Bringing "Colorful Individuality" to Childcare Settings: Social Welfare Corporation Lemonkai Formulates "Dress Code Guidelines" Balancing Diversity and Professionalism for Childcare Workers

Social Welfare Corporation Lemonkai (Headquarters: Kinokawa City, Wakayama, hereinafter Lemonkai), which operates childcare facilities such as "Raymond Hoikuen," has formulated "Dress Code Guidelines" for childcare workers and will proceed with relaxing rules regarding hair color and accessories. This is a new guideline that values the coexistence of childcare workers' "individuality" and "professionalism," created through approximately one year of discussion by about 80 facility managers and the corporate headquarters.

◾️Background to Reviewing the Approach to "Dress Code"

While the general image of childcare workers used to be "aprons and tracksuits," Lemonkai has aimed for an appearance that is not bound by such an image for about 15 years.

In recent years, however, values that respect diversity have spread throughout society, and it is not uncommon to see people working professionally while expressing their own individuality.

Lemonkai has also set certain standards for childcare workers' "dress code" from a safety and hygiene perspective. However, given this social background and the commitment to "childcare that values each child's individuality," we felt it was necessary to review the approach to childcare workers' appearance.

We aim to respect the diversity of children and foster their ability to collaborate with people who hold diverse values. To achieve this, we believe that childcare workers, as familiar adults, demonstrating their individuality in their work becomes part of a living educational environment that conveys "respect for individuality" to children.

These guidelines were formulated based on such ideas, through continuous dialogue with the field.

◾️Guideline Philosophy and Changes

These guidelines are not uniform restrictions like before, but rather a guide for childcare workers to think and discuss for themselves. The aim is for teams to mutually improve and strive for facilities that are more trusted than ever before.

Specific Changes

We will allow flexible and diverse expressions regarding hair color, hairstyles, and some accessories (e.g., pedicures), premised on risk management and internal dialogue within the facility.

Points to Value

In reviewing this, we will thoroughly implement the following operations to ensure that safety, trust, and cleanliness are not compromised.

• Prioritizing Safety and Hygiene:

  Restrictions on wearing accessories that cause injury or accidental ingestion (e.g., piercings, nail polish), clothing that compromises hygiene, and garments with strong scents will continue as before.

• Professional Awareness:

  While allowing flexible expressions, we will prioritize securing trust and cleanliness, always considering the professionalism of childcare first.

• Fostering a Feedback Culture:

  We will promote the creation of a culture where teams, including facility managers, mutually confirm whether they meet "safety, security, trust, and cleanliness" and provide feedback to each other.

Please note that since these guidelines will be implemented while valuing dialogue at each facility, the start date of changes will vary by facility. We will proceed in a manageable manner according to the on-site situation.