Pregnancy

• ・When you become pregnant, and your pregnancy is confirmed by a doctor, report it to Child-rearing Support Office of your local Ward Office or Ward Branch Office, and receive a Maternal and Child Health Handbook.
• ・During pregnancy, you can get maternity health checks (Ninpu Kenshin) at a clinic or a hospital that has an obstetrics department.
• ・When you receive your Maternal and Child Health Handbook, you will also obtain Jyushin-ken Checkup coupons for maternity health check-ups that will help with the cost of health check fees.
• ・A public health nurse will give you a health consultation when you receive your Maternal and Child Health Handbook at the Public Health & Welfare Center, Child-rearing Support Office at your local Ward Office or Ward Branch Office. For those who are pregnant for the first time, a public health nurse or other personnel will visit your house to give you advice and answer your questions.

The Maternal and Child Health Handbook

This handbook is very important to protect the health of mothers and children. If you get pregnant, make sure that you visit the Public Health & Welfare Center, Child-rearing Support Office of your local Ward Office or Ward Branch Office to receive the Maternal and Child Health Handbook. English, Chinese and Korean versions of the handbook are also available. You can keep a record of your own health as well as your baby’s health in this handbook. You can also keep the record of vaccinations in the handbook. Please be sure to take it with you whenever you visit a hospital or the Public Health and Welfare Center, Child-rearing Support Office for consultation.

Checking out your Ward Office or Ward Branch Office

What to do after your baby is born?

• ① Obtain a Birth certificate from the hospital
• ② Report the child’s birth by taking the birth certificate with you to the Ward Office or Ward Branch Office and filing the Birth Registration Form within 14 days after the birth.
  ＊If one or both parents are foreign nationals, it is also necessary to also report the birth of their child to their embassy or consulate.
• ③ If either of you has a status of Special Permanent Resident, you can apply for the status for your child at the Ward Office or at the Ward Branch Office.
• ④ If both of you are mid and long term residents, please visit the Immigration Services Agency of Japan to apply for the child’s status of residence, taking either the child’s Birth Registration Receipt or Certificate of Residence with you. (If your baby is supposed to stay in Japan for 60 days or longer, you must finish the application procedure within 30 days after birth.)

• ・You also need to obtain a passport for your baby at your embassy or the consulate. In addition, please enroll your baby in your health insurance system as a dependent.
• ・Take your child to regular medical check-ups.
• ・Public Health & Welfare Center, Child-rearing Support Office at your local Ward Office or Ward Branch Office offers free health checks for infants.

A Pension Premiums Exemption Program for Mothers during Antepartum and Postpartum Period

We have a program for mothers to exempt them from paying pension premiums during the antepartum/postpartum period. If you are an employee, please contact your company for details.

Lump-sum Allowance for Childbirth

A person enrolled in medical insurance will receive a lump-sum allowance for childbirth after giving birth to a child. Pregnant mothers become eligible after 84 days passed since becoming pregnant, even if the mother later has a miscarriage or stillbirth. In the National Health Insurance System, \500,000 will be given to those who are eligible for the Maternity Medical Compensation Program on delivery, and \488,000 will be given to those who are not eligible.

Interpretation Dispatch Service for Maternal and Child Health

For international residents who have health check appointments for their infants and young children with public health nurses and have difficulty in communicating with them in Japanese, administrative interpretation service is available. Please consult the Public Health & Welfare Center, Child-rearing Support Office at your local Ward Office or Ward Branch Office for more information.

「Child-rearing Handbook in Kyoto」

We compiled useful information for mothers and fathers who are giving birth and raising children in Kyoto.

Child-rearing Handbook in Kyoto（PDF）

Checking out your Ward Office or Ward Branch Office

Children’s Medical Expense Subsidy Program

With this program, you only pay \200 a month per medical institution for a child between 0 years old and the 3rd year of junior high school to stay in a hospital for receiving treatment. For a child between 0-2 years old, you only need to pay \200 a month per medical institution when you visit the medical institution to receive treatment. For children between 3 years old and the 3rd year of junior high school, you only need to pay up to \3,000 a month per medical institution. If the total medical expense exceeds \1,500 in a month, you can apply for reimbursement for the amount exceeding \1,500.
＊Please note that the amount of maximum medical expense is set as \3,000 by the end of August, 2019.

