CHI 2025 Yokohana, JapanCHI 2025 Yokohana, Japan
X
facebook
LinkedIn
Instagram

Home » Travel » Childcare Support

Upcoming Deadlines

All times are in Anywhere on Earth (AoE) time zone. The submission site of each track will open approximately four weeks before its submission deadline.

Childcare Support

Kids Welcome! Information for Families

Here are the changes from last year:
Childcare services will change from free to paid, with a fee of JPY3,000 (¥3,000) per half day. This fee helps prevent last-minute cancellations and ensures the efficient use of limited resources. In the Yokohama area, English-compatible childcare facilities typically cost around ¥15,000 to ¥20,000 a day, making CHI25’s childcare service exceptionally affordable. It will be managed by experienced childcare staff specialized for this event venue, providing peace of mind for parents attending the conference.

CHI welcomes children 3 months and older to support parents in juggling their work and family obligations as best we can. Please note that daycare spots are limited (see below for more details).

Here you can find all the information for attending CHI with your children or if you need any child caregiving services, including:

If you have questions that we did not answer, please reach out to the Family Chairs: family@chi2025.acm.org

Attending CHI with Children

We have two types of attendance for children this year: conference venue and childcare. If your child(ren) will accompany you to the conference or need daycare please register them accordingly using the instructions and links below.

Daycare

We are happy to announce that we will be offering high-quality, affordable childcare during the conference days (Saturday – Thursday). Childcare will be available for children aged 3 months and above, starting at 8:30 AM and continuing until 5:30 PM. The cost is just ¥6,000 child per full day OR ¥3,000 child per half a day. This will be offered by ALPHA Corporation Inc. ALPHA Corporation, the exclusive childcare provider for CHI 2025 at PACIFICO Yokohama, has extensive experience in supporting childcare at international conferences in Japan. Certified as a licensed daycare facility under Japan’s Child Welfare Act, its team consists of highly trained and experienced staff.

At CHI, they will offer fun activities, a multitude of games, and toys for toddlers and older children alike but also a space to relax and calm down.

However, we are seeing unprecedented demand, and capacity is extremely limited. So we must give priority to those who have no other way of caring for their children (i.e., no spouse or caregiver) during the time that they will be presenting or need to be fully present. Please register by until 3pm(JST) on April 11.The childcare registration form may close earlier due to capacity limits, so we encourage you to sign up as soon as possible.

We will try to support attendees who have childcare needs on a first-come-first-serve basis. Children not using daycare can accompany their parents as needed, free of charge (see below).

Child registration next steps for those who need CHILDCARE because they have no other option

  1. Please fill out the following childcare registration form by APRIL 11. Childcare registration form is currently under preparation. We will announce it on this website as soon as it is ready. Again, although we would love to provide childcare for everyone, we cannot (at this time) guarantee childcare for those who do have other options, such as a spouse, caregiver, etc.
  2. When you do sign up, the company (ALPHA Corporation) that is providing this service will also follow up with a registration form so that you can reserve slot(s) for your child(ren).

If you have questions that we did not answer, please reach out using the contact information below:

Alpha Corporation, Inc.
Coordinator：Yokota-san, Fujita-san
Email: yoyaku@alpha-co.com

In addition, we have identified some services (listed below) that you can try to access on your own. Please note that CHI 2025 will not be responsible for these external services or any arrangements made with them.

Option 1. Matching site for Babysitters

Option 2. Hotels with Childcare Services around Yokohama Station

Option 3. Hotels with Childcare Services within a 30-minute to 1-hour train ride to the venue (“JR Sakuragi-station（桜木町駅”).

If we can identify any others who can provide ad hoc childcare, we’ll be sure to let you know.

For Workshop attendees: We will have childcare during the workshops. Please use the same registration form above.

Nursing Room

A nursing corner will be available in the childcare room for anyone who has registered for the conference or daycare. Additionally, a dedicated nursing room is accessible to all attendees at PACIFICO Yokohama. For more information, visit: PACIFICO Yokohama Nursing Room Details.

Bringing your own Caregiver

There may be circumstances when caretakers need to access the conference venue (e.g. to bring the baby for nursing). If this is the case for your family, please reach out to the Family Chairs: family@chi2025.acm.org. We will verify the identity of pickup persons before they enter the childcare room, so please ensure they bring a valid ID. Only pre-registered pickup persons listed with ALPHA Corporation are permitted to drop off or pick up children on behalf of the parents during sessions.

