Together With Local Communities
Akebono Nursery School (Ai-Kids)
Exterior of the Akebono Nursery School (Ai-Kids)
Interior of the Nursery School
In April 2018, Akebono established the Akebono Nursery School, also known as 'Ai-Kids,' within Ai-City (its headquarters) in Hanyu City, Saitama Prefecture, Japan, as part of workstyle reforms, efforts to enhance employee benefits, and contributions to the local community. Parents of children attending the school include Akebono employees as well as individuals who work at other companies in the region. Moving forward, Akebono aims to further contribute to the local community.
At Ai-Kids, we embrace a child-centered approach to early childhood education and care. This approach places priority on each child's interests, ideas, and desire to try new things.
By encouraging children to engage deeply in activities and play that they choose themselves, we create an environment where learning and development occur naturally through meaningful experiences.
This approach nurtures important personal qualities such as independence, autonomy, initiative, concentration, and perseverance, supporting the healthy development of each child's character and inner strengths.
When children feel that their thoughts and feelings are accepted and that they are valued for who they are, they gain confidence and become motivated to think independently and take action on their own. Through these experiences, they develop the foundations of life skills and interpersonal skills, while building a strong base of non-cognitive skills such as self-esteem, resilience, and self-motivation.
We place great importance on helping each child truly feel that they are valued and important.
Childcare Philosophy
| Kids First | : | Nothing is more important than the well-being and best interests of every child. |
|---|---|---|
| “Child” Means “Individual” | : | We respect and nurture each child's unique personality and developmental journey. |
| ALL For Kids | : | Everything we do is dedicated to the children. |
Our childcare philosophy at Ai-Kids is based on the principle of "mutual-education" in which children and their families, as well as childcare workers, all foster growth and development in each other. We aim to contribute to 1. Balancing work and childcare responsibilities, 2. Retaining human resources, 3. Improving associate satisfaction and corporate image, and 4. Raising male associates' awareness of childcare.
Educational Goals
Our theme is to nurture children who can think and act independently and to foster the skills needed for life.
To support the balanced physical, emotional, and social development of infants and young children, we provide care and education based on the following eight goals:
| Initiative | : | Children who can think for themselves and take action independently. |
|---|---|---|
| Independence | : | Children who can carry out tasks and overcome challenges through their own efforts. |
| Self-Discipline | : | Children who can regulate their own behavior and make responsible choices. |
| Creativity | : | Children who can think creatively and develop original ideas. |
| Imagination | : | Children who express their individuality and rich imagination. |
| Social Skills | : | Children who show kindness, empathy, and consideration for others. |
| Curiosity | : | Children who are interested in and eager to learn about the world around them. |
| Self-Esteem | : | Children who can believe in themselves and value who they are. |
Fostering Children Who Value Things
At Ai-Kids, we have a variety of handmade toys available. To meet children's intellectual and sensory needs, childcare workers design and create these toys themselves. By interacting with these warm, lovingly crafted toys, children develop a sense of appreciation and learn to value things.
Waterwheel Made from Milk Cartons
Toy for Learning to Fasten and Unfasten Buttons
Seasonal Events
At Ai-Kids, we also hold a variety of seasonal events throughout the year, including a Summer Festival, Halloween, Christmas, and Setsubun (Bean-Throwing Festival).
For Halloween, the children dress up in costumes and enjoy a festive parade to the cafeteria, where they are greeted by the staff who support them every day. During Tanabata (the Star Festival), the children write their wishes on colorful paper strips and hang them on bamboo branches as part of the celebration.
Halloween
Tanabata
