Here are some questions from our customers:

Q: What is a Preschool?

A: In Japan, the term “Preschool” refers to childcare facilities that operate in a similar way to regular kindergartens and nurseries. In Europe and the United States, there are more specific distinctions like Nursery School, Preschool, and Kindergarten, but in Japan, English education facilities are generally referred to as “Preschools.”

Q: What is the educational philosophy?

A: Our aim is to provide a loving and secure environment for all children, regardless of nationality or religion, where they can freely engage in indoor and outdoor activities, artistic endeavors, and develop their Japanese identity while fostering emotional stability, imagination (creativity), independence, and social skills. We strive to cultivate the foundation of “living skills” based on these qualities.

Q: Is it possible to visit the school for observation?

A: You can visit our school anytime by making a reservation.

Q: How can I enroll my child in the school?

A: First, please apply for a school visit or a free trial session. After participating in the trial and having an individual consultation, our staff will provide detailed and clear explanations. If you are satisfied, we will proceed with the enrollment process.

Q: Can I know how my child is doing in the class?

A: We provide daily reports created by our English teachers to parents about the class activities. Additionally, our Japanese caregivers also utilize a communication notebook (app) to communicate individual updates about each child.

Q: Will my child be able to speak English if they attend the preschool?

A: As all classes at the school are conducted in English from the time of drop-off to pick-up, children naturally become fluent in English. They also develop listening and writing skills. The child’s English proficiency depends on the quality and quantity of exposure to English in their daily lives, both at FunShine and with the parents. We recommend enrolling in a course that meets at least three times a week for the best results. We do our best to support your child during their time at the school. At FunShine, we value not only English language skills but also the foundation of a child’s identity as a Japanese in the international community. We look forward to cooperating with parents and watching the overall growth of the child.

Q: How long will it take for my child to be able to speak English?

A: This varies from person to person. Generally, children who attend more frequently, such as coming to school every day, tend to progress faster. Increasing the number of days and hours attending the school can enhance the effectiveness of English learning.v

Q: Will my child get confused with multiple languages at school and home?

A: Young children have a high capacity to absorb new information and are said to have much higher language acquisition ability than adults. They naturally switch between languages according to the situation, place, and person. This is the first step toward bilingualism.

Q: Do you provide school lunches?

A: We offer nutritionally balanced, delicious, and homemade lunch boxes through a delivery service.

Q: How do you handle sickness?

A: 1. If a child has a fever higher than the normal body temperature, or any other serious health condition, we will contact the parents. 2. While waiting for the parents to pick up the child, we provide them a restful environment.

Q: Can you administer medicine to my child?

A: Generally, we do not keep medicine at the school, but we can handle prescribed medication in unavoidable situations. Please submit a “Medication Request Form” with the necessary precautions when your child is entrusted to our care.

Q: Can my child join the school in the middle of the school year?

A: If there are vacancies, we accept enrollments at any time during the school year. However, please note that the child will be entering the middle of the annual program.

Q: Do you have outdoor playtime?

A: We have a rooftop area where we conduct outdoor activities. Additionally, we go on walks to nearby parks for outdoor play and physical activity. Unless it’s raining, we prefer outdoor activities whenever possible. The location for outdoor play is decided based on the weather and the children’s condition. We follow traffic rules and take walks to the park, where older children hold hands with younger children and walk together within the white lines. Since the park is a public place, there are various rules to follow, such as not leaving the park, and children are taught to use the equipment properly. By obeying traffic rules and social rules, they develop sensitivity. Sometimes, grandparents may say hello when they pass by, and at that time, the children greet them in Japanese with a “Hello.” We believe that children can learn various things in a way that is only possible without a playground.

Q: Does attending an international school disadvantage my child in elementary school admissions?

A: Graduating from a general kindergarten, nursery, or an international preschool does not make a significant difference in the level of difficulty. In fact, children who have been exposed to English from a young age may have an advantage in interviews and other assessments. Admission to private elementary schools is based on four factors: intellectual abilities, emotional abilities, social development, and physical abilities. Most of these factors are regular aspects of daily life and are not particularly challenging if the child has proper knowledge and upbringing. The part considered difficult for elementary school admission exams is usually related to intellectual abilities (paper-based tests). For example, there is a question in Japanese that tests “memory of a story,” where the child must answer without using written records but only based on their memory. In mathematics, they must understand addition and subtraction taught in the first grade, multiplication taught in the second grade, division taught in the third grade, and fractions taught in the fourth grade, all without using numbers. Teaching these things from scratch to toddlers, where the mother knows nothing about them, is difficult. The learning in toddler classes is merely the basics, and expanding on this learning to improve academic performance is achieved through home learning. Of course, attending a preschool will be a significant advantage. This includes gaining knowledge about the tendencies of the school exams and acquiring the correct knowledge of the exam (child-rearing) in preparation for the exams. It is considered difficult for self-study. Attending an international school does not necessarily make the admission process more challenging. Many private elementary schools also emphasize English, so attending an international school should not be a concern. At FunShine Academy, we incorporate intellectual education in preparation for elementary school admissions from an early age.