unification of day-care centers and kindergartens; integration of early childhood education and care
Policy term referring to the administrative merger of daycare (保育所) and kindergarten (幼稚園) systems, often discussed in the context of 幼保一体化 or 認定こども園.
The government is promoting the unification of day-care centers and kindergartens.
The debate on integrating early childhood education and care is part of measures against the declining birthrate.
More common synonym for the same concept; 幼保一元 is a slightly more formal or bureaucratic variant.
Certified centers for early childhood education and care, a concrete outcome of the unification policy.
Compound of 幼 (preschool/kindergarten), 保 (daycare/nursery), and 一元 (unification).