Starting in October, free early childhood education will begin, and childcare fees for kindergartens, nursery schools, certified childcare centers, and similar facilities are expected to become free. (This is a nationwide program.)
(This article was reposted on May 6. Since the Nishinomiya City Hall page had been updated, we made some revisions.)
Here is a flowchart showing whether you are eligible for free childcare↓
※Captured from About Free Early Childhood Education and Childcare｜Nishinomiya City website (2019/8/27)
Q&A on Free Early Childhood Education (What is currently known) as of 8/9
Nishinomiya City Hall has put together a Q&A on free early childhood education. For details, it is best to check the linked page.
We have briefly summarized a few other things that are known.
Will all the money paid to kindergarten (nursery school, etc.) become free?
Teaching materials, events, and bus transportation fees will not be free.
Does that mean we do not have to pay childcare fees from October?
Yes, you do not have to pay. (Basically for ages 3 to 5)
For private kindergartens that have not transitioned to the new system, the city will pay the kindergarten up to 25,700 yen per month.
So if childcare fees and related costs do not exceed 25,700 yen, you will no longer have to pay those fees.
(As noted in the Q&A above, teaching materials, events, and bus transportation fees will not be free.)
For unlicensed childcare facilities, you will continue to pay as before, but the money will be reimbursed by the city later.
Do we need to complete procedures to receive free childcare?
It depends on the type of facility.
Nursery schools, community-based childcare services, certified childcare centers (used as nursery schools)
No procedure is required.
Certified childcare centers (used as kindergartens), private kindergartens under the new system, public kindergartens
No procedure is required.
Those whose fees for extended childcare and similar services are eligible to become free will need to complete procedures. (For children who have turned 3, only households exempt from resident tax are eligible.)
Private kindergartens that have not transitioned to the new system
Procedures are not required only for those who have submitted an application for the FY2019 Kindergarten Enrollment Incentive Subsidy.
Are there income limits for it to become free?
Childcare fees will be free with no income restrictions for children aged 3 (first year of kindergarten), 4 (second year), and 5 (third year).
However, unlicensed childcare facilities will have a maximum amount covered. (Up to 42,000 yen per month)
Will ages 0 to 2 not be eligible for free childcare?
Households exempt from resident tax will be eligible for free childcare.
Unlicensed childcare facilities will have a maximum amount covered. (Up to 37,000 yen per month)
As a guideline, households exempt from resident tax are those with an annual income of 2.05 million yen or less for a family of three, and 2.55 million yen or less for a family of four.
When and how should we complete the procedures?
Application documents can be downloaded from here.
Fill out the application form, attach the required documents such as a certificate of employment, and mail or bring them to the Nursery School Enrollment Section.
(Those attending certified childcare centers or private kindergartens may also receive the application form at the facility and submit it through the facility.)
What does “need for childcare” mean?
It refers to situations where guardians are working, ill, or otherwise unable to provide childcare at home.
It is expected to be about the same as the current conditions for applying for nursery school admission.
Reference↓
【Requirements for applying for nursery school admission】
Each guardian must fall under one of the following circumstances.
- Work or study (working or studying at least 3 days per week and at least 16 hours per week)
- Pregnancy or childbirth
- Illness, disability, etc.
- Care or nursing of a relative
- Disaster recovery
- Job search activities
Finally
For working moms, even expensive unlicensed childcare facilities will be free up to 37,000 yen. On an annual basis, that means saving as much as 444,000 yen for the household budget, which is a huge help.
