakers.

In other words, I am willing to bet anything that the "International Daycare" was registered as an English language school, and not anywhere near a childcare establishment. You can get a list of registered childcare establishments at your local public office - anything not on that list and you`re taking a risk as you`re having someone illegally care for your child. They tend to skirt it by saying that it`s lessons, etc, and not actually childcare.

But there is the chance that she WAS licensed, which may have been WHY she was aggressive - as it would be her responsibility to make sure those working below her followed protocol, and if something went wrong she would be the one in trouble. With the "uncertified" (not unlicensed) child care facilities, there only has to be one licensed caretaker per so many caretakers. Usually 1 per 3 for children in the preschool range. 1 per 5 I think for elementary school level, and 1 per 2 for infants... If I am recalling correctly.

But any certified preschool or kindergarten REQUIRES their teachers/caretakers to have rigorous training with multiple certifications. If someone thinks it`s okay to put your kid into an English "school" that offers "daycare" on the side, and which is not registered or licensed (or they don`t even bother to check).... Then I truly feel sorry for the kids.