Low to No-Cost Early Childhood Development and Learning Programs Resource List

 

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Information on low to no-cost Pre-Kindergarten programs including those that charge a tuition of less than $600 per month, and links to helpful resources.

This resource was developed in collaboration between the Executive Office on Early Learning and Kamehameha Schools.

The Low to No-Cost Early Childhood Development and Learning Programs Resource List is divided into five sections.

Links to Sections:

Parent Participation Programs

Home-Visiting Programs

Center-Based Programs

Scholarships, Subsidies, and Resources

Services for Children with Special Needs

PARENT-PARTICIPATION PROGRAMS

Ka Pa’alana

The Ka Pa’alana Homeless Family Education Program (Partners in Development) serves homeless and at-risk families on the Leeward Coast of O’ahu and in Hilo.

Website: www.pidf.org/programs/ka_paalana/about
O’ahu: (808) 596-8711
Hawai’i Island: (808) 934-8711
Email: [email protected]

Keiki O Ka ‘Āina Family Learning Centers

Keiki O Ka ‘Āina Family Learning Centers help children prepare for success in school by supporting parents as their child’s first teacher, providing educational experiences for parents and children as they play and learn together.

Website: www.koka.org/parent-participation-programs/
Oʻahu: (808) 843-2502
Email: [email protected]

Keiki Steps

Keiki Steps is a FREE program focused on parent–child interactive learning experiences from birth through five years of age. Adult participation is required. We are located in communities with high concentrations of Native Hawaiians but are open to all families and children within those communities, regardless of ethnicity.

Website: www.inpeace.org/early-childhood-education/keiki-steps/
O’ahu: (808) 620-9043
Hawai’i Island: (808) 933-2933

 

Kūlia I Ka Nu’u

Kūlia I Ka Nu’u (Keiki O Ka ‘Āina) integrates Hawaiian culture, values and language and empowers parents to be their child’s first and best teacher! Parents learn how to give their child an early start on literacy, math, art, social studies, science and more.

Website: www.koka.org/keiki-childrens-programs-kulia/
Oʻahu: (808) 843-2502
Email: [email protected]

Nā Pono No Nā ‘Ohana

Nā Pono No Nā ‘Ohana (Partners in Development) is a comprehensive family education program. The program is located at Blanche Pope Elementary School in Waimānalo where the family comes to school to learn together.

Website: www.pidf.org/programs/na_pono_no_na_ohana/about
O’ahu: (808) 259-0243

Tūtū and Me

Tūtū and Me (Partners in Development) aims to identify, recruit, and service this underserved segment of the Native Hawaiian population through an innovative traveling preschool program done in cooperation with churches and community organizations serving the Hawaiian and part-Hawaiian community.

Website: www.pidf.org/programs/tutu_and_me/about
O’ahu: (808) 524-7633
Email: [email protected]


HOME-VISITING PROGRAMS

Early Head Start (EHS)/Head Start (HS)

EHS and HS are federally-funded programs providing comprehensive health, education and family support and family engagement services and resources to income-eligible children, as well as children who are homeless or in the foster care system. EHS serves pregnant women, infants and toddlers and their families. HS serves preschool children and their families. Part-day programs are offered at no cost to families, and full-day programs are offered at affordable rates. Children with special needs are given priority in the Head Start/Early Head Start program.

Here are the locations as follows:

O’ahu:

Parents and Children Together (PACT)
Website: pacthawaii.org/our-work/early-headstart-programs/
Phone: (808) 842-5996
Email: [email protected]

Honolulu Community Action Program (HCAP)
Website: www.hcapweb.org/headstart/
Phone: (808) 847-2400
Email: [email protected]

Maui:

Maui Family Support Services (MFSS)
Website: mfss.org
Phone: (808) 242-0900
Email: [email protected]

Maui Economic Opportunity (MEO)
Website: www.meoinc.org
Phone: (808) 249-2990
Email: [email protected]

Kaua’i:

Child and Family Service (CFS)
Website: www.childandfamilyservice.org/kauai/
Phone: (808) 245-5914

Hawai’i Island:

Parents and Children Together (PACT)
Website: pacthawaii.org/our-work/early-headstart-programs/
Phone: (808) 961-0570
Email: [email protected]

Family Support Hawai‘i (FSH)
Website: familysupporthawaii.org
Phone: (808) 334-4123 or (808) 334-4138
Email: [email protected]

Healthy Families America (HFA)
(Child and Family Service)

Healthy Families America (HFA), formerly Healthy Start, provides comprehensive home visitation services to prenatal families or families with newborn infants for three full years, until baby turns 3 years old. Families must reside in the Wai’anae area on O’ahu and Līhu’e area on Kaua’i and on Lāna’i.

Here are the programs as follows:

O’ahu:

Child and Family Service (CFS)
Website: www.childandfamilyservice.org/oahu/
Phone: (808) 681-1555

Maui:

Maui Family Support Services (MFSS)
Website: mfss.org
Phone: (808) 242-0900
Email: [email protected]

Kaua’i:

Child and Family Service (CFS)
Website: www.childandfamilyservice.org/kauai/
Phone: (808) 245-5914

Hawai’i Island:

YWCA
Website: www.ywcahawaiiisland.org/what-we-do/healthy-start-program/
Phone: (808) 961-3877 extension 101

Home Instruction for Parents of Preschool Youngsters (HIPPY)

The Home Instruction for Parents of Preschool Youngsters (HIPPY) (Keiki O Ka ‘Āina) program offers home based early childhood education for three, four and five year old children working with their parent(s) as their first teacher.

