Yoko Kobayashi

Yoko Kobayashi explores one question across different roles: how can society create better environments for and with young children? Over the past 25 years, she has worked across public policy, community initiatives, research, and now daily childcare practice, believing that meaningful change happens by connecting these different worlds. After more than two decades in policy consulting, Yoko became a nursery teacher while pursuing graduate research on children's experience of time and unstructured play. She also founded a nonprofit organization inspired by her own parenting experience, where children, parents, and local residents learn and grow together. Through this work, she has come to see parenting and early childhood education as deeply connected: supporting children's development also means supporting the well-being, confidence, and growth of parents and other adults. She looks forward to exchanging ideas with participants from around the world and learning how different societies bridge care, education, and community.