Fourth Round of "Sukuwaku Navigator Gardens," Core of Mutual Learning for the "Tokyo Sukuwaku Program," Decided
The Tokyo Metropolitan Government has announced the fourth round of "Sukuwaku Navigator Gardens" for its "Tokyo Sukuwaku Program." These gardens act as central hubs for mutual learning among participating facilities. Following the addition of 77 gardens, this fourth round adds another 29, which will begin their activities today. The program, developed with the University of Tokyo, is now active in about 3,300 kindergartens and nursery schools.
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- 📰 Published: March 28, 2026 at 17:27
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The Tokyo Metropolitan Government, in partnership with the Center for Early Childhood Development, Education, and Policy Research (CEDEP) at the University of Tokyo, established the "Tokyo Sukuwaku Program" in March 2024 to support the growth and development of young children across facility types like kindergartens and nursery schools, and is expanding it throughout the city.
The Sukuwaku Program began its full rollout in fiscal year 2024, with 1,591 facilities participating. This fiscal year, approximately 3,300 gardens are implementing the program.
To further enhance the quality of the program's activities, recruitment for "Sukuwaku Navigator Gardens," which serve as the core for mutual learning among participating gardens, began in October 2025. So far, 77 gardens have been designated, and with this fourth round, 29 more have been added. Their activities will commence today.
Recruitment for "Sukuwaku Navigator Gardens" is scheduled to continue next fiscal year. Details will be announced as they are decided.
1. Sukuwaku Navigator Gardens
(1) Purpose:
- To be positioned as the core of a mutual learning network among gardens implementing the Sukuwaku program.
- To improve the quality of initiatives by having participating gardens learn from one another.
Voices from childcare staff at participating gardens:
● "I want to learn about case studies of inquiry-based activities and see the creative ideas from other gardens."
● "I'd like to know if there's a place to discuss concerns and get advice."
(2) Activities of Sukuwaku Navigator Gardens:
- Accepting visits from other participating gardens.
- Introducing their initiatives and offering advice to other gardens, etc.
2. List of the Fourth Round of Navigator Gardens
The Sukuwaku Program began its full rollout in fiscal year 2024, with 1,591 facilities participating. This fiscal year, approximately 3,300 gardens are implementing the program.
To further enhance the quality of the program's activities, recruitment for "Sukuwaku Navigator Gardens," which serve as the core for mutual learning among participating gardens, began in October 2025. So far, 77 gardens have been designated, and with this fourth round, 29 more have been added. Their activities will commence today.
Recruitment for "Sukuwaku Navigator Gardens" is scheduled to continue next fiscal year. Details will be announced as they are decided.
1. Sukuwaku Navigator Gardens
(1) Purpose:
- To be positioned as the core of a mutual learning network among gardens implementing the Sukuwaku program.
- To improve the quality of initiatives by having participating gardens learn from one another.
Voices from childcare staff at participating gardens:
● "I want to learn about case studies of inquiry-based activities and see the creative ideas from other gardens."
● "I'd like to know if there's a place to discuss concerns and get advice."
(2) Activities of Sukuwaku Navigator Gardens:
- Accepting visits from other participating gardens.
- Introducing their initiatives and offering advice to other gardens, etc.
2. List of the Fourth Round of Navigator Gardens