Website: www.koka.org/hippy
O’ahu: (808) 843-2502
Maui: (808) 868-4143
Hawai’i Island: (808) 339-7979
Email: [email protected]


 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

CENTER-BASED PROGRAMS

Early Head Start (EHS)/Head Start (HS)

EHS and HS are federally-funded programs providing comprehensive health, education and family support and family engagement services and resources to income-eligible children, as well as children who are homeless or in the foster care system. EHS serves pregnant women, infants and toddlers and their families. HS serves preschool children and their families. Part-day programs are offered at no cost to families, and full-day programs are offered at affordable rates. Children with special needs are given priority in the Head Start/Early Head Start program.

Here are the locations as follows:

O’ahu:

Parents and Children Together (PACT)
Website: pacthawaii.org/our-work/early-headstart-programs/
Phone: (808) 842-5996
Email: [email protected]

Honolulu Community Action Program (HCAP)
Website: www.hcapweb.org/headstart/
Phone: (808) 847-2400
Email: [email protected]

Maui:

Maui Family Support Services (MFSS)
Website: mfss.org
Phone: (808) 242-0900
Email: [email protected]

Maui Economic Opportunity (MEO)
Website: www.meoinc.org
Phone: (808) 249-2990
Email: [email protected]

Kaua’i:

Child and Family Service (CFS)
Website: www.childandfamilyservice.org/kauai/
Phone: (808) 245-5914

Hawai’i Island:

Parents and Children Together (PACT)
Website: pacthawaii.org/our-work/early-headstart-programs/
Phone: (808) 961-0570
Email: [email protected]

Family Support Hawai‘i (FSH)
Website: familysupporthawaii.org
Phone: (808) 334-4123 or (808) 334-4138
Email: [email protected]

Executive Office on Early Learning (EOEL)

The Executive Office on Early Learning (EOEL) offers Hawai’i’s first state funded pre-kindergarten program at no-cost to families who meet eligibility requirements. The program provides high-quality early learning experiences for students in the year prior to kindergarten eligibility. In order to qualify, children who must be 4 years of age on or before July 31st of the school year. Priority is given to those who are considered “at-risk” or “underserved.” Applications are accepted year-round. See website for the listing of all schools.

Website: earlylearning.hawaii.gov
O’ahu: (808) 784-5350
Email: [email protected]

Hawai’i Public Charter Schools

In 2014, the Hawai’i State Public Charter School Commission applied for the U.S. Department of Education Preschool Development Grant. Hawai’i was one of 18 states awarded this opportunity. This grant allows Hawai’i to continue to build on statewide efforts to support Hawai’i’s early childhood system. Each participating school can serve 20 eligible pre-kindergarten students in each class. See website for the listing of all schools.

Website: https://www.chartercommission.hawaii.gov/
O’ahu: (808) 380-6403

Kamehameha Schools Preschools

Kamehameha Schools delivers high quality Hawaiian culture-based preschool education to over 1,600 3-5 year old keiki at 30 preschools statewide. The focus of the program is to promote each child’s overall well-being by addressing the child’s physical, social, emotional, cognitive, language, cultural and spiritual development through learning experiences that are grounded in the cultural values of aloha, mālama and kuleana.

Note: Kamehameha Schools’ policy is to give preference to applicants of Hawaiian ancestry to the extent permitted by law.

Website: blogs.ksbe.edu/preschool
O’ahu: (808) 534-8305 or Toll-Free (800) 842-4682 extension 48305

Keiki O Ka ‘Āina Preschools

Keiki O Ka ‘Āina Preschool is NAEYC and WINHEC accredited and offers a dual language environment rich in Hawaiian culture. Literacy-driven curriculum is firmly grounded in Hawaiian values, traditions, culture and language. Children attend monthly field trips that help reinforce our educational themes.

Note: Preschool for ages 3-5
Infant-Toddler Center for ages 6 months – 36 months

Website: www.koka.org/preschool
O’ahu: (808) 843-2502
Email: [email protected]

Keiki Steps to Kindergarten

Keiki Steps to Kindergarten is a FREE two or three week summer transition program for children entering kindergarten with little or no preschool experience. This summer transition program provides an academic and social orientation for children allowing them to ensure a smooth transition into kindergarten. Programs are offered at various DOE Elementary School locations.

Website: www.inpeace.org/early-childhood-education/keiki-steps-to-kindergarten/
O’ahu: (808) 693-7222

 

SCHOLARSHIPS, SUBSIDIES, AND RESOURCES

 

SCHOLARSHIPS

Pauahi Keiki Scholars (PKS) – Scholarship

Pauahi Keiki Scholars (PKS) is a need-based scholarship for eligible keiki who are planning to attend a participating PKS preschool in Hawai’i.

