English Nursery, Preschool, Kindergarten & Day Care
Located in Nagakute on the east side of Nagoya, our Reggio Emilia-inspired Preschool and Kindergarten programs welcome children of all cultures and home languages. Learning is rooted in play, inquiry, relationships, movement, and joy, while also building strong foundations in literacy, mathematics, and elementary school readiness.
Learn more about our programs, learning environment, tuition and fees, and other useful information below.
Supporting Your Child’s Learning and Development
Children are capable, curious learners who develop ideas, skills, and understanding in different ways and at their own pace. At Discovery, teachers recognize and respond to each child’s interests and strengths through inquiry, play, relationships, and thoughtfully planned learning experiences. This approach can be seen throughout our curriculum and teaching practices.
Whole-Child Development
Early learning is about more than academics. Movement, relationships, creative expression, play, language, and thinking all support one another as children grow. Our program intentionally provides a balance of physical, social-emotional, creative, and cognitive experiences so children can build confidence, independence, curiosity, and a strong foundation for later learning.
Individualized Developmental Support
Children are supported in all areas of development at a pace appropriate to the individual child. Through careful observation, teachers recognize and respond to each child’s emerging strengths, interests, and needs, adjusting support and learning experiences accordingly. This allows children to be challenged appropriately while continuing to grow with confidence.
Play & Project-Based Learning
Children and teachers co-construct unique STEAM learning experiences that emerge directly from children’s play, questions, ideas, and discoveries. Projects develop over time as children investigate, experiment, represent their thinking, and encounter new possibilities. Daily visual reports help families follow the progression of each learning project.
STEAM: Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts & Mathematics
Experienced Educational Leadership
Discovery is independently owned and led by an experienced international educator with an M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction, Early Childhood teaching licensure, and extensive experience in international education and early childhood program leadership in Japan.
Programs at a Glance
Courses
Toddlers: 18 months–3 years
Explorers: 3–4 years
Kinders: 4–6 years
Classroom Hours & Day Care
Toddlers 9:00 am ~ 1:15 pm
Explorers 9:15 am ~ 2:15 pm
Kinders 9:30 am ~ 2:30 pm
Additional Day Care available from 8:00 am ~ 6:30 pm
Student : Teacher Ratio
Our maximum class size is 18 children with two qualified teachers, with an additional assistant in the Toddlers class.
Mid-Year Enrollment
Children may enroll throughout the school year if space permits.
How Children Learn at Discovery
At Discovery, children learn through meaningful play, relationships, movement, and creative exploration. Teachers build on children’s interests and discoveries to support balanced development and establish strong foundations for elementary school.
Play, Inquiry & the Reggio Emilia Approach
Children’s questions, interests, and discoveries are the starting point for meaningful learning. Teachers observe and listen, then help children investigate ideas together through play and evolving STEAM projects.
Drawing, building, storytelling, movement, and other forms of expression give children many ways to share their thinking.
Balanced Development
Young children develop through movement, relationships, play, and creative expression as well as through language and thinking. At Discovery, we support the whole child, with attention to social, emotional, physical, language, and cognitive development.
Daily outdoor play provides opportunities to run, climb, balance, cooperate, and take on new challenges. Music, creative arts, and regular gymnastics provide additional opportunities for children to develop coordination, confidence, and self-expression.
Literacy, Mathematics & Elementary Preparation
Alongside rich opportunities for conversation, storytelling, books, writing, and language throughout the day, Discovery provides systematic instruction in the literacy skills children need to become successful readers. UFLI Foundations is a core component of our program, providing a carefully sequenced approach to phonemic awareness, phonics, decoding, spelling, and reading connected text. Instruction and support are responsive to each child’s developing skills and readiness.
The internationally acclaimed Singapore Math system moves from real objects to visual representations and then abstract ideas. Hands-on exploration builds conceptual understanding and problem-solving skills. These foundations grow alongside curiosity, independence, and confidence for the transition to elementary school.
Our Learning Environment
At Discovery, the learning environment is thoughtfully designed to encourage curiosity, independence, exploration, and collaboration. Bright, welcoming classrooms provide children with accessible materials and spaces for play, projects, creative expression, and focused learning, while our on-site playground extends opportunities for movement, discovery, and social interaction outdoors.
