NEWS

Regarding childcare support using babysitters for the 2026 fiscal year


To support the childcare and work-life balance of faculty and staff working at Hokkaido University, the university will issue discount coupons that can be used when utilizing babysitting services.
This project utilizes the "Babysitter Dispatch Service Discount Coupon" issued by the National Childcare Service Association, a public interest incorporated association commissioned by the "Children and Families Agency." By using this discount coupon, you can receive a discount on the daily fee for babysitting services.
This program consists of two types of discount coupons: a regular discount coupon and a discount coupon for multiple births. Teachers and staff involved in childcare should refer to the following:Please read the terms of use carefully.Please feel free to use it.

Click here for the Terms of Use (PDF)

*Discount coupons will be issued electronically.A device capable of reading QR codes is required to use this service.

① Childcare support program using babysitters (regarding the use of regular discount coupons)

Target users ◆Applicants must be faculty or staff members of Hokkaido University (including non-regular staff; students are not eligible) and be the guardian of the child in question.
*Limited to members of the Hokkaido University Mutual Aid Association or Social Insurance.
*The user must be working on a workday or similar day, and must be in a situation where it would be difficult to work without using the service (including returning to work) due to their spouse's employment, illness (including hospitalization for childbirth), job-seeking activities, schooling, vocational training, etc., or because they are a single-parent family.
Age of the children ◆Children from 0 years old to the 3rd grade of elementary school (must be living with the eligible person)
◆Children up to the 6th grade of elementary school are also eligible if they require care for healthy development (e.g., they have been issued a physical disability certificate or intellectual disability certificate).
◆When using the service to help children return to work, it is intended for preschool children who are not yet enrolled in compulsory education.
Discount amount ◆Up to 2 tickets per eligible child per day (2,300 yen per ticket, maximum 4,600 yen)
(For example, if there are two siblings, 4 sheets per day)
- This applies to services where the usage fee is ¥2,300 or more per use (number of tickets used).
- This does not include fees associated with the provision of services, such as membership fees, transportation costs, cancellation fees, and insurance fees.
- The user is responsible for any amount exceeding the subsidy limit.
Discount coupons are limited to two per eligible child per day (per use), up to 24 per household per month, and up to 280 per year.
usage period September 8, 4 - January 1, 9 (scheduled)
*Discount coupons are scheduled to be issued on April 24th. Use of coupons from April 1st, 2026 until issuance will be retroactively applied. Please contact the relevant department for details on how this will be handled.
*Due to a limited number of issuances, issuance may be terminated even within the validity period if the maximum number of uses is reached.
*This program is a subsidized program of the Agency for Children and Families. If the budget limit for this subsidy is reached, or if the university's budget limit is reached, the grant may be terminated even within the usage period.
Discount coupon handling businesses ◆Babysitting service providers are limited to those designated by the implementing organization as providers that handle discount coupons.
*Please ensure that the user (university faculty/staff) themselves signs the contract with the babysitting service provider in advance.
Target services ◆ Childcare within the home
◆Transportation between home and childcare facilities
*This service cannot be used for childcare outside the user's home, such as in baby rooms, group childcare, event childcare, hospital childcare, or at a babysitter's home.
*This service does not cover transportation between childcare facilities or simultaneous transportation of multiple infants or toddlers from different households.
*The discount coupon can only be used for picking up and dropping off children at after-school childcare facilities that are registered with the municipality as part of the national "After-School Child Sound Development Program".

② Childcare support program using babysitters (regarding the use of discount coupons for multiple births)

Target users ◆Applicants must be faculty or staff members of Hokkaido University (including non-regular staff; students are not eligible) and be the guardian of the child in question.
*Limited to members of the Hokkaido University Mutual Aid Association or Social Insurance.
*Available even on days when the user is not working (to relieve childcare fatigue and refresh).
Age of the children ◆Children from 0 years old to pre-school age (including children other than those born as multiples; must reside with the eligible person).
Discount amount ◆For two children born before compulsory education: 9,000 yen/day (per session)
◆For families with three or more children born before compulsory education: 18,000 yen/day (per session)
*Can be used in the inner frame, but only for single use.
This program applies to services with a usage fee of 2,300 yen or more per day (per session). It does not include fees associated with the service, such as membership fees, transportation costs, cancellation fees, or insurance. Any usage amount exceeding the subsidy limit will be the responsibility of the user.
- This coupon cannot be used on the same day as other discount coupons issued by the implementing organization.
- Discount coupons can be used up to one per day, up to two per household per year for the 9,000 yen discount for multiple births, and up to four per household per year for the 18,000 yen discount for multiple births.
usage period September 8, 4 - January 1, 9 (scheduled)
*Discount coupons are scheduled to be issued on April 24th. Use of coupons from April 1st, 2026 until issuance will be retroactively applied. Please contact the relevant department for details on how this will be handled.
*Due to a limited number of issuances, issuance may be terminated even within the validity period if the maximum number of uses is reached.
*This program is a subsidized program of the Agency for Children and Families. If the budget limit for this subsidy is reached, or if the university's budget limit is reached, the grant may be terminated even within the usage period.
Discount coupon handling businesses ◆Babysitting service providers are limited to those designated by the implementing organization as providers that handle discount coupons.
*Please ensure that the user (university faculty/staff) themselves signs the contract with the babysitting service provider in advance.
Target services ◆ Childcare within the home
◆Transportation between home and childcare facilities
*This service cannot be used for childcare outside the user's home, such as in baby rooms, group childcare, event childcare, hospital childcare, or at a babysitter's home.
*This service does not cover transportation between childcare facilities or simultaneous transportation of multiple infants or toddlers from different households.
*The discount coupon can only be used for picking up and dropping off children at after-school childcare facilities that are registered with the municipality as part of the national "After-School Child Sound Development Program".

