Category Archives: day care

Farewell, Nursery. Hello, Kindergarten

Posted on April 5, 2017 by

After turning five in January, our youngest daughter finally made to the end of nursery school (“nen-cho,” 年長). Or so we thought. We had heard rumors in previous years that the system might change. It turns out that in this … Continue reading →

Posted in day care, education, Japan, Japanese, Japanese culture, Japanese society, nursery school, school | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Nursery Schools: Part II (Finally)

Posted on March 15, 2014 by

As I posted some time ago, we were fortunate that my oldest daughter was able to enter a city-approved nursery school. We were even more fortunate to have first choice on a new housing plot that wasn’t even technically on … Continue reading →

Posted in day care, festivals, Japan, parenting, school, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Year Two: Nursery School

Posted on September 24, 2011 by

Starting April 1st this year (the beginning of the school year in Japan), I went back to work and my daughter started her first year at a nearby private nursery school. Even prior to the official first day, we attended … Continue reading →

Posted in day care, Japan, parenting, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Endings and beginnings

Posted on March 31, 2011 by

I go back to work tomorrow on April 1st. My year-long paternity leave is over. No April Fools.

Posted in day care, gender roles, Japan, Paternity leave | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Hitting the Day Care Lottery Jackpot

Posted on January 25, 2011 by

My wife and I found out, by regular postal mail on January 17th, that our daughter was accepted into a local city-approved nursery school. She’ll start attending with a group of other 2-year-olds in April (the school year always begins … Continue reading →

Posted in day care, parenting, Paternity leave, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Shoe In

Posted on September 22, 2010 by

The biggest change in my daughter during our North American trip this past August was her first few steps. Predictably, they came after we got her first pair of sandals. Our hotel was smack in the middle of a large … Continue reading →

Posted in baby toys, day care, family outings, parenting, trips | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Toy Boy?

Posted on July 12, 2010 by

This past weekend, my wife and I stopped by at a nearby “home showcase.” Basically, the idea is that a number of construction companies build a model house in the same area, and then you can visit all the big … Continue reading →

Posted in baby toys, day care, family outings, roles | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments