Qualifications:
Teachers: Must be at least 18 and have a degree in child development or early childhood education and 6 mos. working experience or a postsecondary credential in a child development associate program or a 2-year (60 credit) college program with a certificate in early childhood education plus one year experience or a baccaluareate in elementary education plus 6 mos. work experience in an early childhood program plus 6 credits of approved child development or early childhood education training courses or a baccalaureate in any field plus 6 mos. work in early childhood program plus 12 credits of approved child development or early childhood courses.
Relative or Friend Care: A relative is someone in your family—such as an aunty, uncle, grandma, or grandpa—who may be willing to care for your child. A friend is someone you know and trust who may be available to provide child care. Relative or friend care is a license-exempt form of child care.
Family Child Care Home: A family child care home is operated by a provider who cares for several children in his or her own home. Licensed family child care providers must meet minimum standards for health, safety, and adult-child ratio. A maximum of 6 children can be cared for at one time in the home. Of the 6, no more than 2 children under the age of 18 months can be cared for at one time. If there is additional help, up to 4 children under 18 months can be cared for at one time.
Child Care Centers: A child care center is a place that is set up specifically to provide child care. Child care centers include day nurseries, preschool/nursery school groups, preschool child play groups, parent cooperatives, drop-in child care centers, and group child care homes. Licensed child care centers must meet State minimum standards for health, safety, staff qualifications, and adult-child ratio.
Provider/Child Ratio:
Age Range Ratios For Center Based Care in Hawaii State
6 weeks to 12 months (1:3) *
12 months to 24 months (1:3) **
18 months to 36 months (1:3) **
2 years (1:8)
3 years (1:12)
4 to 5 years 1:16 (1:16)
Schoolage (1:20)
Mixed age group ratio for age of youngest child
* 1:3 means 1 adult caring for no more than 3 children.
** Ratios may vary depending on group size.
Age Range Ratios For Family Child Care in Hawaii State
Birth to 18 months 1:2 *
18 months to 6 years 1:6 **
* 1:2 means 1 adult caring for no more than 2 children. No more than 2 babies under 18 months old can be
cared for in the family child care home at the same time.
** A maximum of 6 children can be cared for in a family child care home at the same time.
Age Range License-Exempt or Friend Care in Hawaii State
Birth to 18 months (1:2) *
18 months to 2 years (1:4)
2 to 3 years (1:5)
4 to 5 years (1:12)
4 years (1:6)
* 1:2 means 1 adult caring for no more than 2 children.
A license-exempt provider can care for up to 2 children who are not related to the provider.
Important Contact Information:
Child Care Licensing Agency
Child Care Connection Hawai‘i Unit I
Pohulani Elderly Housing Project
677 Queen Street, Room 400A
Honolulu, HI 96813
Phone: (808) 587-5266
Fax: (808) 586-5229
Child Care Licensing Agency
Central Hilo Unit
Prince Kuhio Plaza
111 East Pu‘ainak o Street, Suite A-101
Hilo, HI 96720
Phone: (808) 959-0669
North Kona 2 Unit
Lanihau Professional Center
75-5591 Palani Road, Room 2004
Kailua-Kona, HI 96740
Child Care Licensing Agency
Child Care Connection Hawai‘i Unit II
Waipahu Civic Center
94-275 Mokuola Street, Room 203
Waipahu, HI 96797
Phone: (808) 675-0470
Child Care Subsidy Agency
Hawaii Department of Human Services
820 Mililani Street, Suite 606, Haseko Center
Honolulu, HI 96813-2936
Phone: (808) 586-7050
Fax: (808) 586-5229
Head Start - State Collaboration Office
Hawaii Department of Human Services
Benefit, Employment, and Support Services Division
820 Mililani Street, Suite 606
Honolulu, HI, 96813-2936
Phone: (808) 586-5232
Fax: (808) 586-5180
Child Care Food Program Agency
Department of Education
650 Iwilei Road, Suite 270
Honolulu, HI 96817
Phone: (808) 587-3600
Fax: (808) 587-3606
State Child Care Resource & Referral Contact
650 Iwilei Road, Suite 205
Honolulu, HI 96817
Phone: (808) 839-1988
Fax: (808) 839-1799
Office of Child Support Enforcement
Child Support Enforcement Agency
Office of Attorney General
601 Kamokila Boulevard, Suite 207
Kapolei, Hawaii 96707
Phone: (808) 692-7000
Fax: (808) 692-7134