At Ohana International Preschool Tokyo, we honor the individuality of every child, recognizing and celebrating their unique differences. We are committed to nurturing each child’s development, well-being, and love for learning by creating an environment where they feel valued, respected, and empowered to take responsibility for their own growth.
We believe that families are the most vital influence in a child’s life and that strong partnerships with parents and guardians are essential for fostering successful learning outcomes. Our role is to support and strengthen the relationships between children and their families, working collaboratively to ensure the best possible development for each child.
As part of a larger community, we embrace our responsibility to contribute positively to our neighborhood, city, and the global environment. We are dedicated to promoting sustainability, environmental stewardship, and making a meaningful difference in the world.
Proud of our commitment to early childhood education, we strive to shape a brighter future for children, their families, and the global community—believing that together, we can create a better world for all.
At Ohana International Preschool Tokyo we:
Respect the fact that all children are individuals.
Aim to nurture each child’s unique individuality and honor their differences.
Ensure that every child in our care is valued, respected, and given the opportunity to take responsibility for their own learning.
Aim to support the learning, development and well-being of young children.
Promote learning, not only for children but also for everyone associated with our International preschool in Tokyo.
Believe that parents and family are the most important people in children’s lives, and the biggest influence on their learning.
See our role as supporting the relationship between each child and his or her family by working in partnership with parents and families. We exist simultaneously and need to work together in order to achieve the best possible outcomes for us all.
Believe very strongly that we are part of a greater community which includes the children, their families, the neighborhood, the city we live in and the places that we come from.
Believe that we are part of a global community and can all make a difference in protecting our Earth, taking care of the environment and making the world a better place for everybody.
Are proud of our goals, guidelines, and commitment to Early Childhood Education; the future of the children in our care and the future of the global community that we are all a part of.
Each child is unique in both their differences and similarities. We encourage children to celebrate who they are through their cultures and families. Teachers spend time observing children to provide them with the best opportunities to develop their strengths further and, through their strengths, work on areas that require extra support.
We have two months in the year allocated explicitly for International Months, during which parents come to their child’s class to teach their friends about their origins. We believe that differences are something beautiful and positive, and we have so much to learn from each other’s uniqueness and individuality.
Parents work in partnership with us. They are welcome to give presentations during specific events/festivals that we celebrate at the school. Parents come and celebrate birthdays.
They can join our OPTO organization to support fundraising events and help behind the scenes with the classes and school. They have access to an app and receive information about what happened every single day, even if their child did not attend school on a particular day. They are an integral part of our school, and our success is dependent on a community. It takes a village to raise a child – Nelson Mandela.
Children are taught from the very first day how to sort garbage, a practice quite specific to Japan. They are familiar with terms such as burnable, unburnable, recyclables, non-burnable, etc. They learn how to develop a sense of social responsibility, which is closely tied to environmental responsibility. We have Earth Day every year and spend the day in darkness, to preserve electricity; we pick up garbage in the street, and we have a NO SINGLE USE PLASTIC policy in the school. Once again, it is the collective that can be successful.
By promoting holistic child development, honoring individuality and diversity, and building strong partnerships with parents and the wider community. They achieve this through an inclusive educational philosophy, diverse classrooms, trained staff, emergent curriculum, active communication, and community engagement, all aimed at nurturing confident and responsible global citizens.
Both parents and children are supported in the learning process.
Through a play-based, emergent curriculum that focuses on holistic development, fostering qualities like compassion, critical thinking, and global citizenship in a diverse, inclusive, and eco-conscious environment.
By emphasizing cooperation, inquiry-based learning, problem-solving, and a respect for differences, the school cultivates young individuals who are independent, reflective, and equipped to thrive in a global society. Academics are a certainty; however, if children leave us confident, independent, and with a good sense of self, we have given them wings to fly. Our focus on social and emotional development is the key.
OHANA INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL
3-12-36 Motoazabu
Minato-ku Tokyo 106-0046 JAPAN
