‘2026 Shining Childcare Experience’ – Human StarChild Launches Support Project for Future Childcare Workers at All 43 Licensed Nurseries in the Greater Tokyo Area!

Human StarChild Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Yokohama, Kanagawa; President: Yusaku Kawashita), a subsidiary of Human Holdings Co., Ltd. that operates childcare support services, will host the free, full-scale career experience program '2026 Shining Childcare Experience' for elementary and high school students from Monday, August 3, to Monday, August 31, 2026. This eighth edition will be held at all 43 of the company’s licensed nurseries featuring warm wooden architectural designs in Yokohama, Kawasaki, Saitama, and Tokyo.

【Key Points of the Initiative】

First Step Toward Future Dreams: Provides students with hands-on workplace experience to inspire them to pursue careers as childcare workers.

Expanding Career Awareness and Talent Pool: Deepens understanding of the rewarding nature and professionalism of childcare work, broadening career choices and expanding the talent pipeline.

Promoting Community Engagement: Offers local elementary, middle, and high school students opportunities to experience childcare careers, strengthening ties with the local community.

【Social Context Behind the Project】

According to data published by the Children and Families Agency, the effective job vacancy ratio for childcare workers in April 2026 stands at 2.54, more than double the average across all occupations (1.12), indicating an extremely severe labor shortage. In the Greater Tokyo Area—where this program will be held—some nurseries report vacancy ratios exceeding 4 at certain times. While the number of children on waiting lists is declining, securing qualified staff to maintain high-quality childcare remains a major social challenge.

Human StarChild aims to contribute to solving this social issue by raising awareness of the value of childcare work and increasing the number of children aspiring to become childcare professionals. Through this initiative, local children will experience the childcare environment firsthand, deepening their understanding of the profession. At the same time, the children’s visits will provide on-site childcare workers with renewed recognition of their work’s significance, contributing to the overall development of the childcare industry.

(Source: Children and Families Agency “Trends in Effective Job Openings Ratio for Childcare Workers”; Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare “Job Placement Statistics,” April 2026)

【Unique Features of the Project】

Unlike small-scale career experiences conducted by individual nurseries, this program is a large-scale initiative simultaneously held at all 43 licensed childcare centers in the Greater Tokyo Area. By limiting participation to approximately two students per nursery per day, the program ensures a high-density, immersive experience. The biggest highlight is that participants wear original aprons matching those of actual childcare workers and experience real on-site tasks, such as putting children to sleep.

What is the 'Shining Childcare Experience'?

The 'Shining Childcare Experience' is a full-scale childcare experience program for students from 4th grade elementary to 2nd year high school. Participants wear the same original aprons as childcare workers and experience core activities such as water play, indoor play, helping children change clothes, reading picture books, and putting children to sleep during nap time. Participants will also have the opportunity to eat lunch together with the children. (Note: Participants with allergies are asked to bring their own packed lunch, as meals cannot be provided.)

Program Overview: 'Support Project for Future Childcare Workers – 2026 Shining Childcare Experience'

Period: Weekdays (Monday to Friday) from August 3 (Mon) to August 31 (Mon), 2026

Time: 9:00–13:00 (including orientation)

Target: Students from 4th grade elementary to 2nd year high school

Location: 43 licensed childcare centers operated by Human StarChild

Daily Schedule (Tentative):

Time

Activity

Details

9:00–9:20

Orientation

Facility tour, etc.

9:20–11:30

Morning Activities

Water play, outdoor play, walks, craft activities, gymnastics, etc. (varies by nursery)

11:30–12:30

Lunch

Picture book reading, lunch, etc.

12:30–13:00

Nap Time

Helping children change clothes, picture book reading, putting children to sleep, etc.

Capacity: Approximately 2 participants per nursery per day

Fee: Free (Note: Each participant may attend only once during the period)

Benefits: Loan of original apron, commemorative photo in childcare worker attire

How to Apply: Please complete the application form below and contact your preferred nursery via fax or phone.

Application Form:

https://www.starchild.jp/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/64e1239de87256e945926b8fa7b16c9b.pdf

About Human StarChild

Since opening 'StarChild Eda Nursery' in Aoba Ward, Yokohama City in 2004, Human StarChild has operated 43 licensed nurseries under the 'StarChild' brand, featuring warm wooden designs, carefully sourced ingredients for meals, and diverse programs such as gymnastics and English. Leveraging the educational expertise of Human Academy, the company emphasizes childcare worker training and research to deliver high-quality childcare services.

Additionally, the company manages 11 workplace nurseries, entered the after-school childcare business in 2024, and currently operates 7 after-school clubs in Tokyo and Yokohama.

Furthermore, starting in May 2025, the company has expanded into child development support and after-school daycare services, operating four facilities in Yokohama and Kawasaki to support the independence and growth of children requiring special support, working closely with local communities to promote childcare support.

The company is also expanding overseas into Indonesia, providing childcare services based on Japanese childcare expertise.

● Human StarChild Website: https://www.starchild.jp/

About the Human Group

Since its founding in 1985, the Human Group has upheld the philosophy of 'For the World, For the People (Isei Ijin),' expanding into diverse fields centered on education, including human resources, nursing care, childcare, IT, beauty, and sports.

In response to the serious social challenge of 'declining labor population,' the group is advancing solutions in four areas by leveraging the expertise of each business: 'utilizing overseas talent' and 'specialized education and labor mobility in growing industries' through education and human resources; 'securing domestic workforce' through nursing care (day services, home visits, hospice) and childcare/after-school operations; and 'improving productivity' through RPA, AI, and IT consulting. The group is committed to contributing to the SDGs, aiming to realize a society where everyone can live, learn, and work authentically, and to innovate labor environments suited to the times.

● Human Holdings Website: https://www.athuman.com/

Human StarChild Co., Ltd. Company Overview

● Representative: President Yusaku Kawashita

● Address: 5F, Dai 6 Yasuda Building, 3-29-1 Tsuruyamachi, Kanagawa-ku, Yokohama-shi, Kanagawa

● Established: June 1994

● Capital: 90 million yen

● URL: https://www.starchild.jp/

Human Academy Co., Ltd. Company Overview

● Representative: President Tomonobu Tanaka

● Address: 1F, Nishi-Shinjuku Prime Square, 7-5-25 Nishi-Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo

● Established: April 2010

● Capital: 10 million yen

● URL: https://manabu.athuman.com/