Preschool & Kindergarten FAQ

Regardless of whether a student is internal or external, assessments are required when advancing from preschool to kindergarten and from kindergarten to primary school.

Full-day and 5-hour courses, gender ratio, birth month, presence of allergies, and bus usage are considered. Academic performance is also taken into account, but this information is not disclosed to parents.

Laurus adopts the Cambridge International Curriculum, where first-year students in the UK start at the age of five, which corresponds to the final year of kindergarten in Japan. Therefore, we designate this year as Year 1.

This does not apply to preschool or kindergarten. Starting in the fall of Year 1 (the final year of kindergarten), we offer an after-school program where students can begin learning basic hiragana and katakana. Participation is optional.

Is English proficiency required for parents?Parental English proficiency is not a factor in admission decisions. However, kindergarten students do have homework, and parents may need to provide some support at home.. 

Yes, you can learn more about this at our Admissions FAQ page.

Musashi-Shinjo Campus is eligible for both the tuition-free childcare program and Kawasaki City subsidies. To qualify, families must obtain certification for childcare necessity. Please check Kawasaki City's website or scan the QR code on our subsidy information sheet for details. For further inquiries, contact Kawasaki City's Tuition-Free Childcare Office.

Our Musashi-Kosugi and Musashi-Shinjo Schools are Kawasaki City-certified childcare facilities. Families who meet certain conditions may apply for Kawasaki City's "Certified Childcare Facility Fee Subsidy." For details, please contact our admissions office directly. Learn more about our tuition fees for Musashi Kosugi and Musashi Shinjo.

Yes, it is possible, however too many changes can cause disruption. Please contact us for more information.

School lunch is available. Alternatively, students may bring their own packed lunch from home. For details on school lunch options, including allergy accommodations, please contact each campus directly.

All our schools use the same curriculum. However, lessons are tailored to the students in front of the teacher, so homework may vary. You can read more about our curriculum at our Academics FAQ

Some of our teachers hold teaching qualifications, but it is not a mandatory requirement for Pre-K schools. During the hiring process, candidates must conduct a demonstration lesson, and only those with extensive experience who meet our rigorous selection criteria are employed. From primary school onwards, all homeroom and specialized subject teachers are required to have teaching qualifications.

The English proficiency requirement varies depending on the grade level. For example, K1 students do not need prior English skills. However, if a child has a strong aversion to English, their school life may become challenging. Therefore, we recommend exposure to an English-speaking environment from the preschool level.

We kindly ask that you select a single campus when submitting your application. Find out more about each Preschool and Kindergarten here