Parenting

Pregnancy

Boshi Techo-Parent and child (Maternal and child) health handbook

If you find that you are pregnant, you should submit a "pregnancy notification" to the city hall, whereupon you will receive a  "Boshi Techo-parent and child health handbook (maternal and child health handbook)". Maternal health and the baby's growth are recorded in this handbook.  Please keep it safe.
Contact: Kodomo Sodan-Kenko ka (Child Consultation & Health Division)
Opening hours: Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. (Reservation required.)
TEL: 098-939-1252
Required items

• (1) Pregnancy certificate *from the hospital
• (2) My Number Card or My Number notification card
• (3) Identification (Residence card, passport, or driver's license, etc.)

Health check for pregnant women

Pregnancy checkups are inexpensive. The health of the mother and baby is checked 14 times. "Pregnancy checkup coupons" received with "Boshi Techo-parent and child health handbook (maternal and child health handbook)" can be used at certain designated hospitals in Okinawa City.
Contact for inquiries: Kodomo Sodan-Kenko ka (Child Consultation & Health Division) - Maternal and child healthcare section
TEL: 098-939-1252

Hospitalization midwifery system (Subsidy for childbearing expense)

Anyone who cannot afford to be hospitalized for childbirth can be hospitalized at designated hospitals by receiving a subsidy for hospitalization. Income restrictions apply.
Contact for inquiries: Kodomo Katei ka (Children's Welfare Division)
TEL: 098-939-1212 (Extension No. 3196)

Childbirth

Birth notification

See the page on "Procedures & Notifications"

Childbirth and childcare lump-sum

See the page on "Medical & Health Care"

Instructional visits for new-born babies

A mid-wife or health nurse visits homes of babies up to 27 days old to provide instruction on breast-feeding and infant-rearing. These visits are free of charge.
Contact for inquiries: Kodomo Sodan-Kenko ka (Child Consultation & Health Division)
TEL: 098-939-1212 (Extension No. 2235)

Baby's health

Health checkups for infants

The infant's vital statistics and condition are checked. Free consultations on parenting are also available.
Information will be received from Okinawa City by post.

• (1) General health checkups for infants (4-5 months old, 9-10 months old)
• (2) Health checkups for 18-month-old babies (18-23 months old)
• (3) Health checkups for three-year-old children (3 years and 6 months old to 3 years and 11 months old)

Contact for inquiries: Kodomo Sodan-Kenko ka (Child Consultation & Health Division) - Maternal and child healthcare section

TEL: 098-939-1252

Vaccinations

Vaccinations are given to prevent disease. When you receive the information from Okinawa City by post, please ensure your babies get vaccinated.
If you have moved from another city or town, or your babies have been vaccinated overseas or on the base, please inform Kodomo Sodan-Kenko ka (Child Consultation & Health Division) - Vaccination section. If you do not report your child's status, Okinawa City cannot send information about vaccinations by post.
Contact for inquiries: Kodomo Sodan-Kenko ka (Child Consultation & Health Division)
TEL: 098-939-1212 (Extension No. 2235)

Preschool-aged children

Childcare facilities

There are facilities for children up to five years old, such as nurseries, certified childcare centers, and kindergartens. Children are looked after at these facilities on behalf of their parents if they are unable to look after the children at home due to work or sickness, etc.
Contact for inquiries: Hoiku-Yochien ka (Child Care/Kindergarten Division)
TEL: 098-939-1212 (Extension No. 3136, 3174)

Free preschool education and childcare

• (1) Free childcare and lunch are provided at these facilities for children from birth to two years old for households that are exempt from city residence tax. (Authorized nursery schools only)
• (2) Childcare is free for children from three to five years old.

*Lunch (other than staple food) provided at these facilities is only free in the following cases: (Kindergartens and authorized nursery schools only)
- Households with an annual income of less than ¥3.6 million
- Third child or later
Contact for inquiries: Hoiku-Yochien ka (Child Care/Kindergarten Division) - Admissions section
TEL: 098-939-1212 (Extension No. 3136, 3135)

Okinawa City Family Support Center

This organization is comprised of members who would like to receive and provide support for child care and support each other.
Dropping off and picking up children to/from nursing facilities, caring for children (students up to the sixth grade of elementary school), and providing assistance when guardians are sick or in case of emergency, etc. are available.

Okinawa City Family Support Center
TEL: 098-921-1234
Address: 3-15-5 Chuo, Okinawa City (along the Chuo Park Avenue)

Child-related subsidies

Child allowance

Those who are raising children up to graduation of junior high school (until the first March 31 after the child turns 15) are eligible to receive this allowance.
Please apply when the child is born, or upon moving to Okinawa City.
Further applications should be made whenever any additional children are born.
Contact for inquiries: Kodomo Katei ka (Children's Welfare Division) - Personnel handling child allowances
TEL: 098-939-1212 (Extension No. 3194, 3192)

Child-raising allowance

Those who are raising children up to 18 years old (until the first March 31 after the child turns 18) as single parents are eligible to receive this allowance.
People raising disabled children up to 19 years old as single parents are also eligible to receive this allowance.
Please contact Kodomo Katei ka (Children's Welfare Division) regarding eligibility, etc.
Contact for inquiries: Kodomo Katei ka (Children's Welfare Division) - Family support section
TEL: 098-939-1212 (Extension No. 3195-3197)

Special child-raising allowance

Those who are raising children with a certain level of physical or psychiatric disability up to 19 years old are eligible to receive this allowance.
Please contact Kodomo Katei ka (Children's Welfare Division) regarding eligibility, etc.
Contact for inquiries: Kodomo Katei ka (Children's Welfare Division)
TEL: 098-939-1212 (Extension No. 3197)

Medical subsidies for children

See the page on "Medical & Health Care".

Medical subsidies for single-parent families, etc.

See the page on "Medical & Health Care".

Okinawa City information on parenting support

OKIIKU (External link)
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