I have used a daycare since my daughter was 7 months old to get back to work. At that time, we lived in Tokyo and we moved to Chiba prefecture (pretty close to Tokyo) when she was one y/o and changed her daycare center twice. So my daughter and I experienced 3 daycares in Tokyo area (I use the word “Tokyo area” as “Metropolitan area” which is Tokyo, Kanagawa, Chiba and Saitama here.). They have different features, rules and customs.
Some have designated uniforms
Some daycares have designated uniforms and require you to purchase them before entering the daycare. I bought a couple of designated gym wears, smocks, inside shoes and a hat for my daughter when she entered her third daycare. I think people, even kids like 2 years old should have rights to wear what they want so I personally do not support the idea of having kids wear designated clothes especially when they are very young and little. However, it seems there are some good points:
•Not easy to recognize people’s economical situation
•No need to think about what to wear
•Easy to manage for childcare givers
Nutritious lunch is provided
Normally lunch using menus made by nutritionists is provided in daycares. It really helps kids to take necessary nutrition at a meal. Some private daycares use selected / organic ingredients for one of their strengths and differentiation.
Transportation is a “mum-bike”
Many parents whose kids are under 5 ride a bike that can carry kids around Tokyo area like below:
(I will insert a photo of my mum-bike later on.)
This is often an electric bike and it is one of the essential item for parents living in Tokyo area I would say! It is way cheaper than owning a car and so easy to pedal in steepy roads!
Some require to take dirty nappies back home
This was one of my worst experience in my daughter’s second daycare. Some daycares require to take “used” “smelly” nappies back home for disposal. It is truly the worst in summer…
I would be willing to pay for used nappy disposal in daycares. Thank God it was only short time and they take care of it in her third one.
Ending
Although there are good things and bad things in daycares in Japan, as a working mum, I really appreciate daycare staff.
