Tokyo YMCA International Kids Garden

Location

• Tokyo YMCA International Kids Garden: 2-2-20 Toyo, Koto City, Tokyo

Ages

Ages 2–5. For FY2026, KG2 (age 2 class) is for children born April 2, 2024–April 1, 2025, KG3 for those born from April 2, 2023, KG4 from April 2, 2022, and KG5 from April 2, 2021. Each class has a capacity of 24.

Curriculum

An English preschool for ages 2–5 run by the Tokyo YMCA. Based on the idea that English is not something to study but something picked up in daily life, children from many countries, including Japan, other parts of Asia, Europe and North America, spend the day together. Morning circle songs and dances, Learning Time centered on phonics, and art and science activities develop listening, speaking, reading and writing in balance. There is also PE on a large court. Besides events such as Easter, International Day, Halloween and Christmas, there are events to experience Japanese culture, such as riding a traditional Japanese boat and mochi-pounding. To enter, you submit an application after an information session, and there is a group observation and interview. Children can join mid-year if there are openings. The age 2 class (KG2) is 9:40–14:40, choosing twice a week (Tuesday, Thursday), 3 times a week (Monday, Wednesday, Friday) or 5 times a week; the ages 3–5 classes (KG3–KG5) are 5 days a week. There is early care (8:00–9:45) and after-school care (14:45–18:45).

Annual tuition

The school year and whether tax is included are not stated. KG2 fees include the program fee and snacks. In addition to tuition, KG2 pays a facility maintenance fee of ¥82,500 and KG3–KG5 a program fee of ¥49,500 every year. KG3–KG5 buy school supplies separately at entry. It is an unlicensed childcare facility covered by "free early childhood education and care", and it says that if conditions are met, subsidies of up to ¥37,000/month (ages 3–5), or up to ¥42,000/month for age 2 in households exempt from resident tax, are available. Early care is ¥5,000 for a 10-use ticket, and after-school care is ¥25,000 for a 10-use ticket.

Fees at entry

KG2 has a registration fee of ¥10,000, and KG3–KG5 an enrollment fee of ¥110,000.

School bus

There is an optional school bus; monthly fees are ¥20,000 one way and ¥36,000 round trip. It says it plans to change to a satellite service passing through major stations.

Lunch

There is an optional lunch service at ¥750 per meal (tax included).