#133 | Meinan Niji Nursery School (Hinode Welfare Association) | Nursery Teacher S.A.
Hello. This is the Enmikke! office.
For our 133rd nursery teacher interview, we spoke with S.A., a nursery teacher at Meinan Niji Nursery School (Hinode Welfare Association) in Akashi City, Hyogo Prefecture.
Q1. Please tell us about your assigned duties and role.
I am in charge of the 1-year-old class.
In addition to my homeroom duties, this year I have been responsible for ordering supplies, checking attendance for Saturday childcare, and managing photo sales. I am also on the graduation ceremony committee and am currently in the middle of preparations for the ceremony. (Date of response: February 7)
Q2. Why did you decide to work at Meinan Niji Nursery School?
During my job search, I visited five nursery schools.
When visiting schools, I focused on points such as:
・The atmosphere of the workplace
・Whether it is a free-play environment (whether I can practice the kind of childcare I want to do)
・Whether the toys provided are not just mass-produced items
I decided to work at Meinan Niji Nursery School because the direction of their childcare matched my own, and I felt that the workplace atmosphere and environment were warm and would allow me to work with peace of mind.
Q3. What are you proud of about Meinan Niji Nursery School?
There are many things I am proud of.
・Since it is a relatively new school, the environment is comfortable to work in, and I am allowed to put my own ideas into practice.
・The interpersonal relationships are good; although there are difficult times, we support each other and work hard.
・The school lunches are warm and delicious!
・The toys are selected to help children expand their imagination.
・There are no pianos; instead, we incorporate traditional children's songs. There is no burden of piano practice, and since there is training for children's songs, you become able to sing many songs that make children feel secure.
・Events are kept to a minimum, and there are no wall decorations. Both children and adults can spend their time without feeling overwhelmed.
・Because the capacity is small, we can interact carefully with each individual child.
Q4. Is there a gap between your ideals and reality while working?
Sometimes I struggle with what is best for the children.
Even if I want them to take a nap and get enough rest, there are children who don't want to sleep, and even if I want them to eat a balanced diet and grow up healthy, there are children who don't like to eat.
Also, if a child asks to be held, I want to respond as much as possible, but I sometimes worry that by holding them all the time, I might be hindering the growth of their ability to play on their own or their ability to switch their feelings.
I value respecting the children and accepting their feelings, but there are times when I don't know what should be prioritized. Each time, I think about it in my own way, consult with my seniors, and increase my knowledge through training, struggling and trying things out every day.
Q5. Please tell us a heartwarming episode with the children.
Working with the 1-year-old class, I find it very interesting to talk with them every day as what they previously expressed through babbling and gestures gradually turns into words.
Before nap time, there was a child who couldn't fall asleep and was resting their head on my lap. In the room, which was completely silent as most of the children were asleep, my stomach suddenly growled. The child stopped moving, listened closely, and then said in a loud voice, 'Teacher's tummy said hello' (^^;
I was embarrassed, but since it was just around the time they had started being able to speak in long sentences, I found that pure expression interesting, and above all, it was so cute that it made my heart melt.♡
Finally, a word for students and job seekers aiming to become nursery teachers!
Childcare is a job that is healing and rewarding, but it is also a job with many anxieties and difficulties.
That is precisely why I think it is very important to be able to work in an environment where staff support each other. I myself have been saved many times by the staff around me.
Meinan Niji Nursery School is full of thoughtful staff who will support you. I would be happy if you could come and visit the school to feel the atmosphere for yourself.
S.A., thank you for your cooperation with this interview.
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Date of response: February 7, 2026
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You can check the information for Meinan Niji Nursery School, who we interviewed this time, on the Enmikke! website.
Interview publication period: Until March 31, 2028
To all early childhood education students and job seekers
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