Child Allowance (Jidou-teate)

For those who are raising children of the 3rd year at junior high school and under are qualified for receiving monetary support (Child Allowance).
＊For further information, visit;

Child and Family Support Section　TEL：075-251-1123
Public Health and Welfare Center Childrearing Support Office at your Ward Office and Ward Branch Office

Single Parent Household Support Programs

• ・Single Parent Household Support Programs (Boshi Fushi Kafu Fukushi Shikin)
• ・Training opportunities including computer classes to acquire necessary skills for work are available with small fees.
• ・Priority in renting at a public housing
• ・Medical Expense Subsidy for Single-Parent Household (Hitori-oya Katei tou Iryohi Shikyu Seido)
• ・Child Care Allowance

There are also some other support programs for single parents.

Counseling on raising children

Child Welfare Center　(open Mon. - Fri., 8:00 - 17:00)　TEL：075-801-2929
Child-rearing Support Office of Public Health & Welfare Center at Ward Offices and Ward Branch Offices

Childcare Centers (hoikusho)

Childcare centers accept children until they enter an elementary school. The childcare fee is determined depending on the family’s income. If the child becomes over 3 years old as of 1 April, the fee will be free of charge.

Eligibility for Using the Facility

If the child’s parents or guardians are working, studying at school, having illness and cannot take care of their child, they can use the childcare center for the child once their status is confirmed.

How to Apply

Please visit the Public Health & Welfare Center at your local Ward Office or Ward Branch Office for application and submit documents proving your eligibility such as working certificate, student ID, etc. If you were not a resident of Kyoto City as of January 1, 2018, you need to bring your tax payment certificate with you.

Family Support Project

The project is a mutual childcare support project among members who wish to receive child-rearing support and who wish to offer child-rearing support.

Family Support Center　(open Mon. - Sat., 10:00 - 17:00)　TEL：075-682-6283

Baba Service Pinocchio

A tentative childcare service available when needed and only for necessary hours.

• Child’s Age: 6 months up to 9 years old (the 3rd year at an elementary school)
• Fee: \983 per hour (transportation fee from/to your house may also be required)
• Service Hours: 7:00 – 21:00 (If you need to use the service before/after the hours, please consult with the center.

Baba Service Pinocchio　(8:30 - 17:00)　TEL：075-432-3575

Children’s Centers (Jido-kan)

Children up to 18 years old together with their parents or guardians can use the facility for free to play games and sports. Open from 10:00 to 18:30 (Closed on Sun., National holidays, the Year-end and New Year Holidays)

Gakudo-Club

This service aims to take care of the 1st year up to the 6th year elementary school students whose parents are not at home during the daytime. The service is provided at Jido-kan and Gakudo child-care centers. Children can come and stay at the club after school. In order to use this service, one must apply in advance. Fee required.

Child Development Promotion Section (Ikusei Suishin-ka)　TEL：075-746-7610

Childcare Station “Hotto Chat” for mothers and fathers

Anyone raising children in Kyoto can participate regardless of nationalities. You can bring your children (aged 0-5 years) with you.

Date & Time	14:00 - 15:30 on every 1st Sat. of a month
Location	kokoka Kyoto International Community House

“Hotto Chat”

koko kids

The group is for exchanges between mothers and fathers of children (aged 6-15 years) with international backgrounds.

Date & Time	15:30 - 17:00 on every 1st Sat. of a month
Location	Volunteer's Room, kokoka Kyoto International Community House 3F

“koko kids”

Meeting Space Pichiku Pachiku

The space is open mainly for children (aged 0-3) and the parents/guardians to meet for exchanges in Ohara, Sakyo Ward.

“Pichiku Pachiku”　TEL：075-201-6387

JAFORE

The organization provides support in child-rearing and daily living for international families who have come to Kyoto from abroad.

“JAFORE”　TEL：090-2148-0891

Kyoto City Childrearing Support Center “Kodomo Mirai-kan”

The center has Kodomo Genki Land for children who have not entered elementary school and their parents and guardians to use large-size playground equipment, and Kosodate Tosho-kan, a library for them to enjoy reading picture books. 　　

Opening Hours	Kodomo Genki Land	9:00 - 18:00 on Mon. - Sat.／9:00-17:00 on Sun. & Holidays
	Children’s Library (Kosodate Toshokan)	9:30-20:30 on Weekdays／9:30-17:00 on Weekends & Holidays
Closed	Tuesday (if a National Holiday falls on a Tuesday, the facility will be closed on the next weekday) & the New Year Holidays (Dec.28-Jan.4)

“Kodomo Mirai-kan”　TEL：075-254-5001

Kyoto University of the Art, Art＆Culture Information Center, PICCOLI

The library for children that anyone can use. It has a collection of picture books, materials related to children’s literature and culture, and books in English. Reading events and craft activities are held and children can play with the toys at the center. Free of charge. 　　

