About TAIP
TAIP is dedicated to supporting international preschools and kindergartens in Tokyo by fostering collaboration, providing professional development, and advocating for high standards in early childhood education.
History of TAIP
The Tokyo Association of International Preschools (TAIP) was established on March 1, 2005, by a group of dedicated educators who recognized the need for a supportive network among international preschools and kindergartens in Tokyo. United by a shared vision to enhance early childhood education, they set out to create an association that would foster collaboration, professional growth, and greater visibility for international schools in the region.
In its early days, TAIP began as a small network aiming to share resources and support among member schools. Understanding that selecting the right school for one's child is a significant responsibility, TAIP committed to assisting parents by providing accessible information about available schools. Our Member Schools page lists all member institutions in alphabetical order, offering direct links to their websites.
Over the years, TAIP has grown into a robust association, bringing together a diverse community of international preschools, kindergartens, and supportive organizations. We have continued our initiatives of hosting workshops, professional development sessions, and networking events that have significantly impacted early childhood education in Tokyo. These efforts have fostered growth, innovation, and a commitment to quality education across the city and beyond.
Expanding Beyond Tokyo
In 2014, TAIP introduced a new membership category called Satellite Membership to better serve international preschools outside the greater Tokyo area. This category was created to extend TAIP's support to schools that share our mission and values but are located beyond Tokyo's immediate vicinity.
Satellite Members are integral to our community, helping to expand the reach of quality international early childhood education throughout Japan.
Empowering Schools of All Sizes
TAIP prides itself on offering equal support and opportunities to all its members, regardless of the size of the school. We do not endorse any particular program but instead focus on uniting educators and institutions dedicated to enriching early learning. The association's activities and services are funded through annual membership dues, as well as sponsored or co-sponsored workshops and events. This funding model ensures we can continue to support our members and contribute positively to the wider community.
Today, TAIP remains steadfast in its founding mission to support international preschools in the Tokyo area through networking, staff development, parent education, and publicity. As we look to the future, we are excited to continue our journey, fostering collaboration and excellence in early childhood education for the ultimate benefit of preschoolers and their families.
Leadership
Our dedicated leadership team guides the Tokyo Association of International Preschools with a shared vision of excellence in early childhood education. Comprising experienced educators and professionals, the Executive Board works collaboratively to support our members, foster community engagement, and advance our mission to enrich early learning across Tokyo and beyond.
2024 Board of Directors
Our Constitution
The Tokyo Association of International Preschools (TAIP) operates under a constitution that outlines our mission, values, and organizational structure. This foundational document guides our efforts to support international preschools and kindergartens in Tokyo and beyond.
Our mission is to support the collective interests of international preschools in the greater Tokyo area through networking, staff development, parent education, and publicity—all for the ultimate benefit of preschoolers. We are dedicated to fostering collaboration among educators and institutions, promoting excellence in early childhood education without endorsing any specific program.
TAIP offers several categories of membership to accommodate the diverse community we serve. Institutional Membersare international preschools within Tokyo committed to high-quality early childhood education. Satellite Members are international preschools outside the greater Tokyo area that share our mission and values. Associate Members include individuals, institutions, or companies that support early childhood education but are not preschools themselves.
Our association is governed by an Executive Board, which includes positions such as President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and other key roles. This leadership team ensures transparent and effective management of the organization, upholding our commitment to serving the needs of our members.
As a non-profit organization, TAIP uses all funds exclusively to support our activities and services for members and the community. These activities include providing general publicity on behalf of all member schools, maintaining a website with an online directory and links to member schools, offering professional development opportunities, and sponsoring workshops for educators and parents. We also facilitate the sharing of information, resources, and experiences among members to enhance the quality of early childhood education.
We invite you to read our full constitution to learn more about our guiding principles, organizational structure, and the ways we support international early childhood education.