Childbirth, child-raising and education

Useful links

Childbirth, Child-Raising and Education / Shinjuku city
http://www.city.shinjuku.lg.jp/foreign/english/guide/ikuji/ikuji_1.html

Education / Tokyo Metropolitan Government
http://www.tokyo-icc.jp/guide_eng/educ/01.html

On campus child-care center

"Poppins Nursery" (accredited by Tokyo metropolitan government)
Please contact "Poppins Nursery" for details and availability.
"Poppins Nursery": waseda@poppins.co.jp

The Japanese school system

The school year begins in April and ends in March. There are vacations in the summer, winter and spring. There are national, prefectural, municipal, and private education institutes at all levels. As for nurseries, any child from age zero up who meets certain conditions (mostly concerning the parents) can enroll.

Kindergarten: any child who is at least three years old on April 1 can enroll.
Elementary school (age 6-12): all children who are 6 years old as of April 2 must enroll.
Junior high school (age 12-15): compulsory.
Senior high school (age 15-18): not compulsory. Enrollment follows competitive entrance examinations.
Junior college (2 years): admission by entrance examination.
University (4 years): admission by entrance examination. Medical, dental, and veterinary courses take longer.
Graduate school: normally 2 years for a master's degree, and 3 or more years after a master's for a doctor's degree.