International Language House
Preschool offers
a fun and nurturing
environment
for your child!
Language House Bilingual Care
At International Language House Preschool, young children are welcomed into a world where English and Japanese flow naturally side by side.
Our experienced Japanese childcare teachers and international instructors work together in small groups to gently nurture bilingual development. Children explore a rich and varied curriculum filled with songs, dances, games, and art from around the world - while also celebrating traditional Japanese seasonal events. At the same time, we carefully guide them through essential early childhood habits such as toilet training, self-care routines, and table manners, supporting working parents who want both solid upbringing and bilingual education for their children.
Early childhood is when the foundations of communication truly take shape. Through our English–Japanese bilingual environment, we help expand each child’s possibilities and nurture confident young learners who can one day engage with the world as strong, well-rounded individuals.
SCHOOL PHILOSOPHY
Through bilingual education, our goal is to shape the next generation of proud and confident Japanese individuals who live in an increasingly global-minded society by equipping them with the independence and language skills necessary to step fearlessly into the future.
Educational Goal:
Bilingual Early Education
Childcare Goal:
Teamwork and Manners in a Safe Environment
English Language Education Goal:
Vocabulary and Phonics
We provide bilingual education for children from 1 year & 7 months to 3 years old.
Under the supervision and care of both English teachers and Japanese care providers, children will build a bilingual foundation as the base of their education while learning to respect the differences in culture that comes with this approach.
We will introduce the concept of communal living while focusing on developing proper manners and language use between the children and their peers.
1 year & 7 months to 3 years: This age period is an optimal time in a child’s development to introduce and focus on Phonics. At the same time, we will introduce new vocabulary that the child can put together to make simple sentences in their daily life.
STRENGTHS
Why 1 Year and 7 Months?
Bilingual Program
1 year and 7 months is the ideal time to begin training a child’s brain to switch between Japanese and English. At this age, childrens’ linguistic and physical development grow at a remarkable rate where – if we make the most of this opportunity – we can see noticeable results.
Children not only participate in the structured learning program with English teachers but also go through the daily routine with them. They are consistenly exposed to English. Since they hear it on a daily basis, they are able to improve their English-listening ability – something they would not be able to do in a different environment.
Foundational Daily Habits
English Teachers and Japanese Providers
In addition to receiving instruction in English from our English teachers, our Japanese providers provide support in Japanese to help the children build foundational daily habits such as toilet training, changing clothes, putting things away, etc. Daily consultation on childcare is available for parents/guardians.
The school is staffed by a qualified English teacher and experienced Japanese providers. We provide family-like childcare in small groups, carefully attending to the childrens’ development so that they can focus on enjoying their time at school.
DAILY SCHEDULE
The classroom is filled with the teacher’s English and children’s laughter. The walls are lined with children’s seasonal artwork. The collaboration between the experienced Japanese providers and English teachers motivates the children and nurtures their strong character. We provide a safe and comfortable childcare environment from the time children arrive at school to the time they are picked up. Here, we introduce a typical day at Language House Preschool.
1. Arrival
2. Daily Health Check
3. Circle Time /
Play Time
4. Outdoor Play
5. Manners & Daily Habits
6. Lunch Time
“Good morning!” The Japanese provider cheerfully welcomes your child so that they won’t feel anxious about being away from their parents. The Japanese provider listens carefully to any information that needs to be communicated and then gets ready for the day’s activities. The children take off their shoes and bags and put them away.
You’re as cheerful as ever today! Or are you a bit sad? Do you have a fever? Is your diaper okay? We carefully check the children’s physical and mental health to ensure that they can spend the day comfortably and in good health.
The experienced English teacher calls the children over to form a circle so they can sing and dance together using English. The childrens’ curiosity is stimulated as they play in English.
After getting ready with their teachers, the children go to the nearby park or out for a walk around Myorenji when the weather is nice. The children have fun playing with the English teachers, and the Japanese providers make sure that they are safe.
After returning from outside, the children take off their shoes, wash their hands, and gargle. The Japanese provider and English teacher help the children learn the basics of how to take care of themselves and provide positive reinforcement and praise, saying “Good job!”.
After a busy morning, the long-awaited lunch time starts with a greeting in Japanese: “Now let’s eat. Itadakimasu!” The children learn Japanese manners and also have fun eating together. Even children who don’t have a big appetite want to eat! We also take measures to ensure any children with allergies are kept safe.
