(The original blog post is written by Aki Hase, Executive Director of Nobel, in Japanese, and summarized in English by Joel Yue Lyu at World in You. World in You has been collaborated with Nobel to promote global partnership for social impact.)

Nobel's home-based childcare service, dedicated to providing exceptional care for sick children, has spent the past few years developing a comprehensive pattern language to enhance their childcare quality. This effort stems from their belief that vibrant and enthusiastic staff are key to their success.

Four Methods for Improved Childcare

Nobel has identified four primary methods to deepen the understanding of home-based childcare:

1. Utilizing and popularizing pattern language
2. Upgrading the "Sukatto Committee"
3. Optimizing learning
4. Expanding public understanding of home-based childcare

This article explains (1)utilizing and popularizing pattern language.

The Pattern Language Approach

Since 2021, Nobel has worked with Creative Shift Inc. to develop a pattern language—a method that distills expert knowledge into actionable "patterns" or tips. This process involved interviewing staff to extract insights, resulting in 49 initial patterns, which were refined down to 25 essential patterns over two years.

Developing a pattern language (from Nobel's original post)

Pattern Example: Observing as is

One key pattern, "Observing as is," emphasizes removing preconceived notions to truly understand and respond to the child in front of the caregiver. This method encourages observing children without assumptions, allowing caregivers to better respond to the child's needs and interests, ultimately fostering a sense of security and satisfaction in the child.

Image of Pattern 3- Observing as is (from Nobel's original post)

Continuous Improvement and Sharing

Nobel staff engage in pattern language learning during non-childcare days, sharing and discussing these patterns to reflect on and improve their practices. This collaborative learning environment helps ensure the quality of care remains consistently high.

Through these efforts, Nobel has articulated their strengths and created a dynamic learning environment, continually enhancing the quality of their childcare services.