Saku Kirihara Campus (EN)
Saku Kirihara Campus
Saku Kirihara Campus Preschool
Age 7 months until age 6 / Certified Centre for Early Childhood Education and Care
An English-language environment from the very beginning, welcoming children from seven months old until age six.
Why this campus
From seven months
Children can join from seven months old — the earliest English-language start available at any ISN campus.
Certified centre
We accept children with Type 1, 2, and 3 certifications, providing options for families who require childcare.
Conveniently located in eastern Nagano
Easy to reach from Saku, Komoro, Ueda, Karuizawa, Miyota, and Sakuho.
English is our everyday language
English is the main language throughout the day, from arrival to pick-up time. From the age-5 class, Japanese-language sessions are also included, supporting children’s development in both languages.
Nature becomes part of every child’s everyday life
With mountains and rice fields just outside the campus, nature is part of everyday life. Children experience the changing seasons, make new discoveries, and learn through all five senses.
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 08:30 – 09:40 | Arrival, free play, workstations, tidy-up | ||||
| 09:30 – 10:00 | Morning circle time and tea break | ||||
| 10:00 – 11:40 | Workstations, crafts, free play and outdoor play | Gym | Swimming | Workstations, crafts, free play and outdoor play | Music |
| Workstations, crafts, free play and outdoor play | Workstations, crafts, free play and outdoor play | Swimming | Workstations, crafts, free play and outdoor play | Workstations, crafts, free play and outdoor play | |
| 11:40 – 13:00 | Lunch, recess and free play | ||||
| 13:00 – 15:00 | Nap and rest time | ||||
| 15:00 – 15:15 | Snack time | ||||
| 15:20 – 15:40 | Afternoon circle time | ||||
An example from the age‑5 class. Timetables vary by class.
Spring
Spring
- Entrance ceremony
- Open lesson day
- Class photos
- School open day
Summer
Summer
- Bus excursion
- Summer school
- Sports open day
- Sports festival
Autumn
Autumn
- Parents’ meeting
- Safety drill
- Halloween party
Winter
Winter
- Christmas show
- Graduation ceremony
We publish every cost, so that you can judge education as an investment that returns.
Preschool 2026‑2027
| Item | Amount | When | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Childcare fee | Ages 0, 1 and 2 ⇒ Set by Saku City according to household income Age 3 and above ⇒ Free | ||
| Programme fee (English programme) | Ages 0 and 1 ⇒ ¥10,000 Age 2 ⇒ ¥27,500 Age 3 and above ⇒ ¥49,000 | End of the preceding month | These amounts are not yet final. Siblings enrolled in preschool at the same time: 30% off for the second child, 40% off from the third. Where siblings attend both the elementary/middle school and preschool: 15% off for the second preschool child, 20% off from the third |
| Meals | ¥8,800 / month | End of the preceding month | |
| Registration fee (Type 1 certification) | ¥20,000 | Type 1 only. Non-refundable once paid | |
| School bus | ¥7,500 | ||
| Facilities fee (all ages) | ¥100,000 / year | End of the school year (for the following year) | ¥84,000 / year with the sibling discount |
| Extended care | Type 2 and 3 ⇒ Set by Saku City according to household income (per 30 minutes) | Added to the following month | |
| Monthly extended care | ¥3,800 / month | End of the preceding month | Type 1 only |
| Occasional extended care | ¥1,000 / 30 minutes | Added two months later | The same for every certification type |
| Afternoon snack during extended care | ¥50 / time | Debited the following month | Please talk to us about allergies |
| Nappy disposal | ¥500 / month | End of the preceding month | No longer charged once your child manages without nappies outside nap time |
| EAL lessons | ¥1,000 per 30-minute session | Added two months later | For children joining mid-year from the age-4 class who need English support, or any child who needs individual support |
| Items at cost (all ages) | Event costs and school items | As they arise | T-shirt, sweatshirt, class hat, melodica, class photos, afternoon snacks and similar |
Amounts are subject to change. We will go through the current details with you during your visit.
Opening hours
Class sizes
Visit and talk with us
We handle admissions individually. About 30 minutes observing a class, then 30 minutes for questions.
Apply (Type 1 certification)
Submit the application form to the school. If applications exceed the places available, children are prioritised by our criteria (1) a sibling already attends ISN, (2) one of the parents uses English at home.
Apply (Type 2 and 3 certification)
Submit the application to Saku City. The city carries out the allocation and selection, and closes applications once the places are filled.
Enrolment
Once the registration fee is confirmed we post the letter of acceptance. Enrolment materials (handbook, annual calendar) follow around February.
Thinking of relocating here?
Saku City runs a relocation desk with its own support programmes.
Our team
Learning Facilitator
What is a Learning Facilitator?
At ISN, we call our teachers Learning Facilitators.
Our Learning Facilitators are professional educators and classroom teachers who work directly with our students.
We intentionally use the term “Learning Facilitator” rather than simply “Teacher” because it reflects the approach to education that we value at ISN.
Rather than simply delivering knowledge or providing answers, our Learning Facilitators encourage children to ask, “Why?” “I wonder…” and “What if I try…?” They support students as they think for themselves, ask questions, explore ideas, and take an active role in their own learning.
From teaching to facilitating learning.
A Learning Facilitator learns alongside each child, supports their individual journey, and helps them discover and develop their potential.
That is what it means to be a Learning Facilitator at ISN.
Keiko Shiogawa
Assistant Learning Facilitator
Midori Hashimoto
Kitchen staff
Shiho Kanai
Kitchen staff
Saori Tanaka
Sunshine Assistant Learning Facilitator (0-2years old)
Yuri Shimosugi
Aurora Learning Facilitator (3-5years old)
Rudy Jr. Roa (Jun)
Sunshine Learning Facilitator(0-2years old）
Yoichi Shioya
Bus Driver
Yuko Nakajima
Saku kirihara campus head / Marketing
Yukie Aochi
Office
Norie Ide
Sunshine Learning Facilitator(0-2years old)
Rie Kuribayashi
ISN Representative
Paul Harris
Aurora Learning Facilitator(3-5years old)
Access
Campus details and access
News
Little Bodies, Big Discoveries! 2026.10.02
Aurora News! — September 24–October 2 9月24日〜10月2日 2026.10.02
From Plum Picking to Sports Day! 2026.09.25
Aurora News! 9月14日〜18日 2026.09.23
This Week in Aurora — September 7–11 Auroraの今週 — 9月7日〜11日 2026.09.11
Making, Moving, and Practicing Together! 2026.09.11
Day to day
Visit Us
Come and see what a day here actually looks like
No brochure explains us as well as seeing the children spend a day in English.
Individual visits are available throughout the year (by appointment).