- Below is the content from the press release--
(HQ: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; CEO: Yasuyuki Toki; hereafter "Unifa"), which uses technology to solve social issues related to childcare and child rearing, has developed the childcare support service "Lukumi", which is a new training community for learning with highly specialised instructors, including Professor Emeritus Toshiyuki Shiomi of the University of Tokyo. The school will accompany childcare providers in realising better childcare by enabling them to experience the joy and satisfaction of childcare.
Through the provision of new products and training services, Lukumi will continue to evolve as a comprehensive ICT/training service that contributes to the enhancement of added value in the childcare industry.
"About the Lukumi Mirai Childcare School
Background to the opening of the school
UNIFA HAS BEEN PROMOTING THE USE OF TECHNOLOGY TO REDUCE THE WORKLOAD OF CHILDCARE FACILITIES AND IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF CHILDCARE WHILE PROMOTING THE CONCEPT OF "SMART NURSERY SCHOOLS, SMART KINDERGARTENS, AND SMART CHILDREN'S SCHOOLS". AMONG THE MODEL DAY-CARE CENTERS THAT HAVE INSTALLED OUR LUKUMI SERIES IN BULK, WE HAVE FOUND THAT THE USE OF ICT CAN CONTRIBUTE TO A CERTAIN EXTENT TO THE IMPROVEMENT OF THE WORK ENVIRONMENT AT DAY-CARE FACILITIES, WITH SOME FACILITIES ACHIEVING A MONTHLY REDUCTION IN WORK HOURS OF APPROXIMATELY 65%*6. ON THE OTHER HAND, IT HAS ALSO BECOME CLEAR THAT THERE ARE ISSUES THAT NEED TO BE RESOLVED BEFORE THE INTRODUCTION AND USE OF ICT IN THE CHILDCARE SECTOR.
ACCORDING TO A SURVEY*7 CONDUCTED BY THE ORGANISATION FOR ECONOMIC CO-OPERATION AND DEVELOPMENT (OECD), DIRECTORS AND MANAGERS OF CHILDCARE FACILITIES IN JAPAN INDICATED THAT THERE WAS A HIGH NEED FOR PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT THROUGH TRAINING IN THE FOLLOWING AREAS: SETTING GOALS FOR THE PRESCHOOL REGARDING CHILDREN'S DEVELOPMENT, LEARNING AND LIFE (54%), USING DATA TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF THE PRESCHOOL (46%), AND PROVIDING EFFECTIVE FEEDBACK TO CAREGIVERS (43%). IN ALL OF THESE AREAS, THE NEED FOR PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT THROUGH TRAINING WAS THE HIGHEST AMONG THE COUNTRIES SURVEYED.
We also conducted our own survey*8 and found that more than half of the respondents said that the training contributed to changes in the atmosphere of the preschool and staff and to human resource development (54%). However, the survey also revealed some issues on the part of facilities, such as "not knowing what the issues are (46%)," "not being able to reflect and incorporate the results of one-off training into day-to-day childcare (46%)," "difficulty in sending staff to training due to staff shortages (34%)," and "not being able to participate due to geographical or schedule constraints (24%).
Against this backdrop, the Lukumi Mirai Childcare School was opened to further support childcare facilities in their efforts to improve the quality of their childcare. It is a new type of online learning environment for childcare facilities, which allows them to take courses without the constraints of location, to draw up a vision of what they want to achieve, to clarify where they need to start, and to work together to achieve their vision.
*6: Changes in work time for photo sales, temperature checks, contact sheets and shift preparation (measured at our model preschools).
*7: Source: International Survey of Early Childhood Education and Care Workers 2018: Attitudes of Childcare Workers towards Childcare Practice (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) Participating countries: Japan, Chile, Denmark, Germany, Israel, Iceland, South Korea, Norway and Turkey (Denmark was not included in the comparison due to low collection rates in some areas)
*8: Internet survey conducted among holders of childcare and kindergarten teaching qualifications (period: 12-15 March 2021, 500 valid responses).
