Kaede Yochien(Kindergarten) affiliated with Toyo Eiwa University

Basic Principles

Kaede Yochien (kindergarten) is located in Utsukushigaoka, Yokohama and was founded in 1973 as an affiliated institution to Toyo Eiwa Junior College (which has since transformed into Toyo Eiwa University). The basic principles of the kindergarten are 1) To provide high quality education for any child within the community based upon the faith of Christ; 2) To give rich student-teaching opportunities to college students pursuing careers as professional practitioners; 3) To conduct empirical research that contributes to the development of the field of early childhood education; and, 4) To set up hands-on programs for children's families to share the joy of nurturing young lives during the week as well as on week-ends. Currently, Kaede Yochien has an enrollment of approximately 150 boys and girls aged from 3 to 5 years-old.

Core Values of Practice

Serving God and People

As a Christian kindergarten, Kaede Yochien values time of worship service. It is a time for children and teachers to pray and thank God for their lives. Reading the Bible and listening to stories of Christ remind children and teachers about the love of God, which is reflected in their lives at the kindergarten. For example, sharing concerns about classmates in particular and people in general.

Learning through Play

Kaede Yochien provides every child with abundant time, space, a natural environment and various kinds of educational materials. Through free individual and group play, every child learns and develops holistically.

Growing as an Internationally Minded Person

Since Toyo Eiwa Jogakuin was founded by Canadian missionaries, Kaede Yochien strongly believes in the importance of educating young children to expand their view of the world through various hands-on international activities. For example, the children of Kaede Yochien participate in the "foster parents" program to support children in the Philippines. In addition, Kaede Yochien offers practical training and service for teachers from Kenya. We ensure that these programs help the children to serve and contribute to the development of their local community, as well as society as a whole, while they are growing up.

	3-46-8 Utsukushigaoka, Aoba-ku, Yokohama-shi, Kanagawa 225-0002 Japan Tel: +81-45-901-8423