Translation guide
In Japanese, the term for a childcare worker depends on the setting and qualifications. The most common and recommended term is 保育士 (hoikushi), a licensed professional working in daycare centers. Other terms exist for different contexts, such as nursery teachers or nannies.
A qualified professional who cares for and educates young children at a licensed daycare facility (保育園).
The standard term for a licensed childcare worker in Japan. This is a nationally certified profession requiring specialized training and an exam. Used in daycare centers (保育園).
She works as a childcare worker.
I'm studying to get a childcare worker license.
A more casual, descriptive way to refer to a childcare worker, literally 'daycare teacher'. Commonly used by children and parents, but not an official job title.
My child loves their daycare teacher.
A teacher at a kindergarten (幼稚園), which is an educational institution for children aged 3–6, not a daycare.
A person who cares for children in a residential facility, such as an orphanage or children's home.
A professional who provides guidance and care for children in welfare facilities like children's homes (児童養護施設). Requires specific qualifications.
I work as a childcare worker at a children's home.
A general term for childcare staff, often used in institutional settings. Not a specific qualification.
A person employed to look after children in a private home.
The most common term for a babysitter or nanny, borrowed from English. Used for both occasional and regular in-home childcare.
We hired a babysitter for tonight.
A traditional term for a babysitter or childminder, often used for older siblings watching younger ones. Can sound old-fashioned or informal.
保育士 works in a daycare center (保育園), which provides care while parents work. 幼稚園教諭 works in a kindergarten (幼稚園), which is an educational institution. The qualifications and focus differ: 保育士 is more about care, 幼稚園教諭 more about education.
A hoikushi works at a daycare, and a kindergarten teacher works at a kindergarten.
While 先生 is used for teachers and some professionals, it is not the official title for a licensed childcare worker. Use 保育士 in formal contexts. 先生 is fine in casual speech, especially by children.
To become a kindergarten teacher, you need to study education at university.
The kindergarten teacher is very kind.
The facility is hiring childcare staff.
姉が弟の子守をしています。
The older sister is babysitting her little brother.