ChaCha Children & Co. is a Japanese social welfare organization that operates 16 nursery schools across Saitama, Tokyo, Kanagawa, Chiba, and Gunma. Founded in 1979 in Iruma, the organization has built its approach around respecting every child as an individual and supporting their development through thoughtful childcare and education. Its vision, “Education is Empathy,” centers on helping children learn to understand and care about others, while its mission is to nurture the future through relationships that look beyond the present.

At its schools, ChaCha Children encourages curiosity and independence through engagement with local communities, nature, and the changing seasons. Educators observe and document children’s everyday experiences and expressions, sharing these records with children, families, and staff to inform further learning and care. The organization also incorporates sustainability goals into daily practice. To encourage community connections, it has established ChaCha Cafe spaces where children and adults can relax and meet. ChaCha Children & Co. also offers recruitment opportunities, workplace training, and leave programs for childcare staff, and promotes initiatives intended to support the profession.