Preschool Open Doors

Hawai‘iʻs high cost of living makes it extremely challenging for working families with young children. Affordable housing and affordable child care top the list of expenses. In fact, child care is the second largest expense after housing. This is especially critical for a third of Hawai‘iʻs households who are ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) families.

Preschool Open Doors – A Solution to Support Families

Allowing families to receive financial support for early learning for two-year-olds until they are ready to enter kindergarten will provide welcome financial relief, support families, and support local businesses. Preschool Open Doors gives keiki a strong foundation in their education to set them on a positive trajectory.

 
Making Early Learning More Accessible

The State has made significant strides to expand access to early learning with public pre-kindergarten, which currently serves about 12% of Hawai‘i‘s three- and four-year old keiki. Community based programs still serve over 75% of Hawai‘i’s three- and four-year-olds, and 100% of children under three years old in a formal setting. Expanding Preschool Open Doors will make early learning more accessible and affordable for Hawai‘i families.

It is also important to note that many working families need access to full-day care. Community-based programs operate full days throughout the year, while public pre-kindergarten may have set hours operating for nine months of the year.

Early Learning Apprenticeships

Hawaiʻi faces critical shortages of early learning professionals. Recruitment and retention of these professionals can be difficult because of low wages. Apprenticeships offer higher pay and on-the-job training while improving the quality of early learning programs.

A state grant program would remove financial barriers for early learning center employers to participate in this valuable program, raising wages for existing staff, and ensuring that Hawaiʻi’s children, families, and businesses benefit from a stronger, more sustainable early learning workforce.

Earn While They Learn

Early Learning Apprenticeship Programs are a structured, hands-on training model designed to help individuals gain the skills and knowledge needed to work in early learning programs.  The on-the-job experience with classroom learning allows participants to earn while they learn and develop expertise in child development and learning, teaching strategies, and classroom management under the tutelage of a mentor. Employees can retain full-time employment and count their experience towards their college degree.

Check out HECAA's 2025 Policy Priorities. Download one-pager here.