IB PYP Candidate School with Inquiry-based Curriculum Providing World Standard Childcare and Global Education
Through "childcare" and "global education" from early childhood, CGK International School nurtures the physical and mental growth of children to provide them with infinite future possibilities. As an IB PYP candidate school, we offer a high-quality inquiry-based learning curriculum and aim to develop future lifelong learners.
What we nurture in these early childhood years are not only "cognitive skills," which are directly manifested as learning outcomes, but also "non-cognitive skills," which are important throughout the future. As an integrated school that continues through high school, we also focus on social-emotional learning, emphasizing appropriate timing and approach rather than short-term results.
We arouse children's interest and curiosity in new worlds and nurture them to have a truly global perspective.
Fulfilling Childcare & Education Program
At CGK, children are cared for full time from 8:30am to 5:00pm (8:00am to 7:00pm if extended care is included). There are no shorter hours or less than 5 day-a-week courses. (Only 2 year olds can choose from 2-5 days per week.)
While providing attentive care as a preschool, we offer a full curriculum along with a variety of programs, which are of the highest standard in both quantity and quality.
CGK has introduced the IB program, which is highly acclaimed around the world, and as an IB PYP candidate school, we implement an inquiry-based learning curriculum. One of CGK's founding missions has been to help our children develop a spirit of inquiry, and being an IB PYP candidate school is very important to us.
Through the IB transdisciplinary program, children naturally connect and understand the basic knowledge and concepts of multiple subjects without being aware of the boundaries of the subjects. IB is an ideal form of education in which children actively and vigorously enjoy inquiring and learning, rather than the old image of learning in which students sit in chairs and mechanically work on assigned tasks. Because it is student-centered, children naturally deepen their learning as if they were playing.
All of our Japanese teachers are qualified nursery teachers (hoikushi). Appropriate support by highly professional nursery teachers who are familiar with the growth of children in early childhood is very important not only for childcare but also for the quality of education, and we also collaborate with parents appropriately. As a preschool in Japan, we flexibly incorporate the best aspects of both Japan and other countries to provide childcare and education that emphasizes the development of non-cognitive skills based on a foundation that emphasizes children's wellbeing.
During daily Japanese language classes, children learn what they would learn in a Japanese preschool or kindergarten, such as cooperation, consideration, discipline, manners, etiquette, songs, crafts, musical instruments, and offer seasonal events, in cooperation with non-Japanese classes. With Japanese language time, IB inquiry-based learning is also approached in both English and Japanese to deepen inquiry and understanding.
We have adopted the Singapore Maths curriculum, widely recognized as the best math curriculum in the world. Students who learned Singapore math regularly test the highest in international assessments such as the PISA test.
Our grade aligned math skills take into account the standards of multiple countries, including Japan, and are designed to ensure our students will be well prepared for any academic challenges regardless of where they may continue their learning after CGK.
We collaborate with an Italian restaurant and farmers to create food education programs. On a daily basis, we not only teach the importance of food and good manners, but also offer a variety of hands-on experiences.
In the farming experience, we not only enjoy harvesting, but also provide special experiences with an awareness of the aim of each one, such as weed pulling, plowing, planting, cooking with the harvest, and cooking lessons by professional chefs and renting out a restaurant to experience a course meal. Using the example of food distribution from producer to consumer, we are working to deepen understanding of food from diverse perspectives. In a series of activities, we actively incorporate the SDGs into our food education, not only from the perspective of our daily lives, but also from the larger perspective of global issues related to food.
Our P.E. and swimming classes are taught by professional instructors. The P.E. classes are based on the inquiry-based learning of the IB program, rather than just physical exercise and physical fitness.
We also offer year-round private swimming instruction in a heated indoor facility. Through 42 lessons starting at Age 3 class, students will learn the fundamentals of swimming.
Through a variety of events, both large and small, both inside and outside the school, students learn and experience many things that lead to a diverse spirit of inquiry.
These experiences are made possible with the cooperation of the local community (partners) and CGK student's families. We actively incorporates field trips as part of the children's inquiry-based learning, welcoming guest teachers and visiting various locations by school bus to further enhance the education provided to the children.
We offer optional classes after 4:30pm on weekdays to further nurture our children's individuality, abilities, and interests.