Conference venue access for Children

Children that are not using daycare but may need to accompany or meet up with their parents for nursing, etc. can enter the venue free of charge without any registration.

Networking Opportunities for Families

At CHI, we want to help you connect with other parents to exchange experiences about challenges, find a peer group to brainstorm solutions and learn from each other. For that, we are planning an in-person event at the conference where you can join with or without your family to connect with other parents in our community. More about this in a separate blog post soon.

There is an online Slack Channel for parents at CHI. Email the family chairs for an invitation at family@chi2025.acm.org.

Yokohama with Kids: Resources for Families

Here is a list of family-friendly spots in Yokohama selected by Family Chairs and ChatGPT.

Cup Noodles Museum Yokohama: A place to create your own custom Cup Noodles and learn about the joy of food. Note: Japanese Only (English, Chinese, Korean guidebooks are available.)

Yokohama Anpanman Children’s Museum: A theme park where kids can experience the world of Anpanman with shows and attractions. Note: English and Chinese Brochure support are available.

Aka-Renga Soko (Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse): A historic building with shopping, dining, and seasonal events.Note: English, Chinese and Korean support are available.

Konica Minolta PLANETARIA YOKOHAMA: A planetarium offers immersive stargazing experiences with planet-themed seating and cutting-edge visuals. (Note: English, Chinese and Korean pamphlets are available.)

Hakkeijima Sea Paradise: An aquarium and amusement park complex, featuring marine life encounters and fun rides. Note: Japanese Only (English, Chinese, Korean websites & guidebooks are available)

Zoorasia: An unique zoo which employs as few fences as possible so that visitors can see the animals living in an environment similar to their natural habitat. Note: English, Chinese and Korean Brochure support are available.

Yokohama Landmark Tower Sky Garden: A viewing floor at 273 meters with breathtaking views, ideal for family memories.

Yokohama Marine Tower: Enjoy panoramic views from the renovated tower and explore the nearby park.

Yokohama Chinatown: A place known for its diverse range of Chinese restaurants in Japan.

Pokémon Center Yokohama: This store offers plush toys, games, and other products featuring Pokémon characters. In Yokohama’s bay area, there are various Pokémon-themed spots, such as Pokéfuta (Pokémon manhole covers) and an original Pokémon mailbox. Enjoy these along with information from “Yokohama Pokémon Spot Sightseeing Map”.

FAQ

1. What is the cost of childcare?
The childcare fee is JPY 6,000 (¥6,000) per child per full day OR JPY 3,000 (¥3,000) per child per half-day.

The half-day time slots are as follows:

  • 8:30 AM – 1:00 PM (¥3,000/half-day)

  • 1:00 PM – 5:30 PM (¥3,000/half-day)

  • 8:30 AM – 5:30 PM (¥6,000/full-day)

Regardless of whether your child stays for just 1 hour or the full 4/8 hours within the time slot, the full half-day/full day fee of ¥3,000/¥6,000 will apply.

2. Are meals & snacks included in this fee?

Meals and snacks are not provided, so parents are required to prepare them. If your child will be in childcare at 12:00, please provide lunch, and if care extends past 3:00 PM, please also provide a snack. We will serve the food you bring, but homemade meals are not allowed due to the risk of foodborne illness. Instead, we ask that you provide store-bought food. Additionally, we kindly request you to pick up your children during lunchtime whenever possible.


3. What time does childcare close? If I am late picking up my child, is there a fee?

Childcare ends at 5:30 PM (JST). Please ensure that you pick up your child on time, as there is no option to extend childcare past this time. If you are late picking up your child, an additional fee (equivalent to the half-day rate) may apply.

4. What should I pack for the day for my child?

Please bring the following items as needed:

  • Store-bought lunch (if your child will be in care at 12:00)

  • Store-bought snacks and drinks (if your child will be in care at 3:00 PM; note that konjac jelly, candy, and gum are prohibited)

  • Formula milk, baby bottles, and hot water

  • Diapers and wet wipes

  • A change of clothes

  • A towel for hand-drying

  • A blanket or bath towel for naps (for those who need it only. a jacket or similar item is also acceptable)

  • Several plastic bags for soiled clothing

Please note that we cannot accept frozen breast milk, items that require cooking, or homemade food items.

5. May I stop by and nurse my child?

Yes, you may. A section of the childcare room will be partitioned to create a nursing area. In addition, within the Pacifico Yokohama building, you may breastfeed in the “Baby Lounge” and in a private breastfeeding space called “Mamaro.”

