FAQ
FAQ
QUESTIONS
About Sakura Childcare
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All three locations open at 8:25 AM and close at 5:45 PM.
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Sakura Childcare is closed on Saturdays, Sundays, all national holidays, and from December 24 through New Year’s Day. Other closures may occur due to staff shortages from illness, power outages, hazardous weather or extreme temperatures, etc. Details of these closures are listed in the Parents’ Handbook.
There will be no change in the monthly fee due to the above-mentioned unavoidable closures.
We ask that parents make individual arrangements for the care of their children during this period. We will adopt measures such as alternating staff vacations or hiring substitute staff members to avoid closing our childcare unless absolutely necessary.
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We will do our best to be as flexible as possible, but only during business hours and on the condition that spots are available.
For part-time positions, the day of the week must be confirmed, but parents can decide when to drop off and pick up their children within our hours of operation.
(e.g., 8:30 AM to 5:45 PM, 9:30 AM to 5:00 PM, etc.)
There is no change in the fee even if you shorten the time you attend the childcare. If you wish to change the day of the week or increase the number of days your child attends childcare, please contact us as soon as possible. In such cases, we will make every possible adjustment, but if you wish to reduce the number of days you attend childcare, written notice must be given at least two months in advance.”
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Children who do not yet speak and children who can speak only English are welcome to enroll.
For children who can speak only in a language that is neither Japanese nor English, we ask parents to create a word book to assist them. -
Basically, all activities are conducted in Japanese. If a child speaks only English at home, we will speak to them in English as a substitute, but children’s ability to absorb language is so fast that they learn Japanese in no time at all.
For those parents who do not speak Japanese, we provide various correspondence in both Japanese and English.
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The number of children allowed to attend childcare each day is 8, of which 3 are less than 36 months, and 5 are 36 months or older.
Wait List and pre-admission tours
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Since COVID-19, online viewing is available only to families whose turn it is to receive an available spot.
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While it does vary slightly depending on whether the child is less than 36 months or 36 months old or older, etc., we often see an average wait of one year or more. Vacancies often occur due to major events such as a family moving away or the birth of a second or third child, and are difficult to predict.
The most available spots are in September each year when children turning 5 years old graduate in August and move up to kindergarten. The best way to secure a spot for your child is to get your name on the waitlist as soon as possible. Please contact our office at your earliest convenience so we can arrange this.
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The waitlist is determined in the order of the date we receive each inquiry.
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Please feel free to contact us even before the birth of your child. We will not be able to officially place your child on the waitlist until after the birth of your child, but we will note the date of your first inquiry which determines the order in which your name will appear on the waitlist.
Once your child is born, you will need to send us an email with the necessary information such as name, date of birth, and the date of your initial inquiry. We will provide you with more details when you contact us.
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Yes, you can put siblings on the waitlist at the same time. Please provide us with information for each sibling, such as name, date of birth, etc.
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Siblings of current children in the childcare are eligible for our Priority Waitlist and will be given priority when a spot is available. Please notify us as soon as possible if you would like to be placed on the waitlist.
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If you are as flexible as possible, you will have a better chance of securing a spot for your child. For example, if you are able to accept placement at any of our three locations, full time or part-time, any day of the week, etc., you will likely be offered a spot as soon as one becomes available.
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Children under 12 months are also eligible for enrollment, but there are specific requirements. Please contact us for more information.
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Unfortunately, there is no way to tell for certain when your child will be able to enter our childcare. As such, many guardians wait on the waitlist while sending their children to other childcare facilities. If you know when you will be returning to work, we recommend that you look for a place to increase your possibilities for securing your child’s care.
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We offer spots as soon as they become available, regardless of the time of year.
About Fees
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The monthly fee includes childcare for each confirmed day, craft materials, and other materials needed for the program. It also includes field trips for which admission fees are not required.
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A deposit (50% of the monthly fee) is required to guarantee your child’s spot in advance. There is no refund if your child does not attend scheduled or if you cancel less than 2 months prior to the scheduled start date.
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Yes, it is available. Please let us know as soon as possible after your child’s enrollment is confirmed. We will issue a letter as the childcare provider and you will be required to make the normal payment while your Affordable Childcare Benefit is being processed or if your application is not approved. It is the parent/guardian’s responsibility to manage any renewal or reapplication for Affordable Childcare Benefit.
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There are no refunds or transfers. If you wish to keep your spot when you return from a long vacation, you will be required to pay a monthly fee. If you are unable to pay during your child’s absence, you will be asked to withdraw from the childcare once, then put your child on our waitlist.
