HOIKU Inc. Launches Nationwide Implementation Support Program for 'Fujimori Method / Mimamoru Hoiku' to Foster Children's Independence
HOIKU Inc. has begun the nationwide rollout of its implementation support program for the 'Fujimori Method / Mimamoru Hoiku' for childcare facilities. Over a period of 4 to 6 months, the program provides hands-on support in environmental design and staff interaction to foster children's independence, aiming to improve the quality of early childhood education and organizational unity.
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- 📰 Published: May 19, 2026 at 19:00
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HOIKU Inc. (Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; CEO: Yuta Mizuno) is launching a full-scale nationwide rollout of an implementation support program based on the philosophy of the "Fujimori Method / Mimamoru Hoiku (Watchful Childcare)." The program aims to support quality improvement and organizational development in kindergartens and certified childcare centers.
This program provides hands-on support for about 4 to 6 months to facilities aiming to create an environment where children can choose, think, and grow together through play and daily life. Going beyond one-time training sessions, the program supports the design of the environment, staff interaction methods, and internal dialogue, all based on the current situation and challenges of the facility.
The Perspective of "How Children Grow" in an Era of Declining Birthrates
As the birthrate declines, parents' criteria for choosing a childcare facility are expanding from simply "is it easy to drop off my child?" to "what kind of environment will my child spend time in and how will they grow?"
Meanwhile, the childcare sector continues to face labor shortages and increasing workloads. Even if staff wish to interact attentively with each child, they are often overwhelmed by daily tasks, leading to exhaustion.
Under these circumstances, it is crucial to rethink the approach to childcare from "adults directing and moving children" to "preparing an environment where children can move independently."
"Mimamoru Hoiku" Does Not Mean Doing Nothing
The term "Mimamoru Hoiku" (Watchful Childcare) is sometimes misunderstood as "childcare where nothing is done" or "leaving everything to the children."
However, "watching" in this context does not mean neglect. It signifies professional interaction that carefully observes a child's development and interests, providing the necessary environment and assistance at the right timing so the child can play, think, and interact independently.
Instead of adults anticipating and giving instructions, children choose, try, and sometimes learn through failure. Accumulating such experiences leads to the development of non-cognitive skills like independence, sociability, and perseverance. To achieve this, an environment that naturally encourages children to act is essential, in addition to the perspectives and prompts of childcare workers.
Implementation Support Emphasizes Practice over Theory
Merely establishing childcare policies and philosophies does not embed them in the workplace. It is necessary to specify how staff observe children, arrange the environment, and interact with them in daily childcare.
In this program, improvements are made in a practical manner after reviewing each facility's physical environment, staffing structure, and current challenges. For example, support directly linked to daily childcare is provided, such as rethinking activity zones so children can easily choose their play, organizing movement pathways, and rearranging play equipment and educational materials.
Furthermore, staff share the perspective of "what to prepare so children can act independently" rather than "how to make children move," practically confirming interactions tailored to children's development and interests.
Changes Seen in Adopting Facilities and Voices of Directors
In facilities that have adopted the program, there is a movement among staff to rethink the environment based on children's behavior and gradually change daily childcare practices.
At Soai-kan (Maebashi City, Gunma Prefecture), one of the adopting facilities, improvements in movement pathways and environmental design are being made while observing the children's situations.
"Staff are thinking and discussing among themselves, changing movement pathways and environmental layouts while observing the children's situations." (Director Tate, Soai-kan)
Similarly, at SuruSu Joyo Kodomo-en (Maebashi City, Gunma Prefecture), while valuing childcare that "stays close to the child," the challenge was that children relied too much on staff, leaving staff overwhelmed with requests.
After implementation, the staff's perspective shifted from "prompting children to act" to "how to prepare an environment where children want to move independently." As they realized the importance of environmental design, the educators' mindset gradually shifted toward trusting children's abilities and adopting a watchful stance.
"Staff are now able to think independently about children's development and the environment to utilize it, enhancing a sense of unity as an organization." (Director Kage, SuruSu Joyo Kodomo-en)
Creating Change Across the Entire Facility
Changes in childcare cannot be advanced by only a few staff members. When the direction aimed for by management and directors aligns with the daily realizations of frontline staff, facility-wide practice begins to move.
This program also emphasizes creating dialogue within the facility so that management, directors, and staff can review childcare facing the same direction. By involving external experts, gaps in perception between management and the frontline are organized, laying the foundation for advancing practices across the entire facility.
