life in Japanese Hoikuen
A day at a Japanese hoikuen
Since I started my part-time job, our mornings have changed completely.
Every weekday, my husband and I take Hithesh to hoikuen 保育園 around 7:30 a.m. The hardest part of the day is saying goodbye. Read this more about how we got selected to Japanese licensed daycare.
The moment we hand Hithesh over to his teacher, he starts crying everyday. He stretches out his little hands, looking at us, hoping we’ll come back. Even after we leave, we hear his crying until we’re out of sight. It breaks my heart every single time. I know many parents understand this feeling. I want to stay and hug him little longer, and tell them you’ll be back soon. But at the same time, you know they’re in a safe place, learning and growing. I keep that faith everytime when I feel sorrow.
Still, throughout the day, I can’t help wondering what he’s doing. Is he smiling now? Did he stop crying quickly? Is he making friends? Is he eating well?
I am struggling with these feelings until it’s time to pick him up.
The first thing I do after bringing him home is opening his renraku techo,連絡手帳 the communication notebook from the hoikuen.
It is very short note, but I am waiting for it.
As first-time parents sending our baby boy to daycare in a foreign country, that little notebook means so much to us. The window into his day. The note from his teachers help us picture moments we couldn’t witness ourselves. I think many parents raising children abroad will understand this curiosity. When family is far away and everything is new, these little updates become incredibly meaningful.
Here is what they do this is what I gathered according to the information I came up.
Usually, the children begin the morning with indoor play. They enjoy picture books, wooden toys, blocks, puzzles, pretend kitchens, music, or simple activities these things help develop their motor skills and imagination. Teachers encourage them to play together, learn to share, and become more independent little by little.
Before heading outside, the children are given mugicha 麦茶 (barley tea) or fresh milk to drink. During Japan’s extremely hot summers, staying hydrated is very important, so the teachers make sure everyone drinks before outdoor play.
Then comes one of Hithesh’s favorite parts of summer—mizu asobi （水遊び） or water play.
The children splash in shallow water, play with cups and watering cans, run through gentle sprinklers, and cool off under water showers while laughing together. It’s not just fun; it’s also a safe way to enjoy the summer heat while staying cool.
After washing up and changing into clean clothes, it’s time for lunch. One thing I really appreciate about Japanese hoikuen is that meals are carefully planned to provide balanced nutrition. The children eat together, practice using spoons and cups, and gradually learn good table manners by watching one another.
Around noon, the classroom becomes quiet as everyone settles down for their afternoon nap. Soft music or a calm atmosphere helps them drift off to sleep, usually until around 3 p.m. After all the morning’s excitement, they definitely deserve the rest.
When they wake up, they have oyatsu,おやつ the afternoon snack. Sometimes it’s fruit, yogurt, rice crackers 煎餅, onigiri おにぎり, or another healthy snack prepared by the daycare. After snack time, they often enjoy another short play session indoors, sing songs, dance, listen to stories, or do simple seasonal activities before parents begin arriving for pick-up.
And mor they had a demonstration in special days as an example in thanabatha 七夕祭り they had a special demonstarations, all the details had been updated in renraku app which was especially designated and created for special school notices and events.
This is what Hithesh’s day looks like.
I’ve never actually seen these moments with my own eyes. Instead, I piece them together through the teachers’ notes, little comments, and my imagination. Somehow, that tiny communication notebook helps me feel connected to his day even while I’m at work.
Every afternoon, when I see his smile at pick-up, I realize he’s slowly becoming more confident. The tears at drop-off are still there, and they still hurt my heart, but little by little, we’re both learning that it’s okay.
Sometimes growing isn’t just for our children.
It’s for us parents too.