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We ask that everyone pick up their child by 17:45 at the latest: both the child and the person picking up the child must be out of the facility and the school doors must be closed by 17:45. Even if you arrive before 17:45 but are still in the facility after 17:45, a late fee will be applied. If you are late, you will be charged a $10 late fee for each 5-minute period before 17:50 per visit up to two times a month, and $25 for each 15-minute period after three times a month.
Example)
Pick-up at 17:48 → $10 surcharge (1st time)
Pick-up at 17:49 → $10 surcharge (2nd time)
Pick-up time at 17:50 → $25 surcharge (3rd time)If you are later than 17:50, you will be charged $25 for every 15 minutes regardless of the number of times you are late.
Example)
Pick-up at 18:10 → $50 surcharge (1st time)
Pick-up at 17:49 → $10 surcharge (2nd time)
Pick-up at 17:50 → $25 surcharge (3rd time) -
Yes, we have been participating in the Child Care Fee Reduction Initiative (CCFRI) since its inception by the BC government. The fees listed on this website have already had the Child Care Fee Reduction Initiative (CCFRI) deducted, therefore show the precise amount parents are required to pay.
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The fee you pay will change from the month of your child’s birthday. For example, a child who turns 2 in May will be charged the fee for the 12 to 23 months category up until the end of April, then the fee for the 24 to 35 months category from May.
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We do not offer a sibling discount.
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Since COVID-19, we only accept eTransfer.
About Admission
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All you need to bring each time is a full water bottle, morning and afternoon snacks, and a packed lunch. Other than that, the following items may be left at the facility.
◎ For infants and children up to 3 years old
Diapers or training pants, wet wipes, water bottle, baby food (only if the child cannot yet eat regular food), and three sets of spare clothes
◎ For children between 3 and 5 years old
Diapers or training pants (if necessary), wet wipes (if necessary), water bottle, 2 sets of spare clothes
*We can also stock your child’s diapers and leave a change of clothes for you.
If your child has changed clothes throughout the day, please check the locker at pickup and restock on your child’s next visit. We will notify you when diapers and wipes run low and ask you to restock them.
Items for each season
◎ Summer only
Rash guard, swimsuit, sandals, sunscreen, hat
◎ Winter only
Rain gear (raincoat, raincoats, etc.), warm clothes
All belongings must be labeled with your child’s name and may be left in our locker if your child attends childcare at least two days a week. -
Yes, there is nap time after lunch. Children who no longer nap will have quiet time on their own mattresses to rest.
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Yes, we support toilet training at our childcare. The best way to start training is for your child to become interested in using the toilet, so we will work with you to achieve potty training.
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Please read the Illness Policy in the Parents’ Handbook that you will receive when it is your turn to be offered a spot. As an example below, we ask everyone to stay home and rest if you have any of the following typical symptoms.
Fever of 37.8 C or higher (orally) or 99 F / 37. 5 C or higher (under the arm)
Watery stools or diarrhea
Nausea or vomiting
Skin rashes, etc., which may indicate possible infection.If any of the symptoms listed in the policy are observed, we ask that you pick your child up from childcare within one hour if possible. In order to prevent possible infections within the school, children who have symptoms will be isolated from other children under the supervision of a staff member and wait quietly until their parent/guardian comes to collect them.
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If a spot becomes available, we will contact you two to three months in advance at the earliest. We will first contact you by phone at the number you have registered on our waitlist. If we are unable to reach you via phone, we will contact you at the email address you have provided. We ask that you respond within 1-2 days.
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Once you let us know that you would like to secure a spot, we will send you a registration package, and upon receipt of your completed registration form and deposit, your child’s spot will be reserved.
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After registering, we will send you a set of manuals to prepare for your child’s enrollment. Approximately two weeks prior to the start of childcare, you will have an interview with your child’s teacher. We will discuss the details of your child’s care and work with you to make your child’s enrollment as smooth as possible.
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Basically, it is up to the parents to decide whether or not to do gradual entry, but we recommend it for the smooth adjustment of your child.
The following is our recommended gradual entry pattern.
Day 1: 8:25 – 11:30 (about 3 hours), pick up before lunch
Day 2: 8:25 – 12:30 (about 4 hours) pick up after lunch
Day 3: 8:25 – 15:30 (about 7 hours) Pick up after nap
Day 4: 8:25 – 17:45 (full day)
We especially recommend gradual entry for children under 4 years old, children who are leaving their parents for the first time, children who have never spent time in a group of children, and children whose main language at home is not Japanese. The same fee will be charged during gradual entry.
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Yes. We will accept your request after registration is confirmed.
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Yes, there are 2 parking spaces in front of the house or free parking on the street.