International Pre-School in Tsukuba
OWIS Tsukuba Early Childhood Programme for 3-5 year olds
At OWIS Tsukuba, our Early Childhood Programme gives young learners a joyful, secure start to school life, where curiosity is celebrated, confidence is nurtured, and every child feels they belong. Through play-based, inquiry-led learning, children build strong early foundations in communication, social skills, and early literacy and numeracy, preparing them to thrive as they grow.
Nurturing Your Child Through An Inquiry-Based Early Years Programme
Personalized & Student-Focused Curriculum
Personalized & Student-Focused Curriculum
At OWIS Tsukuba, we use real-life and role-play scenarios alongside student-centred, inquiry-based learning. With class sizes of 18 students or fewer, teachers can guide each child closely as they explore real-world problems and develop their own solutions through hands-on experience, not just textbooks. This approach helps students build on their strengths and interests, growing in confidence, curiosity, and a genuine love of learning.
Early English Language Acquisition
Students enjoy an immersive English environment for around eight hours each day during the years when language development is most rapid. We also provide age-appropriate English language activities that help children settle in confidently and build strong foundations for learning at OWIS Tsukuba.
For primary students who need extra support, we offer additional English language support programmes to help them progress with confidence.
Healthy, Happy Students, Engaged in Learning
Our professional teachers are trained to keep students happy and safe. From checking in on their emotional well-being each day, to doing risk assessments for activities, excursions, and classroom resources.
Not only are our teachers trained in handling bullying and conflicts, we also teach students to be kind to one another and demonstreate compassion at every level of the curriculum.
Well-Rounded Development
Witness how we nurture students in a multicultural environment, empowering them to grow up with the values of acceptance, tolerance, kindness, and compassion.
How does OWIS Tsukuba offer excellent international preschool education in Tsukuba?
Global Legacy of Success
The OWIS group of schools run by GSG has campuses located in multiple geographies including the Asia-Pacific regions, India and the Middle East. This allows for the sharing of best teaching practices, real-world global exchange, and the ability to move between schools around the world with minimal hassle.
Personalized Learning
Across all OWIS Japan campuses, we keep class sizes to 18 students or fewer, ensuring a strong student–teacher ratio. This allows our teachers to give each child more individual attention in a safe, supportive, and comfortable learning environment.
Optimal Student-Teacher Ratio
We focus on giving individualized support and attention to every student. Our optimal student-teacher ratio of 18 students per class or less is a testiment to this commitment.
Multicultural & Inclusive
Our school community welcomes students and families from diverse nationalities and backgrounds. In this respectful and open environment, children learn to appreciate different cultures, perspectives, and ways of thinking, helping them grow into confident, empathetic, and globally minded learners.
Government Subsidy
In addition, since our school is eligible for the free preschool subsidy, families who receive certification will receive up to 37,000 yen back in subsidies. Please click here for more details.
Love for Learning
We aim to make learning a happy experience for learners. This may mean addressing their educational needs with methodologies that work for them.
A Top Option for Private International Schooling in Tsukuba; Offering Early Childhood Education
The age brackets for Early Childhood Education sometimes varies from one country to the other. At OWIS Tsukuba, the Early Childhood Programme typically represents children between ages 3-5. The programme is variously referred to as Reception, Pre-K, Pre-School, Nursery or simply Early Years Programme.
Strong Student Protections
Every child deserves a healthy, open and safe school environment to develop their confidence and independent thinking skills. At OWIS Japan, Pastoral Care is carefully incorporated into our curriculum to look after our students’ well-being.
Pastoral Care at OWIS:
- Policy based restorative practices For conflict resolution and resolving bullying
- Modelling Positive Behaviour
- Inquiry-based project work helps students form strong interpersonal connections with others
- Teaching kindness at every level, and empowering students to build healthy relationships with themselves and others,
- Practice of Mindfulness
- Encouraging students to see the fun in learning and not feel judged for their mistakes
Enquire now to find out how your child will thrive in our nurturing school environment.
FAQ
The OWIS Tsukuba Early Childhood Education (International Preschool) is an international preschool education programme designed for children aged 3 to 5 years.
