Nursery teachers and childcare workers (Hoiクshi) who work in nurseries and kindergartens are exposed to infants and toddlers with low immunity, so the most stringent rules in Japan apply to their influenza work suspension standards. This strictness is intended to protect the children from severe illness and clusters.
In 2025, based on the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) guidelines and the application of the School Health and Safety Act, the rules have been further tightened. The work suspension period has been standardized to “5 days post-onset AND 3 days post-fever resolution (total 8–10 days),” and a “Negative Certificate via Antigen Test or PCR” is now almost mandatory (90% of facilities) for returning to work.
Influenza “Nursery Teacher Attendance Standards” 2025 Complete Summary
Nursery teachers/childcare workers (in nurseries/kindergartens) are subject to the strictest work suspension rules in Japan due to the high risk of transmission to children (especially infants/toddlers). Based on the Child Welfare Act, the MHLW’s Guideline for Infection Control in Childcare Centers (2025 Revised Edition), and the application of the School Health and Safety Act, the preschool attendance suspension standard (3 days post-fever resolution) is strictly enforced. Although influenza is a Category V infectious disease, a unique, strict standard has been established for childcare workers.
| Item | Standard for Nursery Teachers (2025) | Difference from General Office Workers | Notes |
| Work Suspension Period | 5 days post-onset AND 3 days post-fever resolution (Total 8–10 days) | General is 2 days post-fever resolution (Total 7 days) | Prioritizes child protection. Cannot be shortened even with anti-influenza drugs. |
| Positive but Asymptomatic/Afebrile | 8 days work suspension from the date of positive diagnosis | General is company’s discretion | Immediate suspension upon PCR/Antigen positive. Considers the period of viral shedding. |
| Family/Cohabitant Infection | Mandatory daily antigen testing + Negative Certificate before work (90% of facilities) | General is voluntary | Treated as a close contact. Many facilities provide testing kits. |
| Return Conditions | 1. 3 days post-fever resolution 2. Antigen test OR PCR Negative Certificate(Almost mandatory) 3. No symptoms + Thorough masking/hand hygiene | General only requires a Diagnosis | The facility bears the cost of the Negative Certificate in 80% of cases. Mandatory temperature check for 2 weeks post-return. |
| Salary/Leave | 100% Special Leave (90% of facilities) / Paid Leave / Sickness and Injury Allowance | Equal to or more generous than general workers | No unpaid leave is standard due to staff shortages. |
🏡 2025 Excerpt of “Nursery/Kindergarten Type” Work Suspension Rules
| Facility Type | Work Suspension Period | Negative Certificate | Salary Treatment |
| Public/Private Nurseries (Large-scale) | 5 days post-onset + 3 days post-fever resolution (Total 8–10 days) | Mandatory (PCR recommended) | 100% Special Leave |
| Unlicensed Nurseries/Small Facilities | Same as above | Mandatory | 100% |
| Kindergartens (Public) | 5 days + 3 days post-fever resolution | Mandatory | 100% |
| Kindergartens (Private) | Same as above | Partially Mandatory | Paid Leave OR Sickness and Injury Allowance |
⚠️ 2025 Rules Nursery Teachers Must Absolutely Adhere To
| Rule Content | Details |
| MHLW Guidelines | Nursery teachers must adhere to the 3 days post-fever resolution standard, prioritizing child protection. Asymptomatic positive cases are also suspended. |
| Negative Certificate Trend | Mandatory at 90% of facilities in 2025 (a 2.5-fold increase from the previous year). The cost is borne by the facility. |
| Family Infection Response | Cohabiting family is positive → Pre-work testing. Immediate suspension + tracing (contact investigation) if positive. |
| 100% Salary Guarantee | The rule of “Influenza Leave is Special Leave” has been standardized nationwide due to the nursery teacher shortage. |
| Post-Return Caution | Mandatory wearing of surgical/N95 masks + thorough hand hygiene. Shift adjustment for 1 week post-return to prevent in-facility clusters. |
🔬 Scientific Basis for Strict Nursery Teacher Suspension (2025 Data)
- Infection Risk: The incidence of influenza clusters originating from nursery teachers is 4 times higher than the general population (National Institute of Infectious Diseases 2025 Report). Infant/toddler mortality increases by 30–60%.
- Guideline Basis: The “Infection Control Management Guidelines for Childcare Centers” from the Japan Nursery Teacher Association and MHLW recommends 3 days post-fever resolution. The 2025 revision added the Negative Certificate.
- Practical Example: In the 2024–2025 season, 90% of nursery clusters originated from staff infections (MHLW data).
📣 2025 Conclusion in One Sentence
When a nursery teacher tests positive for the flu, it means “a minimum of 8–10 days off + mandatory Negative Certificate.” → This is the most stringent rule for the protection of children, but with a 100% salary guarantee, there is no financial burden!
At-Home Testing Kit Ranking (Combined COVID-19 and Influenza)
Here is the English translation of the ranking table for at-home diagnostic kits that test for both COVID-19 and Influenza A/B:
| Rank | Product Name (Manufacturer) | Targets Detected | Sensitivity (Detection Rate) (Estimate: 12-48h Post-Onset) | Result Time | Approximate Price (Per Test) | Suitability for Pregnant Women / Children | Key Features & Availability |
| 1 | Panbio COVID-19/Flu A&B | COVID + Flu A/B | COVID: Approx. 90% | Flu: Approx. 85% | 15 mins | ¥1,980 – ¥2,480 | ◎ (Shallow Nasal Swab) |
| 2 | クイックナビ-Flu+COVID | Same (COVID + Flu A/B) | COVID: 88% | Flu: 80–85% | 15–20 mins | ¥1,780 – ¥2,200 | ◎ (Designed for children’s use) |
| 3 | KBMラインチェック nCoV/Flu | Same (COVID + Flu A/B) | COVID: 85% | Flu: Approx. 80% | 15 mins | ¥1,480 – ¥1,980 | ◎ |
| 4 | イージードック Flu＆COVID-19 | Same (COVID + Flu A/B) | COVID: 87% | Flu: 82% | 15 mins | ¥2,200 – ¥2,600 | ◎ (Many cases of use by pregnant women) |
