Hatonoko Hoikuen

Hatonoko Nursery School is a provider of small, licensed childcare in Shizuoka City, Japan, with three locations: Tokiwa, Mizuho and Johoku. Each nursery welcomes children from six months through age two and has capacity for 18 children, allowing staff to provide attentive, individualized care. Standard care hours are 7:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., with shorter hours available; Tokiwa also lists extended care until 7 p.m.

The nurseries build their approach on warm, caring relationships and play-based early education. Activities are designed to encourage curiosity, exploration and foundational abilities through everyday experiences, creative projects, seasonal events, outdoor and nature-based play, and visits or activities with outside instructors and local community members. Parents also describe varied daily care, meals and snacks, and an app-based communication notebook that shares photos and updates about their children.

Hatonoko aims to support working families while helping young children grow emotionally and develop through meaningful experiences. The website provides information about each nursery, its daily routines, access, and recruitment.