Is there a group for parents on base who send their children to Seika?  I would be interested in meeting other parents who send their children there to learn about the cultural events and what to expect throughout the year.  I have also heard that it is possible to purchase uniforms second hand (since the children grow so fast).  I would be interested in how to do this.

Hey stuck_on_shore, did you ever get any responses to your post? We've been here for a few months now and we were interested in knowing more about Seika for our toddler. There don't seem to be a lot of posts about what people think about the school! If you wouldn't mind sharing what you've learned, I would appreciate it!

There is a group on facebook.
http://www.facebook.com/groups/120780024624280/?ref=ts

Hello. Our daughter is there. She loves it and actually thanks me almost weekly for putting her there. I think the FB group is moderated and your child needs to be going there to join (but I could be wrong). You might try going and checking to see if anyone you know is on the board. It is a really helpful board because most of us are clueless about the notes they send home, proper procedures, and other random things. The FB page is a great way for us to get answers immediately from other parents.

I can share anything you would like to know. Here are a few things. They are arts, music, dance, and PE based. They do not teach the children to read or write in Japanese. However, my daughter has already learned enough Japanese at 3 years old to converse with her teachers and entertain people at modeling shoots. Lots of songs, dances, and games. She never had any problem with a language barrier and has met so many friends, mostly from the base. Sending her to Seika has also been a great way for me to meet parents and make friends on base. Our daughter is a very picky eater, but she loves the Japanese foods. The school is very understanding of her food allergies. The teachers are extremely supportive and loving. Right after her brother was born her teachers reported that she wanted to be held and hugged all of the time. They did this for her. We were a little shocked. But every time we visit the school she jumps into their arms and they hug her. At least in the Pony class, the environment is very nurturing and less structured than a formal school. We are just starting in the Sweet Pea class this week, but she says she already likes her teachers. I know in the older classes, starting at 4 years old, the students play a melodeon. There are also extra-curricular opportunities for piano lessons, art classes in oils and watercolor, sports, and Taiko drums.

Hope this helps. Let me know if you have more specific questions.

It might also help parents to know that in the Pony class (for 2 and 3 year olds) there is the option of going 3, 4, or 5 days a week. You can ease your child into the school. You can add more days later or reduce the number of days if that is necessary. You also get to chose the days of the week you send your child. The classes for 3 years and up are all 5 days a week.

Thank you for your responses! We went ahead and enrolled him, but they wouldn't let him in the Sweat Pea class because he turned 3 two days after the cut off date. I'm ok with him starting in the Pony class, but I may try to have him moved up in 6 months or so since he usually plays with kids who are a little bit older than him versus younger.
Can anyone tell me what the main difference between the Pony and the Sweet Pea class is? If it's just the ages of the students then I definitely would like to move him up.
Thanks again!

The facebook page looks like it will be very helpful!!  

MadHanster - I am not sure what the exact difference is. I know they get scissors and paint in Sweat Pea. They also have additional responsibilities (from what I understand). Like setting the table for lunch and helping the teachers serve. There are children in the Pony class who are older - some parents leave their children in pony even when they qualify for sweet pea because of them only having to go a few days a week or because they are moving and do not want to pay the additional entrance fee for the older class. I know of at least three children whose parents chose to enroll them in Pony when they were eligible for Sweet Pea.

Hello!
We will be moving to Yokosuka this Dec if not sooner with a 6 &4 year old. Do you need a sponsor or translator for the school?
I will need to be patient and until we get there to look at all the school options.
Thank you.

navyca- Seika has a teacher's aide who speaks English! She is the person who usually gives the tour of the school and will give the information about enrollment, classes, tuition etc. The fact that there is someone who I can talk to and ask questions without having a sponsor was one of the main reasons we chose to send our daughter to Seika over other schools. Seika is very flexible with enrollment and students can start throughout the year. Good luck on preparations for your upcoming move!!

Thank you Cal123 for the quick response appreciate it!

I, too, would like to inquire more about Seika. We will be arriving in Japan in a couple of weeks. And I am hoping to send my twin toddlers 2-3 times a week( eventually full time once I've acquired employment in Japan). Do they follow some sort of school year for their preschool program or can they be admitted anytime of the year? Also how much are the uniforms?

Seika does follow the Japanese school schedule - April through May. I don't have the exact dates in front of me - but they take a 5-6 week beak from about July 19th-Sept 3rd. Then another break from about Dec 20-Jan 10th. Then the break between school years is from about March 20-April 11th. Essentially they go year round, but with lots of half days and Japanese holidays in addition to the above mentioned longer breaks.

When you get here - give Ms. Yuko a call. We also arrived in May, but I waited until June to contact them. Because you pay every month year-round, we chose to start in Sept rather than have a few days in July and pay for August when our daughter would not attend.

I don't remember the exact cost of the uniforms. I think we spent about $350 for a complete first set of uniforms and one extra long sleeve shirt. They are well made uniforms and our daughter will probably be in the same set her entire time here - Yuko advised us to buy large and that was great. All of the smaller kids roll their sleeves and are growing into the clothes rather than out of them.

There are lots of Seika moms on here - feel free to ask questions if you have more.

In Seika, do they teach in English or Japanese. If my child does not know Japanese and if they teach in Japanese, how will he learn anything there? I am interested in putting my son in this school, I am just curious though if he will learn anything if all he knows is English.

Seika is a preschool. There they teach general manners, how to behave in a group environment, respect, music, and art. You do not really need to know how to speak Japanese to learn those things. It is not a school where they go to learn academics. That kind of stuff is taught at home at this young age. My son attends Seika and does not speak any Japanese and he has a great time and learns social skills. I taught him his ABCs and how to count at home before he turned 3.

Hello I a, interesting in getting information about Seika school. My daughter is 2 years and as everybody knows the waitling list on the CDC is too long. Anyone knows the fees for this kindergarten? Thanks you

Melli - Fees will depend on how many days a week your daughter attends. Four days a week is somewhere around 28,000Y, if I remember correctly. Seika does accept children as young as two, but I think it might be 2 1/2 and potty trained (not sure which end of 2 you are on). There is also a great daycare program run at the school called cuties. Lots of parents use it as a drop off service, but it also runs as a full time option for younger children. I do not remember the fees for cuties, but I do remember thinking they were much less than the CDC rates.

Thanks for the info where is the cuties located? She is not potty trained yet but I want her to keep involved with kids playing ans everything, I do not want her to be at the house, you know at least she can o part time... Where is cuties located? Is there a phone number?

Cuties is the nursery room at Seika. They allow children 3 months and up.

Thank you so much, do you have a number that I can call to set an appoitnment?

Seika is 046.822.0018.
Yuko-san is the english speaking teacher. If you call on a day when she is not there, they will tell you when to call back or ask for your information.

Thank you so much for all the information provided.