Kumagaya City Child-Rearing Support and Health Hub Facility "Kuma Kids" to Open on Wednesday, April 1, 2026

Starts Corporation (Headquarters: Chuo-ku, Tokyo, Representative Director and President: Toyotaka Muraishi), the lead company in the Kumagaya City PPP project "Kumagaya City Child-Rearing Support and Health Hub Facility Development Project" in Kumagaya City, Saitama Prefecture, along with Kumagaya City and Kumagaya Child-Rearing Support and Health Hub Facility Co., Ltd. *1 (Headquarters: Kumagaya City, Saitama Prefecture, Representative Director: Kazuya Hiraide), which serves as the designated manager, will open the Kumagaya City Child-Rearing Support and Health Hub Facility "Kuma Kids" on Wednesday, April 1, 2026.

This project aims to enhance child-rearing and health-related functions and establish a seamless support system from pregnancy to child-rearing, alongside the reorganization of aging nurseries and health facilities in Kumagaya City. The approximately 27,000㎡ site will house five functions: "Children's Hall," "Ishihara Children's Club," "Chuo Nursery School," "Health Center," and "Holiday/Night Emergency Clinic," consolidating childcare, play, learning, consultation, medical care, and health promotion in one location. It will operate as a new regional hub supporting a safe child-rearing environment and healthy living. (Facility details on next page)

The Starts Group will be involved in the maintenance and operation of this facility for the next 15 years and will manage the project. Through this facility, the group will work together to realize a hub that supports the "various starts" of citizens, such as childbirth and childcare, and continuously fosters the growth of children who will lead the future of Kumagaya.

*1 A special purpose company established by Starts Corporation, Starts CAM Corporation, Starts Facility Service Corporation, Okinaya Co., Ltd., and Comarm Co., Ltd.

■Facility Overview

Project Name: Kumagaya City Child-Rearing Support and Health Hub Facility Development Project

Facility Nickname: Kuma Kids

Location: 3-27 Ishihara, Kumagaya City, Saitama Prefecture

Site Area: Approximately 27,000㎡

Website: https://www.kumakids.org/

Instagram: kuma_kodomokan

Access:

●Approximately 25 minutes walk from JR Kumagaya Station

●Yuyu Bus Naomi-go

　0 minutes walk from "Kuma Kids"

●Approximately 15 minutes walk from Chichibu Railway Kami-Kumagaya Station

●Approximately 5 minutes walk from Asahi Bus "Kishodai Iriguchi"

■Facility Composition

●Children's Hall: A hub supporting play, interaction, and learning for parents and children

This is a child-rearing support facility that can be used by children from infants to elementary and junior high school students, according to their developmental stage. It provides a safe space for parents and children to spend time together, as well as a space where children can engage in activities independently.

Opening hours: 9:00 AM - 6:30 PM, 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Closed: New Year holidays (December 29 to January 3)

●Ishihara Children's Club: After-school care supporting safety and growth after school

This after-school care facility provides a "third place" that is neither home nor school for elementary school students whose parents are not at home during the day due to work or other reasons, during after-school hours and long holidays.

●Chuo Nursery School: A safe childcare environment for children up to school age

This is a large public nursery school with a capacity of 150 children. It provides safe and high-quality childcare for children from 0 years old up to school age.

●Health Center: A health hub supporting individuals from pregnancy to adulthood

This is a comprehensive health hub for citizens, supporting everything from maternal and child health to adult health. It promotes overall community health while providing seamless support during pregnancy, childbirth, and child-rearing.

●Holiday/Night Emergency Clinic: A reliable medical system for sudden illnesses

This facility was established to ensure medical care for emergency patients on holidays and at night. It provides treatment for relatively mild internal and pediatric medical conditions.

Consultation days (holidays): Sundays, public holidays, substitute holidays, December 30 - January 3

Consultation hours (holidays): 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM, 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Consultation days (night): Every day

Consultation hours (night): 7:30 PM - 10:00 PM

●Outdoor Plaza: An outdoor space that can be used for various purposes

Located surrounded by the five functions, various plazas will be provided where people of all generations can relax and enjoy themselves. Play equipment that supports active exercise and play will be installed in a lush green landscape.

■Children's Hall Interior Photos

■Key Points of this Project

Point 1: The nickname "Kuma Kids" embodies the wishes of Kumagaya citizens

The facility's nickname was selected from a total of 8,123 proposals, mainly from elementary and junior high school students in Kumagaya City. It expresses the wish for children (kids) in Kumagaya to spend their time happily and healthily, and to grow up strong.

Point 2: "Inheritance of memory and creation of space" at the former Sericulture Experiment Station site

To inherit the history of the "Sericulture Experiment Station" that once stood on this site, a layout plan was adopted that maximizes the preservation of existing trees. In addition, the exterior design evokes the original landscape of Kumagaya, which developed as a post town on the Nakasendo road, and by arranging the buildings around a central plaza, it creates diverse communication opportunities among visitors.

Point 3: "Comprehensive support" through the collaboration of five functions

Five functions are consolidated in one place: from the "Children's Hall" with play areas and consultation services, to the "Chuo Nursery School" with a capacity of 150 children, and the "Holiday/Night Emergency Clinic" which provides initial medical care. By fostering a regional child-rearing network through the collaboration of child-rearing support and health departments within a single site, detailed support becomes possible.

■Project-Related Companies