Daycare fees free for all children aged 0-2 (from Sept. 2025)

Suginami City residents who use licensed daycare (ninka hoikuen), certified centers for early childhood education and care (nintei kodomo-en), or community-based childcare pay no daycare fees, even in the 0- to 2-year-old classes. Previously, fees were free only for households exempt from resident tax and for the second and later children of taxed households. In September 2025 (Reiwa 7) this was expanded to the first child of taxed households, so it is now free for all households regardless of age or income bracket. Classes for ages 3 to 5 have always been free. Meal fees (staple food and side dishes) are also free and are not charged separately from daycare fees. However, extended-hours daycare fees and actual costs such as transportation, diapers, and photos are not covered.