Q&A
ご入学前にいただく、よくあるご質問をまとめました
Q1:Is Smile Kids International eligible for Japan’s childcare subsidy program?
Yes. Smile Kids International is a certified non-registered childcare facility that meets the standards set by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare in Japan.
Children in our Kinder Class program (ages 3 to 5) may qualify for childcare fee subsidies of up to ¥37,000 per month after receiving “Certification of Need for Childcare” from their local municipality.
*Eligibility requirements vary depending on employment and family circumstances. Please contact your local city office for details.
Nursery Class families may also be eligible for childcare support programs provided by Kashiwa City.
*Please contact Kashiwa City Hall for further information regarding local subsidy systems.
Q2:Do you have a curriculum?
Yes. Smile Kids follows an original curriculum and weekly schedule carefully designed for each age group and developmental stage.
Our monthly themes incorporate English, STEAM activities, crafts, music, outdoor play, and hands-on learning experiences in a balanced way.
We value creating an environment where children naturally connect learning with joy and curiosity.
Monthly activities and themes are shared with families through our monthly calendar.
Q3:Can children enroll during the middle of the school year?
Yes. Enrollment during the school year is possible if there is space available in the class.
Before enrollment, we arrange a meeting with both the child and parents to help ensure a smooth and comfortable transition into school life.
Please note that higher Kinder levels require stronger English communication skills, so placement may depend on your child’s language level and overall readiness.
Q4:Do you provide a school bus service?
No, we do not provide a school bus service.
Our school is conveniently located about a 3 minute walk from Kita Kashiwa Station, making it easily accessible by public transportation.
We also have a designated parking area available for drop-off and pick-up.
Q5:How can parents stay informed about daily school life?
At Smile Kids, we believe in maintaining open and transparent communication with families.
Through our password-protected members’ blog, parents receive weekly photos and videos showing classroom activities, learning experiences, and daily life at school.
We also share children’s growth and progress through password-protected web cameras, ICT communication tools, parent meetings, and daily conversations during pick-up and drop-off times.
We value building a trusting partnership where families and teachers support children together.
Q6:Do children have outdoor play time?
Yes. Unless weather conditions are unsafe, children regularly visit the park located just behind the school.
When time allows, we also visit larger parks in the surrounding area.
We believe outdoor play is an essential part of early childhood education. Through active play and interaction with children of different ages, children naturally develop physical strength, cooperation, social skills, and communication abilities.
For young children, the opportunity to move freely, explore, and play outdoors is an important part of healthy development.
Q7:Are there parent committees or mandatory volunteer activities?
No. We do not require parent committees or volunteer responsibilities.
The school manages communication and coordination directly through ICT tools and email systems to help reduce the burden on families.
Graduation albums are also carefully created by our staff using photos collected throughout the year.
Q8:Do children speak only English at school?
During lessons and structured activities, we maintain an English speaking environment.
We believe it is most important for children to feel emotionally safe and confident expressing themselves. In early childhood, developing the desire to communicate is far more important than avoiding mistakes.
During free play and natural social interactions, children may occasionally use their native language. We see this as a natural part of building comfort, trust, and relationships.
As children develop secure relationships with teachers and classmates, they gradually begin using English more naturally and confidently on their own.
At Smile Kids, we value creating an environment where children genuinely want to communicate in English, rather than forcing English-only communication.
Q9:What kinds of events do you have?
We offer a wide variety of seasonal and educational events throughout the year, including Halloween, Christmas, performances, P.E. Fun Day, sweet potato harvesting, graduation trips, and pajama parties.
We also hold entrance ceremonies, graduation ceremonies, seasonal celebrations, and extracurricular activities designed to inspire children’s curiosity, excitement, and joy of learning.
Q10:My child is 2 years old, still in diapers, and has difficulty separating from parents. Is that okay?
Absolutely.
Many children in our Nursery Class are still using diapers when they begin school.
We work closely with families to support toilet training at a comfortable pace for each child.
We also provide a gradual adjustment period based on each child’s emotional readiness to help them transition smoothly into school life.
Q11:Can anyone access the school web cameras?
No. For privacy and security reasons, access is limited to parents with password authorization only.
Parents can view only their registered class, course day, and designated curriculum times.
Q12:Can we observe a class or have a trial lesson?
Yes. Please contact us in advance to schedule a school tour.
Depending on your child’s comfort level, Kinder Class children may also be able to participate in a short trial lesson of approximately 15 minutes.
After the visit, we will explain our programs, curriculum, and educational philosophy in detail.
Q13:Do you offer sibling discounts?
Yes. Families with multiple children enrolled at Smile Kids receive a 10% discount on tuition fees for the second child and additional siblings.
This discount may also apply when combining eligible courses.
Additionally, the enrollment fee is reduced by 50% for siblings.
Q14:Do children receive homework?
Yes. Kinder Class students receive writing worksheets and original Smile Kids homework activities.
We also provide audio materials so families can enjoy practicing English naturally at home together.
Q15:What kind of teachers do you have?
Our teaching staff consists of native or near-native English speakers with experience in early childhood education and English teaching.
We value a “Kids First” approach and believe in respecting and supporting each child as an individual.
Our team also includes teachers with specialized knowledge in various educational fields and activities.
Q16:Do we need to purchase a full school uniform?
The only required uniform items are the official Smile Kids polo shirt and school cap.
Q17:Can missed classes be made up?
Make-up lessons are available only for Nursery Class students during their enrollment period.
Q18:Is it possible to take a leave of absence from school?
Yes. Leave requests may be approved in cases such as illness, injury, or unavoidable family circumstances.
To keep your child’s enrollment space reserved, a leave fee equal to half of the monthly tuition will apply.
Q19:Do parents need to speak English?
No. Our bilingual staff are available to support families in both Japanese and English.
Many of our families come from diverse international backgrounds, creating a naturally multicultural community.
We hope parents can also enjoy experiencing English and international communication together with their children.
Q20:What schools do children attend after graduating from Smile Kids?
The paths our graduates take vary each year, but many families choose private elementary schools.
Others continue on to public schools or international schools depending on each family’s goals and educational preferences.
Q21:Can children continue learning English after graduating?
Yes. After graduation, children can continue studying English through our Saturday Class and Private Lesson programs.
We value helping children maintain their love of English while supporting their continued growth and confidence over the long term.
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