Document submission and inquiry contact information

Please submit any necessary documents to the contact person listed below.
If you have any questions,Please contact us at the email address below.

Diversity and Inclusion Promotion Headquarters / Diversity and Inclusion Promotion Office
mail_outlinebs-hu[at]dei.hokudai.ac.jp

★Please use the following subject line for your email: [Department Name/User Name] Babysitter Discount Coupon Registration Application.

If you are sending certificates or other documents via internal mail, please address them to "Internal Mail Number 59, Diversity and Inclusion Promotion Headquarters".
*If you wish to have an in-person consultation, please send us a reservation email in advance.

*Please refer to the Terms of Use (Japanese and English versions) below for details.

Terms of Use (PDF)

Discount coupon application form (Word docx)

Application Guidelines (PDF)

Application Form (Word docx)

FAQ

Please also check the frequently asked questions on the ACSA discount coupon portal site, specifically "How to use discount coupons" and "Discount coupons for multiple births."https://bs-ticket.jp/faq/).

Q: I understand the discount coupons are electronic. Is there a manual for this?
Regarding how to use electronic discount coupons:Discount Coupon Screen Operation Manual for Fiscal Year 7.
Q: Do I need to provide documentation to prove that my spouse is in a situation where they are unable to work?
You will only be required to submit the certificate specified in the application guidelines the first time you use the service. Subsequent uses do not require submission. Please circle "Second time onwards" in the title of the discount coupon application form and submit only the application form. However, please cooperate in ensuring proper operation so that you can explain the situation if the implementing organization requests proof.
Q: If the purpose of using this service is to return to work, is it necessary to submit documents equivalent to a copy of the attendance record, such as a certificate of completion of workplace training?
There is no prescribed format for cases where an attendance record is not available, but please submit something that can prove that you attended the course. (A certificate of attendance is not always required, as it is not always necessary.)
Q: Is it permitted to use this service during maternity leave or childcare leave?
As this program is intended to support employment, it cannot be used during periods considered leave, such as maternity leave or childcare leave. However, if you are raising a child who is not yet in compulsory education and are using this service to return to work, you may use one discount coupon per household per day, up to four coupons per year.
Q: What specific documents should I submit if I am undergoing medical treatment for an illness, as they "show that I am undergoing medical treatment for an illness"?
We request that you submit a copy of your medical certificate, etc. Please contact us for details.
Q: Is proof of cohabitation required?
A. It is not necessary. Please cooperate in proper operation so that you can explain if the implementing organization requests proof.
Q: Is proof required if the child meets the requirements for care that promotes healthy development?
A. It is not necessary. Please cooperate with proper procedures, such as presenting your disability certificate, if requested by the implementing organization.
Q: Can those eligible for the discount coupon for multiple births also use the regular discount coupon?
A: You can use it, but you cannot use a regular discount coupon and a discount coupon for multiple births on the same day.
Q: My spouse's workplace (outside of this university) has also started a similar program. Is it okay for both my spouse and I to use it?
You may use both services. However, please keep track of the number of services you use and strive to stay within the monthly limit per household. If the sitter company or the National Childcare Service Association confirms that you have exceeded the monthly limit, your service will be canceled.
Q: The terms state that this service cannot be used for childcare outside the user's home. Is it possible to request childcare at my parents' home (who are elderly and unable to provide childcare)?
This service is limited to requests for childcare within the home or transportation to and from childcare facilities (excluding extracurricular activities) (transportation between childcare facilities is not permitted). Therefore, it cannot be used for childcare outside of your home.