Sapporo, November 3, 2025 – Eight staff members, including seven teachers and one administrative employee, resigned en masse from Sapporo Baika Kindergarten, a private facility in Sapporo’s Minami Ward, effective October 31, 2025.
Parents were informed of the resignations only on October 30, 2025, via a written notice distributed through the children, leading to widespread confusion regarding childcare arrangements starting November 4.
Explanation Meeting Held Amid Parental Concerns
The kindergarten held an explanation meeting for parents. The principal stated: “Due to my inadequate management, I have caused worry to many people, and I sincerely apologize. None of the resignation letters provided detailed reasons.”
Parents at the meeting sought clarity on future operations. One parent asked: “We want to know what the childcare system will be like from November 4 onward.” Another inquired: “How many staff resigned, and how many new staff have been hired?”
According to accounts from parents, the resignations were attributed to the principal’s alleged verbal abuse. The principal, however, denied the claims during an interview, stating: “There were no such statements. I do not accept that.”
One parent attending the meeting expressed doubt about continuing enrollment: “Even when asked to explain the circumstances, [the principal] said ‘I don’t know’ or ‘It somehow ended up like this.’ As a parent, the only question is whether it’s okay to keep sending the child here.”
Impact on Families
A parent of a child in the eldest class group said they plan to transfer their child, citing concerns over stability. “Leaving the child here is worrisome. Finding a new kindergarten requires a lot of effort, and the child will feel anxious having to start over. We wanted support for that,” the parent said.
The kindergarten stated it plans to continue operations by recruiting new staff. However, parents have reacted strongly, noting that details such as the number of new hires remain unclear.
The situation has caused ongoing unrest among families.
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