Program Overview
Name: Fujimori Method (Mimamoru Hoiku) Implementation Support Program
Target: Kindergartens and certified childcare centers nationwide
Primary Audience: Corporate representatives, directors, head teachers, and frontline staff
Support Period: Approximately 4 to 6 months *Customized according to the facility's scale and challenges
This program provides hands-on support for about 4 to 6 months to facilities aiming to create an environment where children can choose, think, and grow together through play and daily life. Going beyond one-time training sessions, the program supports the design of the environment, staff interaction methods, and internal dialogue, all based on the current situation and challenges of the facility.
The Perspective of "How Children Grow" in an Era of Declining Birthrates
As the birthrate declines, parents' criteria for choosing a childcare facility are expanding from simply "is it easy to drop off my child?" to "what kind of environment will my child spend time in and how will they grow?"
Meanwhile, the childcare sector continues to face labor shortages and increasing workloads. Even if staff wish to interact attentively with each child, they are often overwhelmed by daily tasks, leading to exhaustion.
Under these circumstances, it is crucial to rethink the approach to childcare from "adults directing and moving children" to "preparing an environment where children can move independently."
"Mimamoru Hoiku" Does Not Mean Doing Nothing
The term "Mimamoru Hoiku" (Watchful Childcare) is sometimes misunderstood as "childcare where nothing is done" or "leaving everything to the children."
However, "watching" in this context does not mean neglect. It signifies professional interaction that carefully observes a child's development and interests, providing the necessary environment and assistance at the right timing so the child can play, think, and interact independently.
Instead of adults anticipating and giving instructions, children choose, try, and sometimes learn through failure. Accumulating such experiences leads to the development of non-cognitive skills like independence, sociability, and perseverance. To achieve this, an environment that naturally encourages children to act is essential, in addition to the perspectives and prompts of childcare workers.
Implementation Support Emphasizes Practice over Theory
Merely establishing childcare policies and philosophies does not embed them in the workplace. It is necessary to specify how staff observe children, arrange the environment, and interact with them in daily childcare.
In this program, improvements are made in a practical manner after reviewing each facility's physical environment, staffing structure, and current challenges. For example, support directly linked to daily childcare is provided, such as rethinking activity zones so children can easily choose their play, organizing movement pathways, and rearranging play equipment and educational materials.
Furthermore, staff share the perspective of "what to prepare so children can act independently" rather than "how to make children move," practically confirming interactions tailored to children's development and interests.
Changes Seen in Adopting Facilities and Voices of Directors
In facilities that have adopted the program, there is a movement among staff to rethink the environment based on children's behavior and gradually change daily childcare practices.
At Soai-kan (Maebashi City, Gunma Prefecture), one of the adopting facilities, improvements in movement pathways and environmental design are being made while observing the children's situations.
"Staff are thinking and discussing among themselves, changing movement pathways and environmental layouts while observing the children's situations." (Director Tate, Soai-kan)
Similarly, at SuruSu Joyo Kodomo-en (Maebashi City, Gunma Prefecture), while valuing childcare that "stays close to the child," the challenge was that children relied too much on staff, leaving staff overwhelmed with requests.
After implementation, the staff's perspective shifted from "prompting children to act" to "how to prepare an environment where children want to move independently." As they realized the importance of environmental design, the educators' mindset gradually shifted toward trusting children's abilities and adopting a watchful stance.
"Staff are now able to think independently about children's development and the environment to utilize it, enhancing a sense of unity as an organization." (Director Kage, SuruSu Joyo Kodomo-en)
Creating Change Across the Entire Facility
Changes in childcare cannot be advanced by only a few staff members. When the direction aimed for by management and directors aligns with the daily realizations of frontline staff, facility-wide practice begins to move.
This program also emphasizes creating dialogue within the facility so that management, directors, and staff can review childcare facing the same direction. By involving external experts, gaps in perception between management and the frontline are organized, laying the foundation for advancing practices across the entire facility.
Program Overview
Name: Fujimori Method (Mimamoru Hoiku) Implementation Support Program
Target: Kindergartens and certified childcare centers nationwide
Primary Audience: Corporate representatives, directors, head teachers, and frontline staff
Support Period: Approximately 4 to 6 months *Customized according to the facility's scale and challenges
FAQ
How long is the Fujimori Method support program?
The program lasts about 4 to 6 months, providing hands-on support tailored to each facility's size and challenges.
What is 'Mimamoru' childcare?
It is not neglect, but a professional approach to observe children and provide the right environment for independent play.
Who is the target audience for HOIKU Inc.'s program?
Corporate representatives, directors, head teachers, and staff at kindergartens and childcare centers nationwide.