6. Is there a refrigerator to store milk/breast milk?

As this is a temporary childcare room, there are no facilities such as a microwave or refrigerator. Please bring food and drinks that can be stored at room temperature (only store-bought items are allowed).

7. May I pack my own snacks/lunch for my child?

Yes, you may. We do not provide meals, so please either pick up your child during lunchtime or bring lunch. We kindly request that you pick up your child during lunch whenever possible. Additionally, you may bring snacks or drinks, and we will provide them to your child. You will be asked to complete a form to declare any food or drink you are bringing. Note: Please only bring store-bought food items, as homemade items are not allowed.

8. My child has food allergies, where can I note those?

If your child has food allergies, please declare them in the remarks section when applying for childcare. If allergies are not declared, we may have to refuse childcare services. Additionally, when you drop off your child on the day of the event, the staff will confirm the allergies with you face-to-face. Your child will have a name sticker, which will be highlighted in red to indicate the allergy so that everyone is aware. Parents are also asked to check that their child’s name is correctly written on all drinks and food they bring.

9. What is the age range for childcare services?

The childcare service is available for children aged 3 months to 12 years old.

10. What if my child needs a nap?

Nap mats will be laid out within the childcare room, and your child will nap in that area. All necessary bedding is provided, so there is no need to bring your own blankets or bedding.

11. What activities will be provided for the children?

There are no special activities planned, but Alpha Corporation will provide activities such as storytime with picture books, coloring books, and origami. For older children, games like Othello, Shogi, Jenga, and The Game of Life will also be available.

12. Children can enter the venue without registration. How does this work?

Anyone can enter the venue without registration. Attending CHI – sessions, breaks, keynote, exhibit hall, receptions, etc. – requires registration. Children who are simply going to the childcare area or meeting their parent (outside of CHI activities) do not need to be registered.

13. Can I bring my child’s favorite toy?

We cannot be responsible for any damage or loss of toys brought from home. To avoid any potential issues, we do not recommend bringing toys.

14. May I check on my child during breaks?

Due to the group childcare setting, parents are not permitted to enter the childcare area in order to maintain a focused environment for the children and ensure consideration for others. We appreciate your understanding.

Note: Please note that nursing is an exception, and parents may enter the designated partitioned area to nurse their child.

15. Do I need to provide ID (such as a passport) when picking up my child?

No, you do not need to provide ID such as a passport. Instead, when you drop off your child, you will be given a handover card issued by Alpha Corporation. This card will be collected when you pick up your child, and your child will be handed back to you. If the person picking up the child is different from the one who dropped them off, we ask that you take a photo of the handover card with your smartphone to facilitate the handover.

16. What are the guidelines for using childcare?

  1. Please ensure that your child has used the restroom before arriving.

  2. If your child has a fever (37.5°C or higher), an infectious disease, or if the childcare staff determines that your child is unsuitable for group care, we may refuse to accept your child.

  3. In case of emergency, we will contact you via your mobile phone. Please be sure to provide an emergency contact number on the “Childcare Application Form” and respond promptly if contacted.

  4. If your child has allergies or requires special considerations during care, please inform us at the time of application. Failure to do so may result in our inability to accept your child.

  5. Childcare staff are unable to administer any medications.

  6. We kindly ask that you strictly adhere to the scheduled drop-off and pick-up times.

  7. Please label all of your child’s belongings. Alpha Corporation cannot be held responsible for any unlabeled items.

  8. To maintain a calm environment for the children and to support infection control measures, we kindly ask parents to refrain from entering the room except for drop-off, lunchtime pick-up, nursing your child, or pick-up at the end of care. Additionally, please limit reception to one parent per family.

17. What should I do if I need to cancel my reservation?

To change or cancel your reservation, please contact the designated representatives at Alpha Corporation. If you do not notify us and fail to use the service within 30 minutes of your reservation start time, your booking may be considered canceled.

For same-day cancellations, please contact the email listed on the application form.

Contact Information:

Alpha Corporation, Inc.

Coordinator: Yokota-san, Fujita-san

Email: yoyaku@alpha-co.com

18. What financial support options are available?

Apply for the Gary Marsden Travel Award if you need financial support beyond what is provided by CHI. GMTA covers for example additional childcare at home or travel companion tickets for caregivers of infants. See here for details: https://sigchi.submittable.com/


Yuki Igarashi, Asako Kimura, Kanayo Ogura and Anna Yokokubo, CHI 2025 Family Chairs

↑