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.
The official title for a licensed kindergarten teacher. This is a different qualification from 保育士, focusing more on early childhood education.
To become a kindergarten teacher, you need to study education at university.
The everyday term for a kindergarten teacher, used by children and in casual conversation.
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.
The facility is hiring childcare staff.
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.
The kindergarten teacher is very kind.
姉が弟の子守をしています。
The older sister is babysitting her little brother.