Supporting Diverse Parental Responses with Communicative Proofreading and Translation into Foreign Languages
- The following is content from the press release -
(Head office: Yaizu City, Shizuoka Prefecture; President: Yu Nakamura), which is engaged in ICT support for kindergartens, nursery schools and childcare centers, released on September 25, 2025 (Thursday) a sentence generation and proofreading function using AI technology and a foreign language translation functions utilizing AI technology in the attendance notification function of the "Pastel Apps "*1 childcare ICT system.
Background of Release
Childcare ICT systems used on a daily basis to boost AI utilization.
In recent years, with the emergence of generative AI, more and more preschool managers and childcare providers have become interested in AI in the childcare and education fields. However, the reality remains that few preschools have actually incorporated AI into their operations. We therefore decided to incorporate AI support functions into the childcare ICT systems that are used on a daily basis, in order to help them visualize and practice the use of AI in their operations, and to help them secure time to spend with their children, reduce the burden on caregivers, and build smoother and deeper relationships between preschools and parents in the childcare and education fields, where manpower shortages are becoming increasingly severe. We hoped that this would lead to a smoother and deeper relationship between preschools and parents.
In addition, the number of children with foreign roots in daycare facilities is on the rise, and the Child and Family Agency's survey*2 reported issues such as "lack of understanding of specific problems and needs of children with foreign nationalities and their guardians" and "lack of personnel to provide interpretation and translation services. AI is an effective solution to these language-related issues. We believe that the inclusion of a foreign language translation function as one of the AI support functions will be effective in facilitating smooth communication with parents in an age when multiculturalism will be increasingly required.
Two AI Supports in Attendance Communication
Smooth communication through text generation, proofreading, and translation
This time, AI was implemented in the "attendance notification function," which is one of the most frequently used standard functions of Pastel Apps. An AI support function*3 is implemented to generate sentences from information entered in the contact field, proofread them into appropriate Japanese expressions, and translate them into foreign languages to realize smooth communication with parents. Among the enormous amount of administrative work, communicating with parents is a time-consuming and emotionally taxing task for many childcare providers, who struggle with how to communicate and express their concerns. Therefore, we decided to implement a new AI support function as a function to help solve these issues.
- Sentence generation and proofreading functions (see Figure 1)This function allows the AI to generate sentences based on the information entered in the contact field. Sentences can also be generated from bulleted information, and the tone of the sentences can be selected from "soft," "concise," and "polite. This function reduces the amount of time spent worrying about sentence expression, and helps to reassure caregivers.
- Foreign language translation function (see Figure 2)This function allows AI to translate Japanese text entered in the "Contact" field into foreign languages. There is no limit to the number of foreign languages that can be selected, and it supports smoother information sharing and collaboration with foreign parents.
User parks' voices in documentation work
In interviews conducted at the "Pastel Apps" user park, the following comments were received.
- It is the official texts submitted to the outside world, including parental communications, that are time-consuming to produce. AI support would be helpful for childcare providers.
- AI-based text generation and translation will be useful when it can be used in daily attendance communications.
In the future, AI support functions will be implemented sequentially in other functions of Pastel Apps.
Future Outlook
To be a companion for childcare and education sites that co-create with AI.
The AI support function aims not only to reduce the workload of childcare providers, but also to improve the quality of childcare and education. effective use of AI will create time for caregivers to spend with each child, and smooth cooperation between preschools and parents will lead to more detailed support for families raising children.
In addition to providing "Pastel Apps" and other services, Sunloft has planned an AI feature in "Pastel IT Newspaper," a newspaper specializing in IT for childcare professionals, and has created a map*4 that provides a bird's-eye view of AI applications in childcare and education, and held introductory AI courses. We will continue to support the future of AI in childcare and education fields nationwide by expanding the functions of "Pastel Apps" and disseminating information in "Pastel IT Newspaper," aiming to create an environment that supports the healthy growth of children.
*1 "Pastel Apps:This is a childcare ICT system that centrally manages information on children, parents, and staff to improve the efficiency of paperwork such as documentation and supports smooth communication with parents. (URL:https://apps.passtell.jp/)
*2 "Research and Study Report on Childcare for Children with Foreign Nationalities, etc.":The Child and Family Affairs Agency conducted a report in FY2020 on a survey and research project to promote support for children and child rearing, and compiled information on the actual utilization of daycare centers and other facilities for children of foreign nationalities, as well as examples of nationwide efforts to address this issue (see the report below).https://www.cfa.go.jp/policies/hoiku/gaikokuseki-chousa/)
*3 "AI support in attendance notification functions:Since the attendance notification function is a standard feature, the introduced kindergartens can use the AI support function free of charge. However, there is a possibility that a fee may be charged depending on future usage.
*4 "Map of AI-enabled preschools for childcare providers":This is the park map published in the AI feature in the September 1, 2025 issue of Pastel IT Newspaper. It can be viewed and downloaded from the official website. (URL:https://passtell.jp/ai-map/)