Programming and dance are offered in English, and Pygmalion and Ronri Engine are offered in Japanese. Pygmalion uses a math approach, while Ronri Engine uses a Japanese (Kokugo) approach to foster logical thinking. The Ronri Engine helps children attending international schools to further strengthen their Japanese language skills.
We offer a variety of programs to encourage children to become independent, lifelong learners. In addition to educational activities conducted under a student-centered policy on a daily basis, we offer programs such as hiking, international exchange events, Machinaka Ryugaku, overseas tours and short-term study abroad programs for parents and children so that children can gradually step up and become independent according to their level.
We place particular emphasis on our study abroad programs, and while we offer a variety of programs abroad, we strongly recommend going abroad because it gives children the opportunity to experience a new world. Exposure to different values and ways of thinking allows room to think and grow. Many of these programs can be participated in from preschool age.
Unlicensed Nursery School
(Since opening, we have received a Certificate of Compliance according to the "Guidelines for Non-licensed Daycare Facilities" (認可外保育施設指導監督基準 under Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare) seven years in a row without any written or verbal censure on any point. In the annual on-site inspection, a wide range of checks are carried out, from facility safety standards, disaster prevention, fire prevention, and evacuation drills, health and hygiene management, to the assignment of qualified personnel, guidance plans, childcare records, etc.)
2 year olds: Approx. 36, 3 year olds: Approx. 24, 4 year olds: Approx. 48, 5 year olds: Approx. 24 *Ages as of April 1st *Please note that the number of the capacity is subject to change.
School Days
Monday to Friday
School Hours
8:00-19:00 (Regular school hours 8:30-17:00)
School Holidays
Saturdays, Sundays, National holidays, Golden Week (Approx. 1 week), Summer holidays (Approx. 1 week), Winter holidays (Approx. 1 week), Spring holidays (Approx. 1 week)
Access
<Bashamichi Campus (Age 2 and Age 3 classes)>
3-minute walk from Bashamichi Station (馬車道駅) on the Minatomirai Line (directly to/from the Tōyoko Line and Fukutoshin Line)
4-minute walk from Sakuragicho Station (桜木町駅) on the JR Keihin-Tōhoku Line
5-minute walk from Kannai Station (関内駅) on the Yokohama Municipal Subway Blue Line
<Kannai Campus (Age 4 and Age 5 classes)>
4-minute walk from Bashamichi Station (馬車道駅) on the Minatomirai Line (directly to/from the Tōyoko Line and Fukutoshin Line)
5-minute walk from Nihon-ōdōri Station (日本大通り駅) on the Minatomirai Line (directly to/from the Tōyoko Line and Fukutoshin Line)
5-minute walk from Kannai Station (関内駅) on the Yokohama Municipal Subway Blue Line
7-minute walk from Kannai Station (関内駅) on the JR Keihin-Tōhoku Line
Other
Uniform, school lunch, bus transportation
Bashamichi Campus (Age 2 and Age 3 classes) Layout
Feel free to contact us, not only regarding applications for open schools or other questions, but also about observations, interviews, community interaction proposals, partnerships, consultancy requests, internships, etc.
(日本語は英語の後で) Last Sunday CGK Outdoors Club held its largest event yet with over 100 people attending😄
The day at Kodomono Nature Park started with a gentle nature walk around the lake and through the forest🌿As we came down the mountain we arrived at the large play area. There, the kids were delighted to enjoy all the activities including a jungle gym, a long slide and lots of things to climb🛝
Future CGK Outdoors Club events will be announced soon - stay tuned for news about our next exciting adventures😊!
