You can become a nursery teacher at a certified center for early childhood education and care with only a nursery teacher qualification!
I am "Nontan," a member of the "Senior Male Nursery Teacher Network."
When I first obtained my nursery teacher qualification, I only considered working at nursery schools.
In August 2021, just as I passed the nursery teacher qualification exam, I found a notice in a newspaper insert about a local "Childcare Job Fair" hosted by the prefectural Council of Social Welfare.
The event was scheduled for Saturday, August 7th. In fact, this was the day of the YouTube remote concert for the three-generation choir I lead. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we couldn't hold live stage concerts, and both the members and their families were looking forward to this remote concert.
However, due to a sudden surge in COVID-19 infections—I don't remember which wave it was—the community center we were using as the concert venue was unexpectedly closed, forcing us to cancel the remote concert.
I was very disappointed because the members and I had practiced so hard. But I decided to change my mindset and use this time to attend the "Childcare Job Fair" instead.
The only qualification I held was the nursery teacher one I had just passed, and I only had eyes for "nursery schools" as a place of employment. After all, you need a kindergarten teacher license to work at kindergartens or certified centers for early childhood education and care.
When I entered the venue, the first thing that caught my eye was the booth for a certified center for early childhood education and care. That center had been a kindergarten until 2014, and it was actually the one my children had attended!
I made eye contact with the current director and the head teacher sitting at the booth, and although I didn't intend to apply there, I decided to listen to what they had to say for reference. Looking back now, I realize this was a turning point in my life. I am truly glad that our eyes met.
So, I sat down at the booth, greeted them by saying, "My children were once in your care," received the center's materials, and listened to their story.
While listening, I was surprised to learn that it is possible to work as a nursery teacher at a certified center for early childhood education and care with only a nursery teacher qualification! Although it is for a limited time (at the time, it was until the end of fiscal year 2024, but it has since been reviewed and extended to the end of fiscal year 2030), as a special measure, you can become a nursery teacher if you hold either a nursery teacher qualification or a kindergarten teacher license! I also learned that there is an advantage for nursery teacher qualification holders: if you satisfy the requirement of 3 years of work experience and 4,320 working hours within that period, you can obtain a kindergarten teacher license by completing 5 subjects and 8 credits at a university or similar institution. I was set to retire from my company at the mandatory retirement age (60) at the end of February 2023 and start working as a nursery teacher from April 2023, so according to the rules at the time, which only went until the end of fiscal year 2024, it wouldn't have worked out in time.
Also, this center was very welcoming to those starting their first job at the age of 60! It turned out to be an exciting and fun time at the booth.
This center became one of my candidates, and I told them, "I will contact you again in the summer of next year (2022)," and left the venue without visiting any other nursery school booths.
Written by: Nontan