Translation guide
A place where young children are cared for during the day, typically while parents work. In Japanese, the term depends on the type of facility and context.
A government-approved childcare facility for infants and preschool children, operating full-day care.
The standard term for a licensed daycare center, mainly for children from infancy to preschool age. Often used for full-time working parents.
子供を保育園に預けています。
I leave my child at a day nursery.
A more formal or legal term for a daycare center, often used in official contexts. Same as 保育園 in practice.
この地域には保育所が不足しています。
There is a shortage of day nurseries in this area.
An educational facility for preschool children, often with shorter hours and an emphasis on early education.
Kindergarten, typically for children aged 3–5, with a focus on education rather than full-day care. Not exactly a day nursery, but sometimes used in translation.
娘は来年幼稚園に入ります。
My daughter will start nursery school next year.
Small-scale, often home-based childcare services that may not meet government standards.
Unlicensed childcare facility. Often used for smaller, private day nurseries.
認可外保育施設を利用する家庭も増えています。
More families are using unlicensed day nurseries.
A type of unlicensed daycare that operates extended hours, sometimes overnight. The term can carry a negative connotation.
ベビーホテルに預けるのは不安です。
I'm anxious about leaving my child at a baby hotel.
A daycare facility provided by a company for its employees' children.
On-site daycare center at a workplace. Often called 企業内保育所 (きぎょうないほいくしょ) as well.
会社の事業所内保育所に子供を預けています。
I leave my child at the company's on-site day nursery.
A facility where children can be left for short periods, not necessarily on a regular basis.
Temporary childcare service, often available at daycare centers or community facilities.
急用のときは一時保育を利用します。
When I have urgent business, I use temporary daycare.
保育園 (hoikuen) is a daycare center focusing on childcare for working parents, while 幼稚園 (yōchien) is a kindergarten focusing on early education. 保育園 often has longer hours and accepts younger children.
In Japan, the type of facility (licensed, unlicensed, workplace, etc.) matters for availability, cost, and quality. The English term 'day nursery' may not capture these distinctions.