My family will be moving to Yokohama in October, and we would like our son (now 3 1/2) to attend a yochien where Japanese is spoken. Does anyone have any suggestions on where to start and what I need to consider?
Thank you.

My family and I are moving to Negishi in Yokohama. My wife is Japanese and I am American and we have a 4 year old daughter who speaks both Japanese and English fluently. We are looking for recommendations on pre-schools in the area.

Dear Tim,
If you don't get an answer on this forum maybe try joining the living in yokohama e-list and asking the same question there?
The page on English e-lists is at: http://www.tokyowithkids.com/fyi/englishspeakingegroups.html

A recent issue of Yokohama Echo has an announcement regarding kindergarten subsidies in Yokohama. Subsidies are available to eligible persons who have a child entering PRIVATE kindergarten. Applications will be available in November for children who will enter after this past June 2. Residents of Yokohama city are eligible, but income level restrictions apply. The subsidy is an amount between ¥ 47,000 and ¥ 186,100 per year. The specific amount is based on the tax payment for fiscal 2005.
Information is available from the Infant Education Division (045) 671-2085.

I'd just like to add to Nancy's informative post that all yochien in Yokohama are private.

Also, note that in Yokohama (and probably in many other cities), there are subsidies for *school* children from families of low income. Pay attention to the letters your children bring home, or contact your ward office for details.

Yesterday I saw a group of children out for a walk. They are from Yokohama Park Avenue Preschool. It's an English language preschool located near Kannai station in Yokohama. The children ranged in age from 2 to 5 and they will accept toddlers who are not toilet trained. Here is the website for contact details Yokohama Park Avenue Preschool