Free for children aged 6 months to 3 for up to 10 hours a month (from FY2026)
Infant Attendance Support Program (Childcare Access for All Children) / Sumida City
Infant Attendance Support Program (Childcare Access for All Children)Sumida City6 months to under 3
Children not in daycare can attend for 10 hours a month too
Up to 10 hours a monthFreeUnused hours cannot be carried over to the next month
- Can be used regardless of whether parents work
Even children who do not attend daycare can spend up to 10 hours a month at a facility. It started in April 2026. Whether parents work does not matter; you can use it during childcare leave or while raising your child at home. Eligible children are from 6 months old to under 3, precisely until 2 days before their 3rd birthday. Sumida City makes the user cost free, so within 10 hours a month there is no cost. The 10-hour monthly limit cannot be carried over. Even if you have unused hours from the previous month, you cannot add them to the next month. Depending on the facility, you may pay extra such as extension fees.
Nationality and residence status
The official page (checked in October 2026) sets no condition on nationality or residence status that we found. Eligibility follows the official conditions, not the language of this page; many programs require resident registration in the municipality.
Who is eligible
From 6 months old to under 3 (until 2 days before the 3rd birthday)
Notes
The official program name is "Infant Attendance Support Program," commonly called "Childcare Access for All Children." The city's page title is "FY2026 Infant Attendance Support Program."Started April 2026. The limit is 10 hours a month; free in Sumida City.Unused hours cannot be carried over to the next month. Depending on the facility, you may pay extra such as extension fees.FY2026 budget: "Infant Attendance Support Program (Childcare Access for All Children) [new] ¥43.296 million."