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).
彼女は保育士として働いています。
She works as a childcare worker.
保育士の資格を取るために勉強しています。
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.
うちの子は保育園の先生が大好きです。
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.
幼稚園教諭になるには大学で教育学を学ぶ必要があります。
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.
幼稚園の先生はとても優しいです。
The kindergarten teacher is very kind.
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.
児童指導員として児童養護施設で働いています。
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.
施設では保育スタッフを募集しています。
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.
今夜はベビーシッターを頼みました。
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.
保育士は保育園で、幼稚園教諭は幼稚園で働きます。
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 older sister is babysitting her little brother.