7. Free Play
8. Nap Time
9. Snack Time
Since the children have spent all morning exercising their minds and bodies, they quickly fall asleep. For those who cannot sleep, the teachers stay nearby to provide support and to ensure the other children get their rest. The Japanese providers keep a close eye on the children while they sleep to prevent them from falling asleep on their stomach. After a good nap, the children are ready to play together again.
After waking up from nap time, it’s time to have a snack! “Cookies!”, “Bread!” What kind of snacks did you bring today?
10. Fun Time
11. Daily Review
12. Pick-Up Time
“Let’s play together!” The children play games in English with teachers and friends. Together, they play with colorful alphabet blocks. We find ways to incorporate English into play and foster international communication skills. Afterwards, children will be dismissed according to their pick-up time.
"What color is it?" "It's blue!" The English teacher and Japanese providers review what the children have learned that day. The habit of remembering and reflecting on the day's events will help to develop bilingualism in the children.
At 3:00 p.m., it’s pick-up time. “See you!” We sing the goodbye song in English to end the day. When parents come to pick up their children, the Japanese provider gives them a full report on how the children did that day. The children love showing their parents the artwork or craft they made with the teachers.
Q&A
Q: This will be the first time being away from my child. Will we be separated from the beginning? A: One of our nursery school’s basic principles is to separate parents and their child from the beginning. As your child communicates with teachers and friends on his or her own, he or she will develop a sense of independence.
Q: Will childcare be conducted completely in English? I am worried that my child will forget Japanese. A: Childcare at the school is provided in both Japanese and English. The two languages are naturally acquired as the children talk with the English teachers and Japanese providers.
Q: Is school lunch provided? A: In early childhood, during meals it is important to build on the experience of “I can eat it!”. For this reason, we ask that you prepare a lunch box that is tailored to your child’s needs, rather than a uniform school lunch.
Q: What type of menu is best for the lunch box? A: Bite-size portions consisting of mainly of your child’s favorite foods are likely to be more appetizing. Please consult with the provider regarding the amount and ingredients.
Q: What do you do in free play? A: During free play time, children enjoy dancing and singing with English teachers, while becoming familiar with English. With Japanese providers, children engage in Japanese fingerplay and songs.
Q: How can parents receive updates about classroom activities? A: You will be provided with updates about your child through the Communavi App. Please feel free to contact us anytime with any concerns you may have.
Q: Can I change the childcare hours? A: Pick-up times are requested at 1:00 p.m., 3:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. to accommodate children’s activities. Please feel free to contact us for extensions due to sudden schedule changes.
Q: Do I have to use childcare 5 days per week? A: We provide childcare starting from a minimum of 2 days per week. Please choose from 2 to 5 days per week.
Q: What time is drop off? What if I am going to be late? A: In order for everyone to enjoy the morning program, we ask that you arrive at the school between 8:00 and 9:00 am. Please contact us if you will be late.
Q: Are there any long vacations, such as summer or winter vacation? A: We will be closed during the Obon and Christmas periods. Please check the schedule for dates.
Q: Can my child be potty-trained during childcare hours? A: Toilet training will be discussed with you while monitoring your child’s progress. Please consult with Japanese providers about when to switch to underwear.
Q: Do you offer outside activities? A: Yes! On sunny days, we take the kids for a stroll to the park nearby or they play in the sandbox. The children absorb English through these experiences outside.
Q: If my child attends ILH Preschool, is there a priority for admission to the ILH Kindergarten? A: Yes! Students who attend ILH Preschool will be given priority for admission to ILH Kindergarten. The preschool prepares students to become familiar with English in preparation for English education in the Kindergarten.
If you have any other questions, please feel free to contact us!
WHY BILINGUAL?
As the environment surrounding Japan undergoes major changes, the level of communication skills required of children in the future will also need to be more advanced than it is today. From a young age, it is imperative to provide children with opportunities to practice differentiating between Japanese and English, comprehending both languages, and using varied communication styles depending on the situation. Infancy (from 1 year and 7 months.) is the best age to start learning about “manners,” “language,” and “life skills”. Language House Preschool provides valuable learning opportunities that cannot be experienced at English cram schools or tutoring schools that children can use as they continue and progress into elementary school.
About International Language House Preschool
Name
Established
Principal
TEL
Address
Director
International Language House Preschool
April 1, 2018
Junko Uranashi
045-947-2202
2-chōme-11-16 Shinoharahigashi
Kohoku Ward, Yokohama, Kanagawa 222-0022
Yoshiko Kurobe