The purpose of this paper is to provide suggestions on childcare in Japan, aiming to realize a sustainable society by referring to the advanced effort of the German state of Hamburg. In Germany, specific and clear guidelines for childcare toward a sustainable society are provided at the federal and state levels to promote actions in the childcare field; concrete measures, including the provision of professional trainings for learning and interaction among childcare workers, have been implemented to develop educational plans more smoothly. On the basis of these efforts in Hamburg, Japan needs to establish a system that allows citizens to initiate and continue transformations and actions toward a sustainable society from their own standpoints.

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During the United Nations (UN) Decade of Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) (2005–2014), the UN called for global educational resources to help create a more sustainable future. Specifically, ESD should be applied in all aspects of daily life, and a philosophical principle that supports such practices is necessary for fruition. To this end, this study examines American philosopher Nel Noddings’ theory of care, as one such principle in support of ESD practices, and considers several cases in the field of early childhood education and care. The findings reveal that Noddings’ theory is a promising principle that can be effectively applied in ESD practices, especially in everyday life.

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Resources of the Earth are limited; this is a serious issue that we all have to keenly address. To this end, activities toward sustainable development goals(SDGs)have been getting considerable momentum around the world. Biodiversity is the basis of the SDGs and its conservation is an important issue for humans. In this context, it is important to appreciate life; however, an increasing number of people are reluctant to touch even small creatures such as cicadas, grasshoppers, and frogs. Children can vividly realize various living organisms by touching them. Through such an actual experience, children can come across many stories about life and death. In order to facilitate this process, a healthy environment surrounding living organisms is essential for enriching children’s experiences. In addition, children’s attitude toward life is nurtured by caregiver’s normative behaviors and by dialogue between caregivers and children. Through a case study, this paper focuses on children’s touching activities with living organisms and discusses how childcare should be provided so that they become familiar with living organisms and move their hearts to the existence of living organisms.

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