CONTRIBUTED BY SEAN CAIRNS 
Name of the school: Baby 123 Island Style Daycare
Ages of Your Kid(s) in this school: 0-3
Where is this school located? Sunabe, on the seawall walking distance from Cocok-Sunabe and Café Casa
Contact Information: 098-926-0826
Admissions/Enrollment:
What is the maximum number of students that your school has? 20.
What is the number of students? 10.
Is enrollment open/year-round enrollment or per semester? Open year-round
Does my child have to be potty-trained to attend? No.
Can I bring my child in for a pre-enrollment visit? Yes.
Days and hours:
What are the school’s hours? 7:00am-5:30pm Monday-Friday.
Is the school on a Japanese or American schedule? American
How flexible is the school with pickup and drop-off times? Very flexible.
Costs:
What are the registration fees? $40.00 a year.
What are the tuition fees? $480.00 per month for full time. Drop in rate is $30.00 for the first 2 hours and $5.00 per hour after that.
Is there a late-pickup fee? Yes, $5.00 for the first 5 minutes, and $1.00 per minute after that.
How and when does the school require payment(in yen,dollars,etc)? $`s or ¥ is excepted. And payments are usually the first of the month, but can be arranged for the 1st and 15th. If needed.
Parent Involvement and Interaction:
Does the school encourages spontaneous visits from parents? Yes, Anytime is fine.
How do they communicate with parents? Full time students have a daily log book that is filled out and given to the parents every day. A verbal update will be given for drop in students.
Are there parent/teacher conferences? No.
Classroom Structure and Size:
How are the kids grouped? Separated 0-2 year olds, and 3-4 year olds.
What’s the teacher-child ratio in each group? 0-2 class has one teacher for 5 kids. The 2-4 class has one teacher for 8 students.
How many full-time teachers do you have? 2 full time teachers.
What is the school’s educational philosophy? Is the school program developmentally-based or does it have an academic focus? It's split by age to give a more academic focus for the older students, and a more developmental base for the younger kids.
Is there a playground for the children to play on? Not at the school, but all the students go to one of many nearby parks, the Seawall, or the beach daily.
What do the children do on any given day? First in the morning after breakfast, the kids begin potty training. Then the classes are divided into separate rooms for the class time. In class the students will participate in singing, counting (in both Japanese and English) and writing and studying “Hiragana” as well as coloring and or puzzles. After class time, is some outside playtime, where the students will in the summertime go to the beach and swim every day. Year round the students go to many different parks near the seawall including the Jido-Kan, a Japanese building designed for the kids to have a place to play year-round, located one block from the daycare!
How does the school discipline children? With a simple time-out, with the daily log of the child`s activities its left more to the parents to discipline there children.
How does the school comfort children? The Teachers are very kind and very experienced.
Final Comments or Observations about the School:
I was referred to Baby 123 by a close friend, and am extremely pleased with the care they have given my now 10 month old daughter. I really wanted to find a place where she could be immersed in the Japanese culture/language while she is here. And this is by far the best facility I have found. No other daycare provides, in my opinion, a better experience that I hope my child will keep with her forever. Here is a list of thing that I find unique about Baby 123:
- In the summer, the older kids are taken to the beach and get to play in the water every day, weather permitting.
- There is easy parking to drop off and pick up the kids. (which can be hard to find here in Okinawa I’ve discovered).
- They frequently have Yakisoba, Pancake and birthday parties.
- They teach how to speak Japanese! Its amazing how well some of the older students, 2-3 can speak. I witnessed one student tell the teacher all the colors and counted to 10. That’s better than I can do yet! They are also learning how to write in “Hiragana”.
- Baby 123 is on an American schedule as far as holidays go, but the staff is Japanese, so they are closed for Obon (Aug 15th), Child day (May 8th), and they take from Christmas day to Jan 3rd off.
- The kids get a nap time between 12-2pm.
- The parents are to provide the kids with their lunch and snacks for the day. Unless the staff says they are having yakisoba or something. But they will notify you in advance.
- I have never personally used their drop in service, because my daughter is full time. But in the information I was given, they would just prefer a call ahead of time.
- They also have a Facebook page that is updated daily so the parents can see pictures of their children and their daily activities. As well as be able to communicate with the other parents. The pictures are only viewable by parents of the students. So you can feel safe that the pictures of your child are secure and not just floating around the internet.
- Over all, I am more than satisfied. And would love to do whatever I can to get the word out about this world class child care facility, Baby 123. Do both yourself and most importantly your child a favor, stop by and check them out. Definitely worth the visit!
Directions: Very easy to find, Going north on 58 turn left at the light near the familymart and U.S. Auto sales directly in front of Kadena Air Base Gate 1. Then travel strait on this road towards the seawall. When you come to the last light, get ready. As soon as you go thru the light look right, and you will see it. I think it’s the 2nd building on the right past the light. Pull in to the parking lot and use the door on the right of the building.
Baby 123 is Awesome!!! My daughter started going here at 8 months. Since then, she has learned alot Japanese songs, colors, numbers and can even ask for water at a Japanese restaurants. They teach the kids the same thing in English too.
There are so many things that I like about Baby 123. Here’s just a few things, but the list goes on and on.
-It is not just a job to the staff. They treat the kids like family.
-The kids are separated during class time by age.
-Instead of getting daily updates on a sheet of paper, Baby 123 document their daily activities in a small book. Everything is documented (ie, how much food they ate to how many times they used the bathroom, certain Japanese phases they learned in class time).
-They have pancake and yakisoba parties and the kids get a chance to help mixing the pancake batter
-They go to the beach and park daily, depending on the weather.
-Birthday parties are welcome and you can also invite the clown.
-You get a small photo album of your child’s first couple of days.
-Baby 123 even has a Facebook page so you can see pictures of your kids.
-The location and the facility is great! Very clean and organized inside.
If you are looking for daycare, look no further, Baby 123 Island Style Daycare is the place for you and your child.
I wish I could move back to Okinawa just so my kids could go to Baby 123 again! My boys learned independence, manners and more about life with Baby 123 than they would have with any other daycare I have seen or have seen my friends children go to. Tristan still remembers the Japanese words he learned and we have been gone for six months now. Learning another language as a two year old is priceless. He has amazing self esteem because of how he was loved and respected and allowed to learn and explore. Tristan is so advanced for his age and I know it is because Baby 123 is not only a daycare- it is a school. Even though I have always been a stay at home mother- I still took my boys to Baby 123 because I knew how much they benefited from the experience.
Baby 123 is AMAZING!!! My son went there for just a year and in that time learned to count and speak really well in Japanese, began potty training, and went from being my baby to a happy, excited little boy.
It felt so good to know that when I dropped him off he would be so excited to start school that he would never cry. The teachers treated him like he was a part of their family and always made him feel special. Being able to read everything he did day to day and chart his progress was comforting. And the field trips and planned activities always gave my son something to look forward to.
We have been back in the States for over a year now and my son still asks when he is going to get to go back to school. Even the little things he learned, like taking off his shoes inside and cleaning up after playtime are still important to him. His teacher still keeps in touch with us, and asks how he is. We took him to several daycare centers here and he never liked them. As for my husband and I, we are counting the days until we can request to go back to Japan, so we can enroll our daughter. There really is no better daycare than Baby 123!
Baby 123 is the absolute best. My daughter was there for three years and she learned so much. It is so much more than a day care, and better than preschool. When we came back to the States, our daughter was so much further ahead of the other kids her age. Takako is a true blessing and she loves the children like her own. That is very hard to find. Our daughter still ask when she can go back!
Takako san and Baby 123 are the best in Okinawa! My older son went to another daycare/preschool where the environment was dark and there was not much playtime. Baby 123, on the other hand, was just what we were looking for when my second son was ready to go to preschool. He was always cared for and got to play outside alot, including trips to the beach and the baseball fields. Gage learned how to speak Japanese and learned how to use chopsticks while attending Baby 123! Very impressive for a 3 year old! If you are looking for a daycare/preschool where you know that your child will be loved, have fun, and learn the culture, Baby 123 is for you.
Baby 123 is the best! There’s so much I can say about this daycare but the main thing is it’s home away from home for my son. It’s comforting to know that he is safe and well taken care of when I’m at work. I love seeing him get hugs from not only the staff but the children too! It’s such a great environment.
My son has been at this daycare for a little over a year now. He is currently 2. He loves the teachers and other children. When I pick him up he is always singing the new song he learned or talking about something he did that day. He is currently potty training and they have been so helpful in this. He is proud when he uses the potty and it has been easier to train him at home. The daily log is great. I like seeing what he’s done throughout the day. I also love the fact they go out everyday if the weather is nice. And the hours and service you get for the price can’t be beat anywhere else.
When first looking for a daycare, my son wasn’t comfortable anywhere else. That’s how I decided Baby123 was the right place for him. It’s well worth it if you’re looking for quality care.
Hi, I was just wondering if they only offer full time and drop in? Do they have a part time option?
Thanks!
Clair-
Sorry for the delayed reply. I asked today, and yes they do 1/2 day kids for $380.00 a month. The schedule is set up for 20 hours a week.
I hope that answers your question. If not, email me any time, and I can get more info for ya.
-Sean
Hey, they have a new website up and running now, its in english, and might answer any questions faster than i can. check it out at http://www.okinawadaycare.jp
-Sean
Thanks Sean! I’ll check that out!
My son has been with Baby 123 since he was eight months old. He’s now two and a half and loving every minute of being there. I’m glad by the time I leave Okinawa, my son will be going into a pre-school. I can’t imagine my son going to another day care provider. Takako-san and Midori-san are the best!
Baby 123 has been amazing for my son. He is 3 years old and has only been going for about 4 1/2 months. There are days that I am amazed at how much he has learned. Everyday when he gets into my car he tells me something new in Japanese! Before he started at Baby 123 he could tell me how to spell his name just by repetition, but now he knows what each individual letter is and can recite the entire alphabet (Japanese and English) with absolutely no help. He has learned so much from Takako-san and Midori-san and has bloomed into such a polite young boy. They have taught him so much that it is almost hard for me to keep up with him. I tend to have to ask the teachers what certain things mean and how to pronounce everything so that I’m not practicing with him and telling him something different then what he learned.
I feel that the best part about what he has learned, is that he is not just learning to repeat what they are saying but also know what it means and knows when to say it.
Just the other day we sat down to dinner at a resturant and he asked the waiter “excuse me, where is the bathroom” in Japanese. I was shocked!
This is by far the best place in my opinion to take my child at such a young age.
We just started our one year old at this school and I LOVE IT!!! They are great with him. He cried the first time I dropped him off but the next time he went right in like a champ! I would recommend this school to anyone.
My son has been going to baby 123 since he was 14 months old and now he is three, already know how to spell his name, he knows his ABCs and he can count to 50, and he also speaks fluent in Japanese and English. and he corrects my Japanese. And my son is very happy there and there is no better place for him. He is learning a culture and when i go back to the states he will be way ahead of everyone else.
Hi Candace,
Is your son still there? I am thiking of taking my son there, but he is just 7 weeks, and I am worried about the students ratio, plus, it is so small, it was hard to really get a feel for the place during my visit…and the owner was not I and there was only oe provider there at the time because the other one had to go somewhere. Do you know any of the parents of any of the younger children? It would be nice to discuss my newborn concerns with someone who has their newborn there. Thanks.
Jess-
My daughter is in the infant class, and has been there since she was 4 weeks. shes now 18 months. I am kind of a nosey/concerned father, so i have checked on my daughter many times since she has been there. and i will say i have not once been dissapointed in the care they provide. for example, in the 17 months my daughter has been there, every any anytime i pick her up, she has a fresh diaper. it might seem like a little thing, but after the things my wife and i went through out here with our older child, its an amzing comfort.
on the subject of teacher to student ratio, right now i believe they only have 3 infants, and i think she said 16 or 17 older students. i know there is always two teachers one with the infants and a minimum of one with the older kids at all times. 90% of the time there is another teacher there that is kind of a rover, and helps out both teachers.
I hope that helps, i have talked to the owner Miss. Takako on several occations. and im sure she would be more than happy to show you around and explain everything to you better than i can.
Thank you Stanley,
I did finally decide to go with Baby 123 and my son Noa started this Monday. So far, I am very pleased. Whenever I check on him or pick him up, he is always content, and clean, which is a small thing like you said, but important. And I like that they let me know when he’s eaten, how much, etc…I also see that the other children are always clean and well taken care of, and they too, are very happy, energetic and active children.
The commute with traffic is a bit much, so I don’t know if I’ll keep him there once and if we ever get a slot on base at the CDC just down the street from my house, but we’ll cross that bridge when we get to it.
Thank you for responding; it is nice to hear from a fellow parent with a young one.
Wow, just re-read my initial post and whew, all those typos…that is what happens when you type with a newborn in our arms!
Hello I am looking for more information about your school, my daughter is 1 years old. Would like ot come by and see about her attending this school. Thanks
Do they have any opening now? And are they still limited to 20 students? We will be in Okinawa in November…
we’re trying to be a head start on all the important stuff… 
Hello KateandBelle,
I just received a letter sent home with my son and it states that they are at full capacity and are no longer accepting children now. But, of course it can always change with all the PCS’s. However, this is the most recent news.
My son is 3 and just started going to Baby 123 2 weeks ago. My son has always had a difficult time with transitioning to a new environment, but Takako has been very supportive and always reassuring to us concerned parents. They spend a good amount of time at the park, the beach and morning class time. I think it is a wonderful environment for my 3 year old. Especially in comparison to the CDC’s on base, which can be overcrowded and difficult for the kids due to constant staff turnover/changes and limited training of staff. Hope this helps!
I think they might have two open positions right now. my friend and his wife just PCSd, and they had both their kids there. for the couple coming in November, you should check out the baby123 facebook page, if you can get ahold of them, they might be able to reserve you a spot.
I took my child out of Baby 123 a while back and have been meaning to sit down and write about our experience. The reason we left was because I noticed that the children were watching an excessive amount of TV in the afternoons. Also, they would throw away too much food. Instead of sending my child home with 3/4 of his lunch he didn’t eat they would just throw it away. We are trying to teach our child not to waste food. It was hard to do this when he saw it going to waste at daycare. The staff was friendly and competent, but we just had some minor differences that could not be resolved.
We have never had a Sara Lopez as a customer of Baby123. Please pay no attention to this false statment made by Sarah Lopez.
Thank you,
Baby123
Sorry, I don’t want to use my real name because I still have friends that go there. But, the statement is not false….I guarantee you. Unless, Baby 123 has changed it’s ways. So, answer this: How much TV do the kids watch on an average day?
I can not find the facebook page. Any pointers on what to search for.
To view the pictures and such, you would have to be a parent that has a child that goes there. However, you can search for it under the owner name: Takako Cairns. My son goes there now and he enjoys it. We never had any problems since we been there. I know that they are going to be having open spots starting next month so now is a good time to get a hold of her.
Thanks for the info!!!!
Both of my children attend baby 123 after removing them from another day care on island. We can not say enough how much we love it there! Noah- who struggles with his speech enjoys his teachers very much and any issues we have ever had were resolved quickly. Since we ordering all of our food offline due to the limited amounts of organic food here Baby 123 did not hesitate to send home what Noah did not finish! They even write in his book “Noah did not eat lunch” if he would not eat that day and in his box would be all of his food..We could not be more pleased with Takako..My only complaint is that when we PCS in 2014 we will surely not find the care we do in the states like baby 123!