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- Differences between nursery schools and kindergartens
Both nursery schools and kindergartens are for children before they attend elementary school. However there are a number of differences between the two. Please refer to [table 1] below.
【table 1】differences between nursery schools and kindergartens Q&A table
（for more information on Q1-Q6 please refer to the Frequently Asked Questions section of this packet）
| Nursery School | Kindergarten | |
| Which parents are eligible to apply for admission? | For parents that both work (husband and wife) | For only one parent that works, while the other stays at home |
| What kind of children can enter the schools? | For children that have no caretakers during the day (please refer to Ｑ１ and、Ｑ２ in the FAQ section) | For children before they start attending elementary school
|
| From how old? | From 2 months of age | From 3 years of age |
| How long is the school day? | From 8:30 AM to about 5 PM | From 10 AM to 2 PM |
| On what days are no classes held? | On Sundays, national holidays and the year-end and new year holidays | Saturdays, Sundays, national holidays, summer break and winter break |
| Where is paperwork for admission submitted? | At your designated local government office | At the kindergarten you want your child to attend |
| What are the required documents? | Application for admission, tax declaration certificate, certificate of employment | Application for admission |
| Application acceptance period | From September to around November (refer to Ｑ３ in the FAQ section) | Around October
|
| Tuition | The tuition you pay is determined by your family’s income tax rate, and any municipal taxes. The amount paid will range between 0 to 40,000 yen monthly (refer to Ｑ４ in the FAQ section) | Tuition is determined by each individual kindergarten. The price usually starts from 20,000 yen and goes up from there. (refer to Ｑ５ in the FAQ section) |
| What about school lunch? | Nursery schools provide lunch. However, only side dishes are provided free of charge. You must pay for rice, or you may need to bring rice from home (refer to Ｑ６ in the FAQ section) | It depends on the school. Some schools provide school lunch (for a fee) or you will be required to bring lunch from home. Some schools may provide lunch only once a week, while other days, you must bring your own lunch. Some schools may require lunch brought from home daily
|
| What are the additional expenses that must be paid in nursery school? | Additional expenses that must be paid upon admission into nursery school: ・School uniform, school hats, PE uniform (Cost for all three is around 10,000 yen up) Monthly expenses: ・Fee for rice- around 700 yen ・Fee for study materials – Usually from 700 yen up ・Parent association fee- Usually from 500 yen up |
Additional expenses that must be paid upon admission into kindergarten: ・Fee for admission- About 20,000 yen up ・Fee for using school facilities- about 10,000 yen up ・School uniform, school hats, PE uniform- about 10,000 yen up Monthly expenses ・Fee for school lunch- usually from 3,000 yen up ・Fee for study materials- usually around 1,000 yen ・Parent association fee- Usually from 1,000 yen up ・School bus fee (only if you use)- around 3,000 yen ＊Fees can vary considerably from school to school |