Classrooms Designed for Children
Our bright, welcoming classrooms are designed specifically for young children, with natural light, padded flooring, child-sized furnishings, and materials within easy reach. Open, flexible spaces encourage children to move independently, make choices, work together, and gather in small or larger groups throughout the day.
Outdoor Play & Exploration
Our on-site playground gives children daily opportunities to run, climb, balance, explore, and play together. A variety of equipment and open-ended outdoor experiences support physical development, confidence, cooperation, and discovery. During the summer months, children also enjoy water and pool play to beat the heat!
Learning Made Visible
Children’s ideas, discoveries, and learning processes are made visible through documentation displayed throughout our school. Families can follow their child’s learning through individual online portfolios, along with daily photo and video updates that provide a window into classroom experiences, projects, and everyday discoveries.
A Typical Day at Discovery
The following is a sample of a Kinders class day, balancing play, movement, creative projects, and focused learning. Activities and arrival/departure times vary by class (see Classroom Hours above). Families may bring lunch from home or choose our optional school lunch service on a day-to-day basis!
9:30 | Arrival |
9:40 | Morning Meeting Music & Movement |
10:00 | Literacy |
10:25 | Outdoor Play Gymnastics |
11:10 | Singapore Math |
11:35 | Play Time Story Time |
12:00 | Lunch |
12:40 | Discovery Time: STEAM Projects & Play Time Music Class |
14:10 | Closing Meeting Story Time Music & Movement |
14:30 | Dismissal |
Additional Enrichment
Discovery’s core curriculum is complemented by specialist-led experiences that broaden children’s opportunities for movement, creativity, language, and new challenges. Some enrichment activities are included in the regular program, while others are available as extracurricular classes.
Music & Pianica
We believe the arts to be a key focus of early childhood development, growing a sense for the aesthetic and providing outlets for communication and creativity. At Discovery, children are instructed in voice and rhythm by an expert teacher and have opportunities throughout the day to enjoy music and movement. Our 4 & 5 year olds also have the option of learning how to read notes to play the pianica, with opportunities to perform!
Japanese
While our daily pursuits are entirely conducted in English, our school is located in Japan. Our optional Japanese class helps children build vocabulary, learn about Japanese culture, and even learn to read and write hiragana and katakana!
Swimming Club
In partnership with nearby Beat Swimming Club, Discovery students have the option of taking weekly swimming lessons! A licensed child care provider accompanies the children to and from the lesson by bus and assists them at the venue. We also have pool and water play time in the school playground in the hot summer months!
Gymnastics Enrichment with Certified Instructor
This video shows Discovery International School students performing vault jumps under the guidance of a certified gymnastics instructor in our outdoor playground. This enrichment program supports strength, coordination, and confidence development as part of our whole-child approach in the Nagoya and Nagakute region.
Gymnastics
Early childhood physical activity is not only important for strong healthy bodies–it is also essential for brain development. Along with daily physical education, a specialist provides weekly gymnastics lessons to ensure fitness of body and brain!
What Our Parents Say
Tuition & Fees
Tuition is paid by semester, three times per year. Monthly equivalents range from ¥48,000 for Toddlers attending two days per week to ¥76,500 for five-day attendance. Toddlers families may opt for two to five days per week attendance. Explorers and Kinders attend five days a week.
Additional fees apply for application, enrollment, and maintenance fees. There are separate charges for extended day care, optional school lunch, and some enrichment classes. Sibling discounts are available.
Eligible children aged 3–5 may receive government child care subsidies of up to ¥37,000 per month, subject to municipal eligibility requirements.
Looking for a weekend alternative to our preschool program?
Have a look at The Clubhouse Saturday School!
Ready to Join Discovery?
We welcome new students throughout the school year when space is available. Our enrollment process gives families an opportunity to visit Discovery, meet our teachers, and make sure our program is a good fit for your child.
1. Visitation
Schedule an in-person or virtual visit to experience Discovery, learn more about our program, and ask any questions you may have.
2. Application
Complete our online application form to provide information about your child and family.
3. Enrollment
After your application is received, we’ll arrange an interview and guide you through the remaining enrollment steps and procedures, including required documents and initial tuition and fee payment.