Opening Hours	10:30-18:00 on Thurs. and Fri.
	12:30-18:00 on Sat. and Sun.
Closed	Mon. – Wed. and when university events are held.

“PICCOLI”　TEL：075-791-8013

Libraries

Libraries in Kyoto City hold events such as reading for children. Please check with your local library for details.

Libraries

Japanese Education System

In Japan, the education system is basically comprised of an education at an elementary school for 6 years, at a junior high school for 3 years, a senior high school for 3 years, and either at a junior college for 2 years or a university for 4 years. Education at an elementary and junior-high school is compulsory. In principle, one must pass an entrance examination to enter senior high school and university. In addition, there are specialized training colleges and vocational schools available mainly for junior and senior high school graduates. There are national schools managed by the state; public schools managed by prefectures, cities, wards, towns and villages; and private schools managed by school foundations. The school year starts in April and ends in March the following year.

Kindergartens

Children between the ages of 3 to 6 are eligible for kindergartens.

City Kindergartens

In Japan, the education system is basically comprised of an education at an elementary school for 6 years, at a junior high school for 3 years, a senior high school for 3 years, and either at a junior college for 2 years or a university for 4 years. Education at an elementary and junior-high school is compulsory. In principle, one must pass an entrance examination to enter senior high school and university. In addition, there are specialized training colleges and vocational schools available mainly for junior and senior high school graduates. There are national schools managed by the state; public schools managed by prefectures, cities, wards, towns and villages; and private schools managed by school foundations. The school year starts in April and ends in March the following year.

School Guidance Section, Secretariat to the Board of Education　TEL：075-222-3806

Private Kindergartens

Kyoto City Private Kindergartens Association (Kyoto-shi Shiritsu Youchien Kyokai)　TEL：075-257-0375
Kyoto Prefectural Private Kindergartens Federation (Kyoto-fu Shiritsu Yochien Renmei)　TEL：075-344-0771

All private kindergartens in Kyoto　＊Japanese

Elementary Schools & Junior High Schools

If a non-Japanese resident child wish to attend at Japanese elementary school and a junior high school?

Anyone who register the residence in Japan and who are at the equivalent age of Japanese elementary school and junior high school can attend the school after completing procedures.

Procedures for enrolling children of international residents into a Japanese elementary school and a junior high school.

• ①When you register your address with your local Ward Office or Ward Branch Office, please mention that you would like to enroll your child in a Japanese elementary school or a junior high school and receive a School Transfer/Admission Notice(Tennyugaku Tsuchisho) or School Enrollment Notice(Shugaku no Goannai).
• ② Get information about the different elementary or junior high schools your children could attend.
• ③ Visit the school and submit a School Transfer/Admission or School Enrollment Notice. The school will give you an Application Form for Enrollment of Non-Japanese Students (Gaikoku-jin Shugaku-todoke). Please fill in all necessary items on the form and return it to the school.

Research Section, Secretariat to the Board of Education　TEL：075-222-3772

Text books for elementary school and junior high school are free. School lunch　served at elementary schools costs ¥4,700 yen per month. Junior high school students can choose weekly or monthly if they have school lunches or bring homemade lunches until they graduate from the school. The school lunch costs ¥310 yen per day.
＊A Financial Assistance Program (Shugaku Enjo) for school supplies and school lunches is available those families with financial difficulties. Ask a teacher at your child’s school for the program.

Research Section, Secretariat to the Board of Education　TEL：075-222-3817
Physical and Health Education Office, Secretariat to the Board of Education　TEL：075-708-5323

If your child cannot speak Japanese?

Children, who cannot speak Japanese, can receive Japanese lessons in Japanese at the school. In addition, you can ask for interpreters’ assistance with the school to communicate with the school.

School Guidance Section, Secretarial to the Board of Education　TEL：075-222-3815

Senior High School

Senior high school education is not compulsory in Japan. There are public schools such as national, prefectural and municipal schools as well as private schools that provide various courses. To enter Japanese senior high schools, an academic level equivalent to the Japanese junior high school graduates is required.

For further information about public senior high schools, contact:

School Guidance Section, Secretarial to the Board of Education　TEl：075-222-3811
High School Education Section, Kyoto Prefectural Board of Education　TEL：075-414-5848

＊For families of students or students who would like to attend high school but have financial difficulties, there is a High School Entrance Support System where financial support is available (for high school or vocational schools).

For further information about financial support for entering senior high schools and tuition support, contact;

Child & Family Support Sub-Office TEL：075-251-1123
Child-rearing Support Office at the Public Health & Welfare Center of your local Ward Office or Branch Ward Office