NPO Niiza Childcare Support Network
Outline of Group Name: Specified Nonprofit Organization Niiza Childcare Support Network
Establishment: Dec. 1, 2003 (Sept. 9, 1999)
Membership: 60
Office Staff: 10
Activities:

Established in September 1999 as a network under the leadership of mothers who are or have been involved in childcare. The purpose of the network was to form an alliance with other families who were involved in parenting, to provide parenting information support, to provide information about local government resources, specialized agencies and childcare experts. Officially was qualified as an NPO in December 2003.

To provide opportunities for promoting positive relationships among parents who are responsible for childcare, consultations for new parents, as well as a childcare salon in the community center or children’s center; sports events, festivals and the support for parenting clubs, including publications of childcare news and the local childcare internet news.

To dispatch instructors to neighboring cities to help with the publication of their local childcare news.

Started a decentralized type of drop-in-center service in the spring of 2004 in response to the public notice for entrusting the management of RUUEN, the public childcare support center, and SESAME the childcare support service attached to the children’s center.

With collaboration from corporations, administration and local universities, opened “IT Course with nursery service” and “IT Club”, both for mothers who were unable to catch up with the IT society.

Acted as the head of the national liaison conference of drop-in-centers.

Past Results:

From fiscal 2000-2003, put into effect “Supporting Services Project for Childcare Network” by the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology.

Since 2000, an annual education course for supporters providing parenting information has been held in cooperation with Niiza City.

In fiscal 2002-2003, the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology’s “Supporting Program for Joint Participation in Lifelong Study for Men and Women” was put into effect.

In 2003, we were entrusted with membership into the “Committee of Niiza City for Action Program” in order to contribute to the building of future generations.

In August 2003, the “IT Course for Mothers in the Middle of Parenting” was held in collaboration with NEC and Niiza City.

In fiscal 2003-2004, we were funded by the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology and have participated in the investigation of scientific research; studied the case of the childcare support system in Canada.

Since 2004, we have been entrusted with the management of the local childcare support center at Sakae Municipal Nursery School and the childcare mini support center at Children’s Center.

In 2004, we were entrusted with membership to the “Committee of Saitama Prefecture for Action Program” to assist with the parenting education for the next generation.

Established a relationship with a Canadian NPO (FII-ON) and have developed a Japanese version of “The Daddy Project”.  Preparations are underway to launch this course and present it at various companies in Japan.

In (Jan.) 2007, our organization was given the highest Nikkei Shimbun award for best promoting parenting skills.

In (Feb.) 2007, received the Saitama Prefecture Dr. Ogino award given to the organization or individual who contributes to the betterment of women’s lives.


Kosodate Salon

Kosodate Salon was formed because mother's had requested a place where they could talk about problems and concerns about child rearing. In this salon, you can relax, enjoy chatting and take a break from watching over your child since Kosodate Supporters provide a non-critical environment while gently offering advice, as required.

Kosodate salon opens once a month at four places in Niiza.

*at Hatanaka Community Center
  10:00 am to 11:30 am,
   1st Monday every month

*at Nishibori Shinbori Community
   Center

  10:00 am to 11:30 am,
   2nd Wednesday every month

*at Niiza Life Long Learning Center
                (Hot Plaza)

   10:30 am to 11:30 am,
   3rd Tuesday every month

*at Chuo Community Center

   10:00 am to 11:30 am,
   4th Thursday every month

*No reservations are required.  
Babies, infants including preschool
children and their guardians are
accepted. There are no program
fees.

Step Salon
for children of around 2 years old and their guardians

* at Hatanaka Community Center
 10:00 am to 11:30 am, 3rd Monday every month 
*No reservations are required.


Baby Salon
for babies who haven’t begun to walk yet and their guardians

* at Nishibori Shinbori Community Center
 10:00 am to 11:30 am, 4th Wednesday every month *No reservations are required.


Heart Time for Mothers

It is quite usual to be nervous or uneasy when you take care of a child. In this class, we provide a place for exhausted mothers to rest. Why don't you have a good time with other mothers and specialists while your child is cared for in another room by trained staff?

* at Kanko Plaza,
  10:00 am to 11:45 am, once a month.

*Reservations are required.


Magazine & Newsletter

All information is covered by “Kosodate Johoshi” published once a year and by “Network Tsushin” published two times a year. In these publications, you'll find various reports and articles which are useful to child rearing in addition to event information. Volunteer Kosodate Supporters edit Network Tsushin. 

Childcare Supporter always stands by you
All our services are supported by volunteer mothers called Childcare Supporters. Although Supporters are mainly mothers who have grown children, qualified persons and specialists can also be a part of this group. They're registered members of the network in principle.
If you would like to contact to us, feel free to send us e-mail!