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CHILD CARE


Child Care Provider Referrals

Click Here for Childcare Subsidy Information

People Attentive to Children (PATCH)

PATCH is Hawaiʻi’s most comprehensive statewide childcare resource and referral agency offering Steps to Choosing Quality Child Care, Licensing and Accreditation for Providers, Child Care Options, Locating and Choosing Childcare, Preparing Your Child, and other Resource links. You can also check out PATCH’s website for more ideas on paying for childcare. Patch can be reached at (808) 839-1988. Visit the website at http://www.patchhawaiii.org

To apply you will need:

  • Your name
  • Mailing address
  • Child’s name
  • Child’s birthday
  • Desired area of childcare

PATCH will then mail you a childcare referral list with information about each provider and an explanation of the different types of childcare. Learn more about PATCH’s online description of childcare options here.

Provider Selection

It is best to call each provider, set up an interview, visit and observe. These websites will provide you with questions you should ask prospective providers. Locate and Choose Child Care from PATCH.

Safety Checklists for Choosing Child Care

AWARENESS is a must. Learn what to ask and what to look to for in order to select a qualified provider. There are two checklists to choose from. Pick the one that’s right for you. Take the checklists with you on visits. Visit Check Child Care Aware and the UH Center on the Family for more information.

Child Care Providers

HCAP and PACT
Two programs provide Early Head Start and Head Start on Oʻahu, HCAP and PACT.
Early Head Start (0-2) is a federally funded program, providing FREE, childcare services, early childhood education and related comprehensive services to parents with children ages 0 to 2 years old.

Head Start (3-5) is also a federally funded program, providing FREE, childcare to pre-school age children from low-income families.

Over 80 Head Start sites can be found island wide in elementary schools, high schools, churches and community parks. All childcare providers are military-certified or state-licensed.


Full-day (Hours 7am to 5pm) and half-day (8am to 12pm) childcare program options are available. If you qualify for the free half-day program, you are eligible to pay $380.00 per month for full-day ch
ildcare. *State and private tuition subsidies are available for eligible families.

Head Start accepts applications all year long. Every January they accept children ages 3 to 5 year old. In order to stay in the program you must re-apply every year. Application can be downloaded from the Internet. Child Care Connection can pay the $380.00.

To apply you will need:

  • Income Verification (pay stubs for past 12 months, tax returns etc.)
  • Copy of Child’s Birth Certificate
  • Adult TB clearance
  • Child TB Clearance
  • Copy of Child’s medical insurance card

Apply Early to both HCAP and PACT Early Head Start programs!
Pre Natal parents are welcome. Childcare subsidies are available but there is a wait list. To learn more about subsidy requirements for full or half-day enrollment please contact the PACT EHS/HS office at (808) 842-5996 or (808) 676-2790 and HCAP Oʻahu Head Start office at (808)
847-2400. Click here HCAP application to apply online or to download an application.

Child Care Centers and Preschools Around UH Mānoa

UH Mānoa Children's Center

The UH Mānoa Children’s Center provides early childhood education for children 2-5 years old. The Children’s Center is licensed and NAECP accredited. They are Child Care Connection eligible providers. For more information visit their website, or contact (808) 956-7963. To download and application from their website, scroll down to the "How to Apply" section.

Name
Contact
Ages
Hours
UH Mānoa Children’s Center
956-7963
2-5
8:00am-5:00pm
 
Mānoa Valley Church Preschool
988-3271
2.5-5.75
8:00am-4:00pm
Montessori Community Preschool
522-0244
2-12
7:30am-5: 30pm
St. Clement’s School
949-2082
3-5
7:30am-5:00pm
KCAA-Mother Rice Preschool
941-9414
2-5
7:00am-5:00pm
Olivet Baptist Preschool
949-7548
3-4
7:00am-5:00pm
Honolulu Christian Preschool
973-4340
3-5
7:00am-5: 30pm
Maryknoll Preschool
952-7100
4-5
7:50am-5:30pm
Playmate Daycare Preschool
536-6442
2.5-9
7:00am-5:00pm
Central Union Preschool
946-4025
2.5-5
7:00am-5: 30pm
The Early School
955-5881
2-5
7:00am-5: 30pm
University Avenue Baptist Preschool
947-5008
2.9-5
7:00am-5: 30pm
Moililil Honganji Preschool
946-4416
2.5-5.5

7:00am-5:15pm

Wesley United Methodist
732-3273
6 mo - 4
8:00am-5:30pm

Child Care at Community Colleges

Name
Contact
Ages
Hours
Kapiolani: Alani Children’s Center
4303 Diamond Head Road, Ilima 103, Honolulu, HI 96816-4421 Ph: 734-9394
2-5 years
7:30 am- 4:30 pm
Honolulu: Keiki Hau'oli Children's Center
845-9466
(please call for more information)
  3 months-
4 years
  7:30 am- 4:00 pm
Leeward: Child Care Center
455-0488 (Fall/Spring)
845-9466 (Summer)
3-5 years
7:45 am- 3:15 pm
Kauaʻi: Na Kama Pono Early Childhood Development Center
Ph/Fax: 245-8356
3-5 years
7:30 am- 4:30pm
Hawaiʻi: Child Care Center
974-7611
(please call for more information)
  18 months-
5 years
  7:30 am- 3:00 pm*
Maui: on-campus Head Start Center
Preschool 242-1057
MEO Head Start office 249-2988
  3-5 years
  7:50 am- 3:20 pm
*2 pm for toddler class

Other Child Care

Kamaʻaina Kids has many locations around the island. Contact for locations, hours, ages, tuition and more.

