Nagano Campus — 1-Year-Old Class (April 2027)
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Not “teaching English” — living a day that has English in it.
At one, children take in the sounds they hear exactly as they are. Rather than adding English lessons at this age, ISN places English on the side of daily life. Children never notice an “English time”.
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Designed under the supervision of international staff
Daily activities take place in an environment that incorporates English, and the programme is designed under the supervision of our international staff. The homeroom teacher is a Japanese childcare professional.
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Following each child’s own “I want to try”
At one, what interests a child, how they play and what they become able to do all differ from child to child. We observe closely what each child is drawn to and what they want to try, and we carry that into the daily activities and the environment we prepare. As the class grows, we will keep adjusting staffing and the environment to the number of children, so that we can continue to follow each child’s interests and development closely.
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Open 7:30–18:30
We look after children from 7:30 to 18:30, Monday to Friday (extended care requires prior registration). The hours are the same as our existing classes.
Note: class organisation and staffing
Depending on enrolment numbers and the circumstances of each year, the one-year-old and two-year-old classes may be run together.
When the classes are run separately, the one-year-old class is led by a Japanese childcare professional.
Daily activities that incorporate English are carried out in cooperation with our international staff.
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A year at Nagano Campus
The year for the one-year-old class follows the same pattern as the current two-year-old class.
Spring
- Entrance ceremony
- IB workshop for parents
- Bus excursion
- Class photo day
- School Open Day
Summer
- Water play
- Summer School
Autumn
- Bus excursion
- IB workshop for parents
- Parent–teacher meetings
- Sports festival
- Halloween party
- School Open Day
Winter
- School Open Day
- IB workshop for parents
- Christmas show
- Graduation ceremony
These events are for Nagano Campus as a whole. What each year group takes part in differs.
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Admissions for the 2027 school year
From application to enrolment
Submit the application form
Submit the application form to the campus in person or by post.
Parent interview
Within about two weeks of receiving your form we meet with you. We ask about your child’s development, how they usually are, and daily life at home, so that we can prepare together for a settled start.
Our reply and the enrolment paperwork
After the interview we let you know about a place. If your child is joining us, we hand over the paperwork, and the place is confirmed once it is completed by the stated deadline.
Please note that, having looked at the setting and the support your child needs in order to feel settled here, there are cases where we will talk with you further before confirming a place.
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Fees (2027 school year, one-year-old class)
Recurring monthly costs and one-off costs at enrolment are listed separately.
Payment is by monthly direct debit (on the 28th of the preceding month; the next business day if that falls on a weekend or public holiday).
The one-year-old class is not covered by Japan’s free early childhood education and childcare scheme.
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Frequently asked questions
Is there a foreign teacher in the one-year-old class?
The one-year-old class is led by a Japanese childcare professional. We create an environment where children meet English naturally through daily life and play, and the programme is run under the supervision of our international staff, matched to each child’s age and development. With settled care in Japanese as the foundation, children come into contact with the multicultural, English-speaking environment that is particular to ISN.
I heard the class is sometimes combined with the two-year-olds.
Depending on enrolment numbers, the one-year-olds and two-year-olds may spend time together. We pay close attention to safety and to each stage of development, and we organise the class around the numbers and how the children are, so that mixing ages becomes part of what they gain here.
My child is still on weaning food. Can they still start?
School lunch is served as solid food, so we ask that your child has moved on to solid food before starting with us. If anything about how weaning is going is on your mind, please feel free to talk it through with us when you visit.
Can we use the school bus?
The school bus is available from the two-year-old class onwards. For the one-year-old class, we ask families to bring and collect their child.
If my child turns two during the year, do they move to the two-year-old class?
No. Children move up to the two-year-old class the following April. Classes do not change partway through the year.
Can my child start partway through the year?
Yes, whenever there is a place available. Please contact the campus to ask about availability.
We do not speak English at home. Is that a problem?
That is not a problem at all. We have Japanese staff here, so day-to-day messages and any questions can be handled in Japanese.
Can my child start if they are not yet toilet trained?
Yes. We work on it together, sharing how it is going between the campus and home.
We would like to just visit first.
Please do come. We run visits on weekdays from 9:30 or from 15:15 (by appointment): about 30 minutes observing the class, then about 30 minutes for an explanation and your questions.
Do come and see the campus for yourself.
The look on the children’s faces as they go through their day, and the way our staff engage with them. We would be glad for you to feel the daily life of ISN in person — it is more than a brochure can carry.
About campus visits
Campus visits are welcome at any time.
Please get in touch using the “Book a visit” button below and a member of staff will come back to you. A visit takes about an hour. Anything you are wondering or worrying about is welcome at the visit too.
ISN Nagano Campus 2-5-6 Minami-Takada, Nagano City
TEL 026-217-7166 (please call to book a visit)
One-year-old class opening April 2027 / 12 places