Do you enjoy working with children and want to experience everyday life in Japan beyond the well-known tourist attractions? With this Child Care Project in Kyoto You'll assist the teaching staff at a local kindergarten and daycare center. As you play, do crafts, and make music with the children, you'll get to know them and, at the same time, learn how daily life is organized at two Japanese childcare facilities.
The project focuses on the cultural exchange. You’ll accompany the children during their daily activities and incorporate small elements from your own cultural and linguistic background. This isn’t about formal instruction, but rather about interaction, curiosity, and learning together. Even simple contributions—such as a song, a few words in your language, or a description of a typical breakfast—can offer the children an exciting change of pace.
The program is particularly well-suited for open-minded, patient, and responsible individuals who enjoy working with children and are willing to respectfully adapt to the procedures of a Japanese institution.
The Childcare Project in Kyoto works with two local facilities: a kindergarten and a daycare center. Both are located in the same neighborhood as the volunteer housing where you’ll be staying and are just a few minutes’ walk away. The kindergarten is about a one-minute walk from your housing, and the daycare center is about a five-minute walk.
These institutions are not international schools. As a volunteer, you’ll support the Japanese teachers and caregivers in their daily routines. You will not be replacing a qualified educator, nor will you be solely responsible for supervising a group or for formal instruction. Instead, you will participate in the existing daily program, assist with simple preparations, and actively spend time with the children.
The primary goal of the program is to cultural and personal exchange. The children have the opportunity to get to know people from other countries and to be exposed to a different language and culture in a playful way. At the same time, you’ll gain firsthand insight into daily life at a Japanese kindergarten and daycare center.
Up to five volunteers can participate in the school program per assignment period. By working together in a small team, you can get personally involved and spend time with the children on a regular basis. The schools value continuity, which is why longer stays are appreciated. There is no set maximum duration.
Your most important task is to to support educational professionals and actively participate in the children’s daily routine. You’ll play with them, join them in group activities, and help create a friendly and supportive environment. In doing so, you’ll always follow the instructions of the teachers and caregivers in charge.
Depending on the daily schedule, you can take part in creative activities such as drawing, arts and crafts, music, or active games. Even during free playtime and outdoor activities, you’ll be available to the children and join in their games. This requires patience, attentiveness, and initiative, because not every child will approach a new person openly right away.
In addition to working directly with the children, you’ll take on small support tasks. For example, you can set up tables for an activity or a meal, lay out materials, help tidy up, or clean surfaces. These simple tasks take some of the load off the teachers and help ensure that the children’s daily routine remains as calm and structured as possible.
A key part of your role is contributing your own linguistic and cultural backgrounds. For example, you can teach the children a few simple words in your language, introduce a song, or work with the teachers to prepare a short cultural activity, such as introducing a „German breakfast.“ Always discuss which ideas can actually be implemented with the people in charge beforehand. Your contributions should be appropriate for the children’s ages and fit into their existing daily routine.
You are not responsible for conducting prepared lessons or setting learning objectives on your own. The focus is on your presence, interacting with the children, and supporting the existing team. This creates an environment where you can contribute your personality and experiences without taking over the role of the trained professionals.
The operation involves a total of approximately 25 hours per week. At a kindergarten, you’ll typically work from about 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. At a daycare center, the day may be divided into two shifts: approximately from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. There is a longer break in between. The exact schedule is organized on-site and may vary depending on the facility and current needs.
Kyoto is one of the most culturally rich Japan's most important cities. Historic temples, shrines, traditional wooden houses, and well-tended gardens are just as much a part of the cityscape as modern shopping streets, universities, and lively residential neighborhoods. This blend of history and modernity makes Kyoto a diverse destination for an extended stay. Temple, Shrines and peaceful gardens are firmly woven into the rhythm of the city, creating an atmosphere that feels serene and runs deep within the History is deeply rooted. A stroll through Kyoto means quiet streets, Wooden Houses, discover small cafes and neighborhoods where time seems to pass more slowly. Whether you're visiting famous Sights Whether you're exploring or discovering hidden spots, Kyoto invites you to experience Japan's cultural heritage in an authentic and gentle way.
The project is located in a residential neighborhood in the Northwest Kyoto, near the Uzumasa Tenjingawa Station. The volunteer houses and both partner organizations are located close to one another. This means you can easily reach your volunteer sites on foot and, during your stay, get to know a neighborhood that is shaped above all by the daily lives of its residents.
You can reach downtown in about 30 minutes by subway or bike. Bikes are available for you to use. In your free time, you can explore both the surrounding area and Kyoto’s famous cultural attractions.
You don't need a professional Teaching Experience, to participate in this program. The key factors are your Enthusiasm for your work with children, your patience, and your willingness to Daily Routines and meet the school's cultural expectations. Good physical condition is important, as the work involves physical activity, play, and occasional lifting. Volunteers must be at least 18 years old, and the program is particularly suitable for people aged 20 and older. For health reasons, volunteers must Chickenpox have had it or have been vaccinated against it.
Before the trip, volunteers must also obtain a police Certificate of Good Conduct submit.
For the program, you'll need Conversational-level English proficiency, so that you can understand organizational arrangements and communicate effectively in an international volunteer setting.
Knowledge of Japanese is not a formal requirement. However, since you will be working at local Japanese organizations, even a basic knowledge of the language can make your daily life much easier. The project recommends a proficiency level of approximately N5, as well as the ability to read hiragana and understand or use simple sentences.
Even if you know only a few Japanese words, you should be prepared to communicate patiently, observe carefully, and ask for clarification when something is unclear. Body language, gestures, and working together play an especially important role when working with children.
During your stay, you'll be staying in one of the two Volunteer Centers of the project. Depending on the house and current occupancy, two to four volunteers usually share a room.
Accommodations are provided in mixed-gender houses and may also include mixed-gender shared rooms. The project strives to accommodate requests for single-gender housing but cannot guarantee it. Each house has a shared bathroom and toilet available to residents.
The main house serves as a central meeting place for volunteers from both accommodations. The shared living and dining area is used for conversations, group dinners, and occasional gatherings with local volunteers. The main house also contains a secure area for young cats. Access to this area is restricted to volunteers in the cat program who have received the appropriate training. The second house is used primarily for the cat project and also includes areas where cats are housed.
At the lodging facilities, you'll find Wi-Fi and a Washing Machine are available. Detergent and various everyday necessities, such as toilet paper, paper towels, and tissues, are provided by the project. You can use the communal kitchen to prepare your own meals.
Full meals are not included. However, some basic food items such as rice, pasta, and spices are available in the house. Supermarkets and convenience stores are within walking distance.
At childcare facilities, a typical Japanese Lunch is provided for volunteers. However, it cannot be adapted to specific dietary needs. If you follow a vegetarian or vegan diet or cannot eat certain foods, you should therefore expect to bring your own food if necessary.
In Japan, our contact person, Alejandro, is always available to offer you advice and support. He has been an integral part of our team since WanderWorld was founded in 2018 and knows our projects and partners inside and out. Alejandro is originally from Guatemala, but moved to Japan a few years ago to be with his wife, and from there he supports our volunteers throughout Asia.
Whether you have organizational questions, need travel tips, or have any other last-minute requests, Alejandro is here for you. You can reach him quickly and easily via WhatsApp or phone. He’ll also provide you with valuable insider tips on the most beautiful places, the best modes of transportation, and everything else that will make your time in Japan unforgettable.
Founder of Wanderworld Travel
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