Preschool
Program Features
NLF Preschool Programs provide childcare services for children aged 2 yrs. 10 mo. to 5 years old. We provide a flexible schedule designed to accommodate the needs of families (full-day, half-day or three days per week).
- Developmentally appropriate experiential and hands-on teaching techniques to support each child’s learning style
- A curriculum that cultivates the child’s social, cognitive, physical, emotional and linguistic development
- Integration of Japanese language, culture and community in academic disciplines
- Hot meals and nutritious snacks prepared on site
- Weekly field trips
- Mental health consultation services for children, parents and staff
- Interaction with community based organizations in Japantown.
Curriculum
The bilingual staff speaks to the children in Japanese throughout the day, and a mini Japanese lesson is provided daily to familiarize the children with the hiragana letters and simple words and phrases in Japanese through songs, games and activities. The curriculum is enriched with Japanese cultural events and celebrations such as Oshogatsu (New Year’s Day), Setsubun, Hina matsuri (Doll Festival), Kodomo no Hi (Children’s day), Natsu Matsuri (Summer festival) and Undou Kai (Sports day).
NLF incorporates inquiry-based learning by encouraging children to explore topics in depth, fostering critical thinking, curiosity, play and movement, and problem-solving skills. Through this approach, students actively ask questions, investigate ideas, and make meaningful connections to the world around them.
NLF incorporates inquiry-based learning by encouraging children to explore topics in depth, fostering critical thinking, curiosity, play and movement, and problem-solving skills. Through this approach, students actively ask questions, investigate ideas, and make meaningful connections to the world around them.
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Parent participation requirement
One of the organization’s strengths is our parental involvement and participation. Parents play an active role in the development of NLF and work with staff members to insure high quality childcare and education. Parents participate through a committee system that plans fundraisers, community events, family socials, educational functions, parents' night out services and education on topics such as child development, nutrition, and elementary school choices. Parent representatives are members of the Board of Directors which set and implement our policies and goals.
Since NLF's monthly family fees do not cover the full cost of running the programs, we require parents to participate in fundraising and other activities as described below, to keep the fees as low as possible.
Our Preschool Programs require parents to participate in 12 activities for a single-parent family and 18 activities for a two-parent family. In addition, parents are required to participate in all three of its major fundraising activities and the annual general meeting each September. If parents in either program are unable to participate in the required number of events, an additional "non-participatory" surcharge will apply.
Since NLF's monthly family fees do not cover the full cost of running the programs, we require parents to participate in fundraising and other activities as described below, to keep the fees as low as possible.
Our Preschool Programs require parents to participate in 12 activities for a single-parent family and 18 activities for a two-parent family. In addition, parents are required to participate in all three of its major fundraising activities and the annual general meeting each September. If parents in either program are unable to participate in the required number of events, an additional "non-participatory" surcharge will apply.
