Nihonmachi Little Friends
1830 Sutter St, San Francisco 94115
Nihonmachi Little Friends (NLF) is a private, nonprofit childcare center with a mission to provide Japanese/English bilingual, educational childcare in a multicultural context for preschool through elementary school-aged children from throughout the San Francisco Bay Area. Located in San Francisco’s historic Japantown, NLF is committed to providing high-quality, affordable child development services that foster a child’s self-esteem and confidence. Using a partnership among teachers, students, and their families, NLF promotes a stimulating learning environment that encourages children to develop to their full potential and become active participants in their communities.
At a glance
What this means
This school hasn't listed a specific teaching philosophy — ask on a tour how they structure the day.
Full immersion means most of the day is conducted in Japanese Immersion, so children absorb the language naturally. It's normal for kids to understand little at first — they pick it up quickly.
Tuition shown is as of 2024 and may have changed — confirm with the school.
Good questions to ask on a tour
- 1Can you walk me through a typical day from drop-off to pickup?
- 2What are the exact drop-off and pickup times, and is there any flexibility?
- 3Beyond the listed tuition, what other fees should I expect (application, deposit, materials, field trips)?
- 4How do you handle the transition for children starting mid-year or moving up from a younger classroom?
- 5What is your potty-training policy, and how do you support children who are still learning?
- 6How do you handle discipline, conflict between children, and big feelings?
- 7How much of the day is in Japanese Immersion, and do children need any prior exposure to the language?
- 8How does the ELFA voucher process work with your program?
- 9What is your application timeline, and when do families typically hear back?
- 10How large is each class, and what is the teacher-to-child ratio?