11.01.2014

Kindergartens nearby - An annoyance or social obligation?

Kindergartens and nursery schools are being build at a fast pace to tackle with the Japan's persistent low birth rate and poor working conditions of employed parents, especially mums. Approximately 1,000 new child-care facilities were built last year.

However, there are some issues they have to face: how to get along with the locals. Nearly half of all nursery schools in Japan responded a poll that they have received a complaint from neighbours about the noise of the children. The more densely populated the area is, the more complaints are tend to be raised.

Some schools take measures to such as shutting curtains and limiting the time when children go out to the playground. It looks no easy to coexist with the locals, especially when the kindergarten is new. There is a concern for accidents of bicycles and elderly residents, as many parents send and pick up their kids on bicycle.

The municipal governments seem to be doing a poor job to arbitrate the disputes between residents and nursery schools. They just coerce the locals to give land and start construction right away without seeking for public understanding and cooperation.

It is true that the voices of children are loud, and it must be tiring to live in proximity to a kindergarten. Because the land is limited and the population density is high, few of us are able to live with nothing next to us.

I am not sure what we can do. Personally, I would move away, paying respect to the needs for a nursery, but following my desire to lead a quiet life. It will not be easy for people who have their own house in that area. I think it is another thing when one decides to purchase a house.

Maybe I am not old enough to appreciate the local ties within a community..

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