Kizuna Yūkai Social Welfare Corporation Conducts 2nd Inappropriate Care Prevention & Mental Health Training at Nozomi Hoikuen

Kizuna Yūkai Social Welfare Corporation served as the instructor for the '2nd Inappropriate Care Prevention and Mental Health Training' held on Thursday, June 4, 2026, at Nozomi Hoikuen in Higashiyamato City, Tokyo.

Following the previous session, participants included not only the staff of Nozomi Hoikuen but also childcare professionals from the local community.

Additionally, some individuals joined from outside organizations after reading about the previous training session. What began as an in-house training is gradually expanding into a cross-institutional learning opportunity where childcare workers from different facilities come together to share knowledge.

This session emphasized interactive learning, incorporating extensive group discussions and opinion exchanges alongside lectures. External participants were grouped together with Nozomi Hoikuen teachers, allowing for open and honest conversations about daily childcare practices. At the beginning of the training, a brief icebreaker activity helped ease initial tension, and participants gradually began exchanging ideas with smiles.

The instructor, Ms. Shinsho, delivered a humorous and engaging lecture that lightened the atmosphere and naturally brought smiles to the attendees. The training maintained a warm, positive, and serious learning environment throughout.

During the icebreaker, participants played a game building towers from available objects. Through group discussion and collaboration, teams competed to build the tallest structure. The teachers were highly energized from the very start of the session.

About Nozomi Hoikuen

Located in Higashiyamato City, Tokyo, Nozomi Hoikuen was originally established in May 1974 as Temari Hoikuen, and has long supported the growth of children in the local community.

In February 2015, it was renamed Nozomi Hoikuen, and in April of the same year, opened a branch facility, 'Clover.' With over 50 years of history, the nursery has walked alongside countless children, families, and the local community.

Guided by the philosophy of 'Coexistence, Co-education, and Co-prosperity,' the nursery values an environment where each child’s individuality is respected and they can grow with a sense of security. Through mixed-age childcare, diverse experiential activities, seasonally inspired homemade meals, and specialized instructor-led programs, Nozomi Hoikuen supports the healthy physical and emotional development of children.

Furthermore, to continuously improve the quality of daily childcare, Nozomi Hoikuen actively participates in training such as the 'Inappropriate Care Prevention and Mental Health Training.' The staff deepen their understanding of child rights-based interactions and the creation of safe, secure childcare environments, while also focusing on the mental well-being of caregivers. They are committed to building a workplace where every staff member can work with peace of mind.

Through sustained learning, the nursery aims to be a place of safety for children, a trusted facility for parents, and a supportive, growth-oriented workplace for childcare professionals.

Training Overview

The second session focused on the theme 'High-Quality Childcare Environments and Brain Rest Strategies,' deepening understanding from both inappropriate care prevention and mental health perspectives.

In the inappropriate care prevention segment, the focus was on 'Environment and Daily Habits.' The training emphasized how daily childcare environments—beyond verbal interactions—influence the safety and well-being of both children and caregivers. Topics included classroom layout, traffic flow, ease of tidying, and blind spots.

The training introduced the concept of the environment as the 'third caregiver,' highlighting that reducing the need to reprimand children requires not only verbal guidance but also designing spaces where children can naturally remain calm.

For example, classrooms with many hard-to-see areas can increase caregivers’ anxiety and stress. Narrow corridors or difficult-to-organize layouts may lead to conflicts among children and increased caregiver stress. Revisiting these physical factors helps protect not only children but also the staff themselves.

Designing Environments to Reduce the Need for Reprimands

The training encouraged participants to consider environmental causes before repeatedly saying 'Don’t run!'

Participants reflected on daily practices: Is the layout conducive to running? Are play and movement areas overlapping? Are activity choices limited?

The key takeaway was that rather than controlling children through words, caregivers should shape the environment to allow children to function comfortably. Small adjustments—such as rearranging furniture, separating play zones, or creating calming spaces—can enhance children’s sense of security and reduce caregiver stress.

The training also reviewed daily routines such as meals, toileting, and nap time, emphasizing respectful, dignity-preserving interactions.

During meals, the goal is not necessarily 'finishing all food,' but respecting each child’s individual pace. During toileting, staff should avoid blaming children for accidents or causing embarrassment in front of peers. For nap time, rather than forcing sleep, the focus should be on providing 'rest time' with individualized consideration.

This session was discussion-based, and various opinions emerged within the groups.

Group Work: Identifying Near-Miss Hazards in the Classroom

The training allocated significant time for discussion.

A particularly impactful activity was the group discussion on 'Near-Miss Hazard Maps' in classrooms. Participants were divided into groups and asked to recall their own classrooms, identifying areas with blind spots, frequent conflicts, or high child contact.

They then discussed, based on their field experiences, 'Why do conflicts occur in these areas?' and 'How can environmental changes prevent them?'

By grouping Nozomi Hoikuen teachers with external participants, the session enabled the sharing of site-specific strategies and common challenges in daily childcare. This cross-facility exchange offered fresh perspectives that might not emerge within a single nursery, creating a valuable peer-learning experience.

Despite time constraints, the session served as a meaningful opportunity to reevaluate classroom environments through collaborative, inter-institutional dialogue.

Mental Health Training

Understanding Brain Rest and Perfectionism

The second half of the training focused on 'Brain Rest and Perfectionism,' addressing self-care strategies to protect caregivers’ mental and physical health.

Childcare work involves juggling multiple responsibilities—child safety checks, parent communication, staff coordination, documentation, event planning—often simultaneously. As a result, even when physically resting, caregivers may continue mentally processing work tasks, making it difficult to fully recover from fatigue.

The training described this state as 'the brain not truly resting' and emphasized the importance of consciously disengaging from work-related thoughts.

Participants also practiced progressive muscle relaxation—a technique involving tensing muscles and then suddenly releasing them to help the brain recognize a 'relaxed state.' While full breaks are hard to secure in busy childcare settings, the training suggested that even brief moments—such as during a restroom break—can be used for deep breathing or muscle relaxation to support brain recovery.