International Pre-School in Tsukuba

The OWIS Tsukuba Early Childhood Education (International Preschool) is an international preschool education programme designed for children aged 3 to 5 years.

Programme Structure:

EC2 Class: For children aged 3–4 (equivalent to Preschool / Pre-K)

EC1 Class: For children aged 4–5 (equivalent to Reception / Nursery)

At OWIS, we adopt an inquiry-based curriculum that emphasises learning through role play, real-life experiences, and play-based activities. Our qualified and experienced teachers support each child’s social, emotional, and confidence development, while providing the ideal preparation for entry into the OWIS Primary School.

The OWIS Early Childhood Programme (Preschool) offers unique features designed to provide an international education from the very beginning:

Language Environment

• Full-day English immersion (8 hours per day)
• Provides the optimal environment for English acquisition during the critical early years
• In comparison, Japanese kindergartens and nurseries primarily use Japanese for daily activities

Educational Approach

• International, inquiry-based learning
• Small class sizes: fewer than 16 students per class, allowing for personalised attention
• In contrast, Japanese facilities often focus on group-based childcare approaches

School Readiness

• Priority admission to OWIS Primary School
• Early adaptation to an international learning environment
• Eligible for government subsidies (up to JPY 37,000 per month)

OWIS Tsukuba Preschool is designed for children aged 3 to 5 years.

Class Structure by Age:

EC2 (Early Childhood 2): For children aged 3–4

EC1 (Early Childhood 1): For children aged 4–5

Key Points about Preschool Admission:

Priority admission to the OWIS Primary School

Ensures a smooth progression, as Primary is one of the most in-demand entry points

Age placement follows the international preschool system

The same preschool curriculum structure is implemented across all OWIS campuses worldwide

Early childhood is a crucial stage for language development. At OWIS Preschool, children build the foundation for lifelong learning and growth in a fun and engaging environment.

At OWIS Tsukuba, we provide high-quality preschool education at a reasonable cost.

Tuition & Fees (per term):

Tuition: JPY 458,640 (before discounts)

Facility fee: JPY 32,760

Total per term: JPY 491,400 (tuition + facility fee)

Since the school year consists of three terms, the annual total is JPY 1,474,200.

Other Fees:

Learning materials & excursion fee: JPY 50,000 per year (non-refundable)

Application fee (one-time, upon enrollment): JPY 80,000 (non-refundable)

For more details, please see the [OWIS Tsukuba tuition page].

If you have any questions, feel free to contact us via the [inquiry form].

Yes, absolutely! Many children join the OWIS Early Childhood Programme (Preschool) with no prior experience in English and make remarkable progress.

OWIS Support System:

• Full-day (8 hours) English immersion environment for natural language acquisition
• Individualised learning guided by qualified teachers
• Fun, play-based approach to learning English
• Foundational English activities that prepare children for a smooth transition into OWIS Primary School

Features of the OWIS Preschool Learning Environment:

• Small class sizes (16 students or fewer) for personalised attention
• A safe, joyful, and engaging setting where children can focus on learning
• Daily health monitoring to ensure well-being
  
• Teachers trained to nurture kindness and empathy

Early childhood is the most effective stage for language development. With the expert guidance of the OWIS Preschool, your child will gain the confidence to communicate naturally in English.

Yes, we welcome campus visits at any time! This is a wonderful opportunity to experience our learning environment firsthand.

What you can expect during a visit:

Tour of our spacious classrooms and well-equipped learning resources

Exploration of our natural outdoor areas, including the garden, sandbox, and pond

Conversations with our IB-certified teachers

Observation of an actual preschool class following our inquiry-based curriculum

From our parents:

“The teachers are always warm, friendly, and respectful of our family’s values. Our children truly enjoy their teaching style.”
– Jeremy Carlson, Parent of Preschool & Primary School students

How to book a Preschool visit:

Please complete the registration form on our [School Tour page].

A member of our team will contact you within one business day.

Preschool (kindergarten and nursery) children at our school may also use the school bus service. However, please note that child seats are not available on the bus, and we ask for your understanding when using this service.