Toward an Era Where Childcare Quality is Determined by 'Director Quality' — Announcement of Briefing Sessions for Childcare Director Certification (Childcare Facility Management Specialist Certification Level 1) and Implementation of 4th and 5th Examinations —

Severe staff shortages, high turnover rates, and increasing social interest in the quality of childcare—what the childcare field needs now are directors with "management skills not solely reliant on field experience."

We are pleased to announce that we will hold briefing sessions for the "Childcare Director Certification (Childcare Facility Management Specialist Certification Level 1)," aimed at improving the operational capabilities of childcare facilities, and have also set the dates for the 4th and 5th certification examinations.

*General Incorporated Association Future Creation Partnership Organization Institute for Childcare Research (Location: Kawasaki City, Kanagawa Prefecture, Representative Director: Kazunori Saito)

Why Childcare Director Certification Now? In previous childcare settings, management primarily relied on "experience" and "intuition." However, today, more advanced and systematic management skills are required, including organizational operation, human resource development, financial management, and risk management.

The Childcare Director Certification aims to systematically visualize and standardize "operational skills truly usable in the field" to address these challenges. It is not merely a knowledge test, but covers practical abilities such as: - Management that leads to staff retention - Building mechanisms for sustainable childcare facility operation - Creating an environment where staff can grow and the facility is chosen

What This Certification Aims For The Childcare Director Certification is not merely about acquiring a qualification. Based on the premise that "if the director changes, the facility changes," it aims to build a social infrastructure that elevates the quality of childcare itself. It's not a qualification that ends once obtained; after acquiring it, participants join a community, receive training, and learn from each other. We will continue to strive for further improvement in childcare quality together with peers who have passed the certification.

Data from the 1st to 3rd Childcare Director Certifications Directors from all over Japan are continuously taking the exam! Here is an overview of the results from the 1st to 3rd Childcare Director Certifications (Childcare Facility Management Specialist Certification Level 1). Over 100 examinees have used the knowledge gained from the certification to actually improve their facility's management.

Childcare Director Certification Examination Dates 4th Examination: June 14, 2026 (Sun) 14:00–16:00 5th Examination: January 17, 2027 (Sun) 14:00–16:00

[Childcare Director Certification Application Form] https://forms.gle/KJVYSXnLU5dVwNuS6

Childcare Director Certification Briefing Session Dates (Online) Targeting directors, aspiring directors, childcare workers, and management, these sessions will explain the significance and content of the certification in detail.

Now is the Time to Act Frankly, postponing due to busyness is the most costly decision. Differences in management capability appear within a few months in "turnover rates" and the "atmosphere of the facility." What is needed to protect the workplace are systems, not just perseverance. As a first step, please consider attending a briefing session.

2026 First Half Briefing Session Dates May 10, 2026 (Sun) 20:00–21:00 May 15, 2026 (Fri) 20:00–21:00 May 26, 2026 (Tue) 17:00–18:00 June 23, 2026 (Tue) 17:00–18:00 July 28, 2026 (Tue) 17:00–18:00 August 25, 2026 (Tue) 15:00–16:00 September 14, 2026 (Mon) 15:00–16:00

*All sessions are held online via Zoom.

[Childcare Director Certification Briefing Session Participation Form] https://forms.gle/JWXXEyW9ze8obJ636

To Media Professionals This initiative contributes not only to improving the quality of childcare but also to strengthening the foundation of child-rearing support in an era of declining birthrates. We would be grateful if you would consider covering or featuring this initiative.

Voice of an Examinee (Childcare Facility Management Specialist Level 1) Suganai Kindergarten Certified Kodomo-en: Director Keiichiro Ano Meiwa Gakuen School Corporation Suganai Kindergarten Certified Kodomo-en (Yamaguchi Prefecture) Director Keiichiro Ano

"My study for the exam preparation course (videos) was mainly done on weekday evenings and weekends, but studying after work was a continuous battle against sleepiness and fatigue. I remember spending the New Year's holiday period right before the exam with a sense of tension and anxiety, as if I had returned to being a university entrance exam student.

In the pre-test I took just before the actual exam, I scored 50 percent. Honestly, I felt disheartened, thinking, 'It might be difficult to pass if things continue like this.' Nevertheless, I roused myself, thinking, 'I've come this far,' and reluctantly faced the main exam.

After the exam, checking my answers against the provided explanations after submission, I found many mistakes and was convinced I had failed. Therefore, when I received the email notification of my pass a few days later, I couldn't believe it immediately. However, as time passed, the realization that 'I really passed' set in, and simultaneously, I began to feel a great sense of responsibility.

What I learned through the Childcare Director Certification Keywords: