Empower lifelong wellness by exploring the world for every child.
About us
At Wells International Preschool, nestled in the culturally rich and picturesque city of Kamakura, Japan, we are committed to inspiring and empowering students for lifelong wellness. Our mission is to celebrate and nurture each child's unique identity, motivations, interests, and curiosity. We place great importance on well-being, mindfulness, openness, curiosity, and exploration.
Kamakura, our home, offers a stunning backdrop of historical shrines, temples, local cuisine, handicrafts, and natural landscapes of mountains, rivers, and beaches. We weave this vibrant local heritage into our curriculum, providing students with enriching experiences both inside and outside the classroom.
Collaboration is at the heart of Wells International Preschool. We have partnered with creative advisors from diverse fields such as art, design, cuisine, and technology to ensure our curriculum incorporates opportunities for real-world exploration and application, enhancing our educational offerings.
Our commitment to well-being is also reflected in our holistic programs, which include a nutritious lunch, yoga, and meditation. These initiatives help students develop a balanced lifestyle and a deep appreciation for holistic health.
Wells International Preschool is more than just a school; it is a community where education and well-being are seamlessly integrated, providing a foundation for a fulfilling and balanced life.
Let’s explore this interesting world!
Inquiry Based LearningReggio Emilia ApproachWellness
We create the original curriculum based on inquiry-based learning,
the Reggio Emilia approach and wellness activities to nurture children's curiosity and creativity,
fostering self-directed learning.
Wells International Preschool aims to provide the optimal learning environment for children and support their healthy growth.
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1.Child-Centered Learning
Through small class sizes and group inquiry-based learning, we prioritize children's voices and provide education tailored to their interests and needs. This approach maximizes each child's potential.
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2.Multicultural and Multilingual
Located in Kamakura, Japan, we offer an international environment where children from diverse backgrounds can learn and grow together.
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3.Exploring the world
Through a wide range of activities and exploring including nature, colors, lights, art, music, and science, we cultivate children's creativity and expressive abilities.
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4.Health and Wellness
We incorporate programs that promote physical and mental well-being, such as yoga, meditation, and aromatherapy, to support children’s overall happiness and health.
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5.Community Engagement
We value strong connections with the local community and actively participate in regional events and projects, fostering children's social skills and sense of responsibility.
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6.Educational collaborators
Our diverse team of experienced educators provides personalized, high-quality education. With a teacher-to-student ratio of less than 1:5, we ensure that each child receives individual attention, focusing on nurturing their unique strengths and abilities.
Philosophy
Mission
Empower lifelong wellness
by exploring the world
for every child.
We empower lifelong wellness through exploration and celebrate each child.
We nurture curiosity, encourage mindfulness, and support self-motivated learning.
By connecting children with real-world experiences,
we create an inclusive environment that fosters growth, well-being, and community engagement.
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Values
Wellness for All
We prioritize and cultivate the physical, mental, social, and emotional wellness of our learning community so that children, teachers, leaders, and parents may live a more balanced life.
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Openness
We open our minds to new ideas, exploration, reflection, and change. We open our hearts to different cultures, languages, and the diversity of human life. We celebrate our unique identities, while collaborating and learning from others. We recognize that there are multiple perspectives and more than one right answer.
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Lifelong Learning
Learning does not end after school, nor after graduation. Learning is a daily practice that begins from a sense of belonging within our homes, schools, and communities, and is further ignited through our curiosity and experiences. For young children, the essence of learning is play, social interactions with others, and lots of hands-on opportunities to explore the natural environment and the world around us. Through this kind of learning environment and school culture, we plant the seeds of lifelong learning that will ensure our students are open and excited about new possibilities and ideas over the course of their lifetimes.
Team
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Clare Barnfather
Curriculum AdvisorClare is a bilingual educator with over seventeen years of teaching and management experience in the UK and Japan. As a remote educational consultant, she supports multiple schools by offering tailored professional development for leaders and teachers, ensuring that each school's unique needs and context are met. With expertise in the British, IB PYP, and Japanese Article One Kindergarten curriculums, Clare is passionate about picture books and storytelling, the science of pedagogy, fostering a love of learning in children, and encouraging teachers to adopt best practices, pride, and self-confidence. She is thrilled to join Wells International Preschool as their Remote Curriculum Advisor, where they aim to cultivate a vibrant community through engaging and meaningful learning opportunities.
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Hisayuki Watanabe
AdvisorHead of School Sunnyside International School Principal of Sunnyside International School. Born in Gifu City. Graduated from the Department of Sociology at the Berliner Technical University. In 2002, he established Sunnyside International School aiming to cultivate the next generation of global citizens who can thrive internationally. In January 2016, the school received accreditation as the first IB-PYP (Primary Years Programme) school in Japan. Since January 2018, he has served as the Asia-Pacific representative of the Heads Council, an advisory body to the Director General of the International Baccalaureate Organization, and as a member of MEXT IB Consortium. From 2024, he is taking a role as "IBO government partnership advisor, promoting IB education both domestically and throughout Asia.
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Ayaka Tsuda
AdvisorAyaka Tsuda is the atelierista and representative of Migliorare. She is dedicated to improving learning environments for children and people of all ages. As a Cultural Affairs Agency Overseas Trainee, she trained at Reggio Children in Reggio Emilia, Italy. Tsuda has implemented projects at the Loris Malaguzzi International Center and Reggio Emilia preschools, while also organizing various ateliers, projects, events, and exhibitions. She serves as an advisor for JIREA (Japan Institute for Reggio Emilia Alliance) and is a Special Advisor for Early Childhood Education in Kyoto Prefecture. Ayaka Tsuda conducts atelier practices, training, and workshops at various educational institutions across Japan, including Kyoto City kindergartens, the Shibuya Project (University of Tokyo CEDEP, Shibuya-ku), the Tokyo Project (CEDEP, Tokyo), Setagaya Education Center, as well as kindergartens, nursery schools, and certified child centers nationwide. Currently collaborating with the NPO Wa no Gakkō on the "Tsukumo no lab" project, which utilizes surplus materials from traditional Japanese culture and industries in children's education.
Books:"Early Childhood Education in Reggio Emilia: Seeing Children Through the Atelier" (Published by Shogakukan Inc.)
"Exploration Starting from the Atelier: Reggio-Inspired Early Childhood Education in Japan" (Published by Chuohoki Publishing CO.) -
Crystal Om
Sound Artist, Meditation CoachCrystal Om, a sound artist and meditation coach, enriches Wells International Preschool with her expertise in wellness through sound-based meditation. She emphasizes self-alignment and mental wellness, using tools like crystal bowls to offer accessible relaxation and meditation experiences.
She runs regular sessions in Hiroo, Tokyo and collaborates with wellness-focused organizations, bringing her holistic approach to various settings, including yoga and children’s events. At Wells, she supports a mindful and balanced approach to well-being for students, families, and staff alike. -
Takako Tsuruoka
Founder, CEO & CWO (Chief Wellness Officer)Takako Tsuruoka is the founder and visionary behind Wells International Preschool, where she and the team create a globally-minded, diverse educational environment. With a master's degree in Management of Technology from Tokyo Institute of Technology, her career includes positions at Infosys in India, Salesforce, Google, and an AI startup. Passionate about early childhood education as she feels it as lifework, she has visited Reggio Emilia City in Italy, to study the Reggio Emilia Approach directly at Reggio Children, observing local nurseries and schools. As a certified Yoga instructor and learning wellness with holistic childhood education, Takako and the team integrate wellness into the holistic educational philosophy for both children and families, with plans to expand Wells’ impact across the world.
Overview
| Name of the school | Wells International Preschool |
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| Address | 4-3-10-1, Yuigahama, Kamakura City, Kanagawa Pref. Japan |
| Opening schedule | Pre open on Jan 2025, Open on Apr 2025 |
| Target Age Group | 3 years to 6 years old |
| Open hours | 9:00 - 17:00 (After school 14:30 - 17:00) |
| Capacity | 25 |