Note: Kamehameha Schools’ policy is to give preference to applicants of Hawaiian ancestry to the extent permitted by law.

Website: apps.ksbe.edu/financialaid/preschool/pks/
O’ahu: (808) 534-8080

 

SUBSIDIES

Child Care Connection Hawai’i (CCCH) – Subsidy

The Child Care Connection Hawai’i (CCCH) subsidy program helps low-income families to sustain their employment, educational efforts and job training by paying a subsidy for their children who are in the care of DHS-approved child care providers. Unless child care is required for protective purposes, families must meet income and activity requirements to qualify for this subsidy program.

Website: humanservices.hawaii.gov/bessd/child-care-program/ccch-subsidies/
O’ahu: (855) 643-1643
Email: [email protected]

Maui Family Support Services (MFSS) – Subsidy
Quality Care for Hawaiian Keiki (QCHK)

QCHK offers child care subsidy program services to Native Hawaiian families on Maui and Moloka’i.

Website: mfss.org/qchk
Maui: (808) 793-2816
Email: [email protected]

Preschool Open Doors (POD) – Subsidy

The Preschool Open Doors (POD) program is a separate subsidy program with limited funds that provides services state-wide to families sending their children to a licensed preschool during the school year prior to kindergarten entry. The goal of POD is to promote school readiness for children, and the program focuses on meeting the needs of the child. Parents are not required to have an eligible activity, unlike the CCCH Subsidy program, but they must meet income and other eligibility requirements. For POD, there is a time-limited application period established and published each year.

Website: humanservices.hawaii.gov/bessd/child-care-program/ccch-subsidies/
O’ahu: (808) 791-2130 or toll-free (800) 746-5620

 

RESOURCES

Family Hui Hawai’i – Resource

The Hui Program coordinates parenting support groups that allow families and children to come together and learn about child development and mindful parenting strategies. Groups are led by a trained peer facilitator and meet once per week for 12 weeks in the community where they reside.

Website: familyhuihawaii.org
O’ahu: (808) 230-7112
Email: [email protected]

Ho’āla – Resource

Ho’āla, a program by INPEACE, is designed to connect families with children ages prenatal to 5 to provide valuable information and guidance about early childhood education programs, improve outcomes and prepare your child for future success in school.

Website: www.inpeace.org/early-childhood-education/hoala/
O’ahu: (808) 696-9300

 

SERVICES FOR CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS

Hawai’i State Department of Education
(Preschool Special Education)

A child, ages 3 to 22, who is identified with a disability and demonstrates a need for specially designed instruction can receive special education. Special education is specially designed instruction and can include, but is not limited to, academic services, speech-language services, psychological services, physical and occupational therapy, counseling services, and parent education.

Contact your child’s home school, which is the neighborhood
school that your child would attend and request an evaluation.

The request can be made by one of the following:
• Verbally, in person, or by phone
• In a written letter, faxed, or e-mailed; or
• On the “State of Hawai‘i Request for Evaluation form” obtained from the school

For more information about Special Education, visit the website noted below.

Website: www.hawaiipublicschools.org/teachingandlearning/specializedprograms/
SpecialEducation/Pages/home.aspx
O’ahu: (808) 305-9806

Hawai’i State Department of Health – Children with Special Health Needs

Children with Special Health Needs Branch (CSHNB) is working to assure that all children and youth with special health care needs (CSHCN) will reach optimal health, growth, and development, by improving access to a coordinated system of family-centered health care services and improving outcomes, through systems development, assessment, assurance, education, collaborative partnerships, and family support.

Website: health.hawaii.gov/cshcn/ulu/
O’ahu: (808) 733-9055

Hawai’i State Department of Health – Early Intervention Section (EIS)

Services are provided to infants and toddlers below three years of age who have a developmental delay or are at biological risk (for example: have a diagnosis or condition with a high probability of resulting in developmental delays) and their families. A child is evaluated to determine eligibility for services. Service providers support families through coaching and strategies to help their child in all areas of development within the child’s daily routines and activities.

Website: health.hawaii.gov/eis/
Main Office – O’ahu: (808) 594-0000
Early Intervention Referral Line – O’ahu: (808) 594-0066 or toll-free (800) 235-5477
Email: [email protected]

Poli’s Place

Poli’s Place (Keiki O Ka ‘Āina) is specifically designed to meet the diverse needs of infants and toddlers with special needs. All keiki are welcome at Poli’s Place. The unique environment provides opportunities and experiences for children to develop their social skills. Along with a daily routine, mākua and keiki enjoy developmentally appropriate activities enriched in Hawaiian ideals and culture.

Website: www.koka.org/
O’ahu: (808) 843-2502
Email: [email protected]

School Readiness Project (SRP)
(Learning Disabilities Association of Hawai’i-LDAH)

School Readiness Project (SRP) provides services for families of two through five year old children on O‘ahu. We provide developmental, social-emotional, hearing, vision and autism screenings. For children with a possible concern, we provide case management to help resolve that concern.

Website: ldahawaii.org/school-readiness-project/
O’ahu: (808) 536-9684 or (808) 696-5361

Last Updated: June 2021