Programme Structure:
EC2 Class: For children aged 3–4 (equivalent to Preschool / Pre-K)
EC1 Class: For children aged 4–5 (equivalent to Reception / Nursery)
At OWIS, we adopt an inquiry-based curriculum that emphasises learning through role play, real-life experiences, and play-based activities. Our qualified and experienced teachers support each child’s social, emotional, and confidence development, while providing the ideal preparation for entry into the OWIS Primary School.
The OWIS Early Childhood Programme (Preschool) offers unique features designed to provide an international education from the very beginning:
Language Environment
- Full-day English immersion (8 hours per day)
- Provides the optimal environment for English acquisition during the critical early years
- In comparison, Japanese kindergartens and nurseries primarily use Japanese for daily activities
Educational Approach
- International, inquiry-based learning
- Small class sizes: fewer than 16 students per class, allowing for personalised attention
- In contrast, Japanese facilities often focus on group-based childcare approaches
School Readiness
- Priority admission to OWIS Primary School
- Early adaptation to an international learning environment
- Eligible for government subsidies (up to JPY 37,000 per month)
OWIS Tsukuba Preschool is designed for children aged 3 to 5 years.
Class Structure by Age:
EC2 (Early Childhood 2): For children aged 3–4
EC1 (Early Childhood 1): For children aged 4–5
Key Points about Preschool Admission:
Priority admission to the OWIS Primary School
Ensures a smooth progression, as Primary is one of the most in-demand entry points
Age placement follows the international preschool system
The same preschool curriculum structure is implemented across all OWIS campuses worldwide
Early childhood is a crucial stage for language development. At OWIS Preschool, children build the foundation for lifelong learning and growth in a fun and engaging environment.
At OWIS Tsukuba, we provide high-quality preschool education at a reasonable cost.
Tuition & Fees (per term):
Tuition: JPY 458,640 (before discounts)
Facility fee: JPY 32,760
Total per term: JPY 491,400 (tuition + facility fee)
Since the school year consists of three terms, the annual total is JPY 1,474,200.
Other Fees:
Learning materials & excursion fee: JPY 50,000 per year (non-refundable)
Application fee (one-time, upon enrollment): JPY 80,000 (non-refundable)
For more details, please see the [OWIS Tsukuba tuition page].
If you have any questions, feel free to contact us via the [inquiry form].
Yes, absolutely! Many children join the OWIS Early Childhood Programme (Preschool) with no prior experience in English and make remarkable progress.
OWIS Support System:
- Full-day (8 hours) English immersion environment for natural language acquisition
- Individualised learning guided by qualified teachers
- Fun, play-based approach to learning English
- Foundational English activities that prepare children for a smooth transition into OWIS Primary School
Features of the OWIS Preschool Learning Environment:
- Small class sizes (16 students or fewer) for personalised attention
- A safe, joyful, and engaging setting where children can focus on learning
- Daily health monitoring to ensure well-being
- Teachers trained to nurture kindness and empathy
Early childhood is the most effective stage for language development. With the expert guidance of the OWIS Preschool, your child will gain the confidence to communicate naturally in English.
Yes, we welcome campus visits at any time! This is a wonderful opportunity to experience our learning environment firsthand.
What you can expect during a visit:
Tour of our spacious classrooms and well-equipped learning resources
Exploration of our natural outdoor areas, including the garden, sandbox, and pond
Conversations with our IB-certified teachers
Observation of an actual preschool class following our inquiry-based curriculum
From our parents:
“The teachers are always warm, friendly, and respectful of our family’s values. Our children truly enjoy their teaching style.”
– Jeremy Carlson, Parent of Preschool & Primary School students
How to book a Preschool visit:
Please complete the registration form on our [School Tour page].
A member of our team will contact you within one business day.
Preschool (kindergarten and nursery) children at our school may also use the school bus service. However, please note that child seats are not available on the bus, and we ask for your understanding when using this service.
If you have questions beyond the preschool, we encourage you to take a look at our FAQ page for more details.