Nishiyama Inouchi Nursery School ~Nursery Locker Edition~

Name of the school	Nishiyama Inouchi Nursery School
Delivery Date	August 2017
Target/Item	Lockers and tables for 1-5 year olds

Furniture for nursery schools [Reason for introduction]

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Nishiyama Inouchi Nursery School was built in Nagaokakyo, Kyoto using CRT (a new structure made of laminated wood). The nursery is filled with the scent of wood, as it uses cedar wood from Kyoto. During the construction of the nursery school building, we held a meeting at our Kobe store to see the actual product, and we made an order for storage lockers and an original clock.

Movable storage lockers

The first condition was that the locker should be easy to move even by female nursery teachers, and should be fixed in place so that it doesn't move around when not in use. When choosing casters for the locker, we chose ones that were durable and would absorb noise when moving. They have now become a standard for storage lockers and toy shelves at Nakayoshi Library.

I would like a locker with a wider depth.

The wooden storage lockers were made deep enough to store clothes, so the depth is 45cm, and the lockers with casters are stable. Each row can store two people, and the drawers are centrally placed. The opening can hold storage boxes designated by the school.

Wooden clock

The clock in the lunchroom where all the children gather was the focus of attention. It was made entirely out of wood, with animals instead of numbers. "For children who can't yet read the clock, I think pictures are easier to understand, like when you become a pig, it's time for dinner," said the head teacher. By the way, the clock at 9 o'clock is a whale. It's also easy to remember with a song.

Wooden plates in each room

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Nishiyama Inouchi Nursery School does not separate rooms by age. By caring for children of different ages together, communication skills improve.

The main divisions are room plates attached to the pillars. All of them are original and cute.

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We don't use any coloring on the wood, so we use about 10 different kinds of wood to create a natural finish. It will be fun to watch the color change over time.

The benefits of using wood in childcare environments

Nishiyama Inouchi Nursery School's building is made of Kyoto cedar, with a CRT structure. The Nakayoshi Library also features cypress tables ,chairs , lockers, etc. All of the building is made from domestic materials. As you enter the entrance, you will first see a large wooden staircase leading up to the second floor. You can feel the wood all over your body. Cypress and cedar are softer than foreign materials, so children can walk barefoot for long periods of time without putting too much strain on them. They are also the most suitable materials for Japan's hot and humid climate, so they will dissipate moisture when the room is dry, and will absorb moisture and swell when it is humid.

This is proof that wood continues to live in its natural state even after it has turned into lumber. What's even better is that it is not painted with organic solvents such as urethane paint. If wood is coated with paint on its surface, it will no longer be able to breathe and will not be able to perform its original functions. In that sense, Nishiyama Inouchi Nursery School has created a space that truly incorporates wood in its natural state.