I participated in a briefing session for prospective candidates for the Nerima Ward Assembly election. My son is on the waiting list for preschool (although Nerima Ward claims that there are no children on the waiting list). Since we were attending the meeting as a couple, our child was taken care of for the first time by a family support service. There were so many people that additional desks and chairs were lined up one after another. It was sobering to see so many prospective candidates. It was a bit like a college class and I felt a bit nostalgic.
When I went to pick up my child, who was being watched by a family support worker, she was crying at first, but her mood changed once she went outside and she was playing happily with a good child after that. Nerima Ward claims to have no waiting children, but in reality, there are many hidden children waiting for care. I was reminded of the importance of creating an environment where working parents can leave their children with peace of mind.