A+ Program is a child care program after school. You can call 737-5544 for more information on the A+ program.

Outer Island Early Head Start/Head Start

Kauai
Child and Family Service runs all Head Start programs on the Island of Kauai. Full-day and half-day Head Start programs are located on four different department of education (DOE) campuses island-wide. Head Start has open enrollment all year long. However, Apply Early and find out about subsidy options. Head Start is an age and income-qualifying program. To learn more about program requirements call Child and Family Services Enrollment Specialist at (808) 240-2823. For an application and further information about the program call Child and Family offices at (808) 245-5914.

Learn more about Child and Family Services Kauai. Click on program and then click on services by island to find information specific about Kauai.

Maui
Maui Economic Opportunity (MEO) offices provide residence to the Head Start program on the island of Maui. Apply Early for Head Start at the MEO office in February the year before you want to enroll your child in pre-school. The Head Start pre-school located on the Maui Community College campus, accepts children ages (3-5).

Head Start is an age and income-qualifying program. To learn more about program requirements call Maui Economic Opportunity (MEO) office (808) 249-2988 for an application and further information. Office is open from 7:15 am to 4:00 pm on weekdays.

Call Maui Head Start pre-school at (808) 242-1057 for more information. During the semester the pre-school is open from 7:50 am to 3:20 pm on weekdays.

Visit the website to learn more about Maui Head Start.

Financial Assistance For Child Care

Child Care Connection
This program helps low-income families pay for child-care services for children, ages newborn to 13 years old (click here to check your income eligibility). Applications are accepted year round; awards are based on family size, income and work or school activity. The application process takes approximately 30 days.

To Apply

Click on the link and scroll to Program Forms for the application. Child Care Connection is accessed through Child Care Connection Offices.

To fill out the appliation, you will need:

  • Your resident address
  • Childs birth certificate
  • Parent and child’s social security numbers
  • Past two months pay stubs OR school registration & schedule of classes

Once your application is complete, send it to the Child Care Connection Office nearest to your home. You can also visit any Child Care Connection Office and pick up an application.

Child Care Connection Subsidy Eligibility
The CCCH program is available to a wide range of families. Your family's gross monthly income (before taxes) cannot exceed 200% of the 2010 Federal Poverty Level (FPL) for Hawaii. However, subsidies are graduated and lower income families recieve larger subsidies. The following table provides a break down of the current income limits by family size.

GROSS INCOME ELIGIBILITY LIMITS
FAMILY SIZE
Current Monthly GROSS INCOME (subject to change)
2
$3179
3
$3927
4
$4675
5
$5423
6
$6171
7
$6312
8
$6452

To view the subsidy payments schedule for different types of child care, click here. (effective 02/10)

Child Care Connection Reimbursement Rates
DHS revised reimbursement rates and income eligibility. This excel file can assist with an ESTIMATE of DHS/your co-pay based on Tuition, Family Income and Type of Care. The maximum reimbursement rate is calculated for Full-time care and full-time employment hours.

Preschool Open Doors (POD)
POD is a program that helps families pay preschool costs for one year. 1st priority given to 4-year-olds from "Special Populations," eg. homeless and/or have Limited English Proficiency (LEP), and/or developmental delays and/or children with physical or mental impairments who are NOT enrolled by the DOE for preschool. 2nd priority given to all 4-year-olds and some 3-year-olds form special populations if funding is still available. Age of child must be 4-years-old by December 31st. Open enrollment is each year from March 1st through April 30th for the upcoming school year. To request an application contact your local PATCH office or POD office at (808) 791-2130 (Oahu); Toll free (800) 746-5620 (neighbor islands).

The Native Hawaiian Child Care Assistance Project
The project, supported by Alu Like, Inc., assists with the cost of childcare for Native Hawaiian children. Gross family income determines the amount of assistance you may receive. Call (808) 535-1300 to find out if you meet the eligibility for participation. Enrollment: Statewide, there are limited funds available.

Pauahi Keiki Scholars Program
This scholarship program services for children (3-4 yrs. old) of Native Hawaiian ancestry. Preschool program must be approved by Kamehameha Schools. Application deadline is April of each year. Contact: (808) 534-8080

Pointers:

  1. APPLY EARLY - If you plan to enroll your child in the Fall semester, call the child center well ahead of time, maybe in January. There may be waiting lists or no seats available if you wait till the last minute.
  2. PART DAY, PART WEEK - Ask the provider if there are options for the types of day care. Having your child enrolled for part of the day or week may be more cost effective and may fit your schedule better.
  3. TAKE YOUR CHILD TO THE INTERVIEW - When you go on a tour of the day care center, bring your child. Observe your child’s actions. If they are comfortable there, then they probably like it.