(日本語は英語の後で) We were excited to have our first family parties since the pandemic😄 The always lovely Primo🇮🇹 Italian restaurant were gracious hosts as some of our students and their families enjoyed a special full course meal🍽 Our CGK students certainly had a great time experiencing the pleasures of eating fine food as well as the joys of sharing a meal with even finer company✨ Thank you to the families who braved the cold to come and to everyone at Primo for helping us organize such a great event😊
(日本語は英語の後で)Last week, what a surprise, the ogres came to CGK👹! The preschool children were learning about Setsubun during their Japanese class, such as the meaning of Setsubu and Ehomaki culture. While we were saying, “Ogres would probably not come because they have all become older brothers and sisters and are being very good,”.... the ogres came into the class‼️ Everyone said loudly “Oni wa soto!” and “Fuku wa uchi!” which they had been practised together! The bean throwing was filled with tears and laughter😂
During the lunch break at the elementary school, the children had a lot of fun with games they came up with😄! The first game was a kind of dodgeball style, where the children threw fake beans at each other’s court. The team that throws the most beans into the other’s court wins. The second game was to put as many beans as possible into the box above the heads of Ms Anna Ogre and Mr Facundo Ogre, who were moving around. Mr Facundo Ogre got more beans in the box than Ms Anna Ogre and lost the game😲
Everyone worked hard together with their friends and the ogres went home👹 We wish you a happy and healthy year!✨
(日本語は英語の後で)This week, CGK Elementary School had Parents Day! Kids were happy to share what they are learning with parents and they mentioned how happy they felt after😄 The growth that we have witnessed from the Parents Day in Term 1 and the Parents Day in Term 3 is quite remarkable👏 Parents were invited to join Coffee Hours in the afternoon☕ They had a chance to talk with teachers to have better understanding about lessons.
(日本語は英語の後で) In January, there is Japanese New Year’s custom called Oshogatsu (New Year’s)🎍The Mountain Class and the Sky Class children`s lesson was based on this.
One of the things the children were looking forward to was making rice cakes. At the start of the month, before the teacher told them, the children checked the monthly calendar themselves and were very interested, saying “Are we going to make mochi⁉️“.
Until the day of the event, the children looked enjoyed some activities related to rice cakes, such as reading the picture book ‘Baba Baba’s rice cake making’ and a hand clapping game called ‘Making rice cakes (for the New Year)’😊
Today was finally the day! They placed cooked glutinous rice into a bowl, and grinded it into a mochi shape with a wooden pestle. Gradually the students pounded the rice into mochi shape. It was a good way for them to use their muscles as well✊ When it came time to eat the mochi, they dipped it in a topping of their own choice, such as sweet red bean paste, kinako (soybean flour) or sugar and soy sauce.
Thank you to everyone for your cooperation! The children really enjoyed the event✨
(日本語は英語の後で) You`re invited to join our CGK Outdoors Club event - enjoying beautiful Oike Park🏞️CGK Outdoors Club is originally designed for CGK community for hiking and other outdoor activities🥾For this event, we invite other friends or family members who may not be members of the CGK community. This event will start with a gentle nature walk through the forest to the large children’s play area🛝The children’s play area is fantastic - the kids certainly won’t be bored! We hope you will be able to join us😄
Oike Park/Children’s Nature Park Sunday, the 18th of February, 2024 10.30am-1.30pm
(日本語は英語の後で)CGK and HelloWorld (the operator of Machinaka Ryugaku), have signed an agreement to work together to promote the development of global talent🌎
HelloWorld offers a program called Machinaka Ryugaku. Instead of travelling overseas to experience a different culture, you can experience a new culture and spend time with an international family living in Japan by staying studying at their home for the weekend with homestay options from Kanto to Okinawa!
CGK will work closely with HelloWorld to further promote the development of global human resources both internationally and domestically.
Thanks for everyone who joined our Yokohama International Family(YIF)’s first-ever event - YIF Get Together😄 It was great to see kids have fun and make new friends👫 Hopefully we will see you again at our next event! ※今回はイングリッシュオンリーのイベントでした！
(日本語は英語の後で)Last week, we held "North American Boarding School Study Abroad Information Session" at CGK International School🌎 This time we invited Mr.Mihara, a representative of Field Across, who specializes in providing support for boarding school study in North America✨ Mr.Mihara introduced the 2024 summer programme, not only in the United States, but also boarding schools in Hawaii and Canada. He shared us a valuable talk about the local schools!
At CGK, long-term study abroad (one year) is mandatory from the summer of Grade 7. CGK also offers a wide range of short-term study abroad plans to support students so that they can make their own decisions about where to study. In addition to North America, we are also planning short-term study abroad plans in New Zealand and Australia.
(日本語は英語の後で)At CGK Afterschool we have a program called ‘Student Choice’ where students work together to decide the driving question they wish to explore, and the entire direction of their project is led by them. For the last Student Choice project, the students decided to create their own Charity Christmas Market🎉 to raise money for children affected by the war in Ukraine.
