Children aged 6 months to 2 years who do not attend daycare can attend for up to 20 hours a month free of charge
- Up to 10 hours a month at facilities outside the city (refunded later)
Even children who do not attend daycare can regularly use a daycare center or similar by the hour. This system started in Chuo City in April 2026, and it does not matter whether the parents work.
It covers children from 6 months of age to the equivalent of the 2-year-old class (until the last day of the fiscal year in which they turn 3). The condition is that the child does not attend licensed daycare, a certified center for early childhood education and care, a community-based childcare program, a company-led childcare facility or similar. The allowance is 20 hours a month, up to 8 hours a day.
When city residents use facilities in the city, the fee is free as a rule. When using facilities outside the city, it is up to 10 hours a month, and you pay the facility first and then claim a refund from the city. Some facilities may charge actual costs or cancellation fees, and if you use an unlicensed childcare facility (including Tokyo-certified daycare) 5 days a week for 8 hours or more a day, fees apply.
Facilities in the city (5 as of September 2026) have only 1- and 2-year-old classes and do not accept the 0-year-old class (facilities outside the city may accept them). From the month after the child turns 3, only facilities in the city can be used, up to 10 hours a month. Certification by the city is required to use it, and as a rule applications are online only.