Course overview and curriculum points
Future childcare content" to help children discover what they want to be through information about their future
Starting with "What we can do now for the children of the future" by Professor Toshiyuki Shiomi (Professor Emeritus of the University of Tokyo and President Emeritus of Shiraumegakuen University), we will continue to provide a variety of information half a step ahead that will lead to the discovery of what we want to be, from the SDGs to education in primary schools etc. This course is an opportunity to think about what you can do as a childcare provider to nurture children's ability to live their own lives in a better society in the future. (6 sessions, free of charge for participants of the Self-Design Course and the Way-Back Course)
The Self-Design Course, which uses best practice to help you create the image of what you want to be.
Teachers who have taken on various challenges in the childcare industry are invited to become "Mirai Childcare Ambassadors". By sharing their success stories and experiences, they will help you to develop a concrete vision of what you want your school to be and help you to set your goals (5 sessions, 3 months).
A "back-and-forth course" to help you achieve what you want through repeated learning and practice
The course will cover four themes, including organisational development to make the most of diversity, instructional communication to build cooperative relationships, work improvement to create a relaxed atmosphere, and using photographs to reflect on childcare. These courses are designed to provide you with the opportunity to learn from highly qualified lecturers such as Prof. Takashi Mutoh (Professor Emeritus at Shiraume Gakuen University) and Prof. Keitomo Soyuda (Professor at Tamagawa University). Each course is a "back-and-forth" training program that repeats the process of learning and practicing in the childcare field, with the aim of making essential changes in the field (4 sessions, 3-4 months for each course).
The content of the course is subject to change according to circumstances.
About the Mirai Childcare Ambassadors
Dr Taiyo Imazu (Director, Kagayaki-no-Mori Nursery School Ueda, Izumishinkai Social Welfare Incorporated Association)
Dr Kiichiro Sakamoto (Executive Director and Director of RISSHO KID'S Kirari Okamoto, Social Welfare Incorporated Association Tachibana Fukushikai)
Dr Kentaro Sakoda (CEO, Chasa Nursery School Group)
Dr Masanori Seo (Social Welfare Incorporated Association NINJI Hoikuen, Setagaya Daita NINJI Hoikuen, Chairman of the Board and Director)
Dr Sei Tomaki (Director and Headmaster, Kurumi Kodomoen, Kurumi Gakuen School Corporation and Kurumi Kodomoen)
Dr Jun Nakajima (Director, Kariya Dream Tree Nursery School, Philos Social Welfare Corporation)
Dr Masahiro Hori (Social Welfare Incorporated Association Bell-no-Ringing Hill Friendship Society, Director of Certified Nursery School Sakura)
Dr Ryota Muramatsu (Rhythm Gakuen School Corporation, Director of Aioi Children's School)
Dr Asuka Muramoto (General Manager, Step up Co., Ltd.)
Dr Shiro Watanabe (Executive Director, Tsubasa Fukushi Kai Social Welfare Corporation)
Overview of Lukumi Mirai Childcare School
Target audience Childcare providers nationwide (heads of facilities, directors, head teachers and above, frontline childcare providers)
Date of opening
Pre-opening: 1 July 2021 (only Mirai Childcare Content and Outward and Return type courses will open).
Main opening: 1 September 2021 (in addition to the above, self-design courses will also open).
Format Online
HP http s://lookmee.jp/mirasuku/
About Unifa Corporation
Unifa Corporation is a start-up in the field of "Childcare-Tech" that aims to solve social issues related to childcare and childcare. Unifa develops and provides childcare support devices and services using IoT and AI, with the objective of "creating a new social infrastructure that creates happiness for families worldwide". Through the development of "Smart Nursery Schools, Smart Kindergartens and Smart Children's Schools", we are contributing to the creation of a society where it is easy to work while raising children.
About Us
Company name Unifa Corporation
Representative Director and CEO: Yasuyuki Toki
Established 2013
Location 2F Sumitomo Fudosan Chiyoda Fujimi Building, 1-8-19 Fujimi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
Business Overview Planning, development, sales and operation of the "Lukumi" series of childcare support services. Development and promotion of "smart nursery schools, smart kindergartens and smart childcare centres".
Company URL https://unifa-e.com/
More information on the lecturers and other details can be found in the release.