Students worked very hard over the weeks to make merchandise, create games, work on original food and drink items, and put together musical and story reading performances all in the name of charity. Students invited family and friends not only from CGK but from their various elementary schools too, to share their festival with as many people as possible.
From the very start of the festival everyone thoroughly enjoyed themselves and it was great to stand back and watch the students run the whole festival by themselves😊 Through their had work and effort they rose over 15,000 yen for charity👏 They should be very proud of what they achieved.
(日本語は英語の後で) 【CGK Elementary School Open Schools】 We have 1 more open school left in Year of 2023-24. 🕘Sunday, January 28th 9:00AM(JP) / 11:00AM(EN) / 2:30PM(JP) *The last group session on weekend in 2023-24. Individual sessions remain available on weekdays.
For students who are eligible for enrolment in April 2024 are invited to attend the Elementary School Orientation on the 17th of February. To ensure a smooth enrolment process, we recommend that prospective students attend our open school in January😊
Whether or not you have a definite intention to enrol, please feel free to participate. This invitation extends to those who have attended in the past or those targeting enrolment from the 2025 academic year onwards!
Children are welcome to join on the day👫 It’s also an opportunity to interact with elementary school teachers, so please join us!
(日本語は英語の後で)On Sunday the 14th of January, CGK Outdoors Club went on a hiking trip from Jochi-ji Temple to Kuzuharaoka Shrine and finally to the Great Buddha of Kamakura🏃♂️!
It was a perfect day for hiking with clear blue skies and a cool breeze☀ We made our way up the trail until we reached Kuzuharaoka Shrine. There, we had a delicious lunch, exchanged some sweets, played some tag and were visited by some wild squirrels🐿✨!
At this point on the trail families could decide if they wanted to return to Joichi-ji temple or continue to the Great Buddha. Even though it was a longer trail to keep going, our three year old Jungle class friends all wanted to finish! Everyone made it to the end of the trail and were able to enjoy the site of the Great Buddha of Kamakura👏
Everyone is looking forward to our next CGK Outdoors Club event at Oike Park. It should be another wonderful day😊
On the 1/20, we will have Yokohama International Family (YIF) first event “YIF Get Together”👨👩👧👦 *This event will be held in ENGLISH ONLY. Please be aware of there would be no Japanese translation assistance on the day.
Open to everyone (outsiders are welcome too), this laid-back gathering is a chance for you to meet and mingle with families from Yokohama`s international community. Kids can enjoy some rhythmic fun with music, percussion instruments, and dance🥁🎼💃
For more info and registration, please check our Facebook and Meetup event page. Facebook: fb.me/e/1jPOsmAbS Meetup: meetup.com/yifcgk/events/297879894 If you don’t have any of above accounts, please contact us by DM for registration. *This event invites people from other sources so the RSVP count on above page is only partial.
Please feel free to invite your international friends-family😊
(日本語は英語の後で) Although we had originally planned to open only one class for 2-year-olds, we have revised our plans and decided to open two classes starting April 2024. We are pleased to announce that we will continue to accept new students for the 2-year-old class for the 2024 school year. In addition, we regularly hold open school sessions (next one: Jan 13) for those interested in enrolling. We have some openings in other classes as well, so please check our website and join our open school session.
(日本語は英語の後で) Yokohama Spring Homeless Patrol (YSHP) is a volunteer group that relies on volunteers and donations to serve the homeless and needy in Yokohama. Rain, hail, or shine, every two weeks YSHP gather at JR Kannai station where around one hundred people wait for over an hour beforehand to receive much-needed food and supplies. Some of the CGK teachers have been volunteering with YSHP in 2023.
But for the very first time, we invited CGK families to join YSHP on their latest homeless patrol😊!
Check out the blog post available on our website for more details.
(日本語は英語の後で) The videos of the 2023 CGK Sports Day are now available🏅Check out the rest on our YouTube channel. Take a look at the blog for highlights of the Preschool Sports Day too! This year’s Sports Day was a very first Sports Day for elementary school. And it was a little different from previous editions for preschool as it reflected the implementation of the IB curriculum at CGK. The children were given more agency in planning Sports Day such as choreography and planning and modifying their games👫 As we mature as an IB school, events such as Sports Day will demonstrate the agency that the children have. This makes our Sports Day more exciting and unique than other sports days that you have been to.
