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Head Start

Head Start in Hawaii

Head Start is free preschool for children 3 to 5 from families who qualify, and Early Head Start serves babies and toddlers. Families qualify by income, or when they receive public assistance, a child is in foster care or the family has no stable home.

Head Start and Early Head Start centers listed
88
towns
33
towns have their own Head Start page
9
of all Hawaii daycares
13%

Map of Hawaii: each dot is a town with Head Start and Early Head Start centers, sized by how many are listed

Head Start
What puts a daycare on this listThe Office of Head Start lists a Head Start or Early Head Start site at the daycare, or its name, its own website or its state record says Head Start.Head Start programs also run classrooms in public schools and home-based services that may not be on this list; the Office of Head Start's locator lists every site.

Head Start

Head Start and Early Head Start in Hawaii

Head Start centers (ages 3 to 5)
80
Free preschool for children from families who qualify.
Early Head Start centers (birth to 3)
16
For babies and toddlers, and many programs also serve expectant families.
on the federal Head Start site list
73
The Office of Head Start lists a site at these daycares. The others say Head Start in their name, on their website or on their state record.
How to apply for Head Start (Office of Head Start)

Head Start sites: Office of Head Start, Head Start service locations (Administration for Children and Families), 2026.

Hawaii

Largest towns for Head Start in Hawaii

Honolulu17 centersWaianae9 centersEwa Beach8 centersKaneohe6 centersKailua4 centersWahiawa4 centersWailuku4 centersKunia3 centersWaipahu3 centersAiea2 centersHilo2 centersKahului2 centers

Programs

Programs in Hawaii

Counts come from the state record and what each daycare says it offers. A daycare without a tag may still offer the program; ask.

ProgramListed
All daycares685
Take infants231
Child care centers476
Accept subsidy29
In-home daycares209
Christian & church daycares82
Montessori schools25
Preschools & pre-K652
Early morning daycare99
Weekend daycare10
Part-time daycare17
After-school care634
Head Start88

The Hawaii state record

Hawaii Department of Human Services, Child Care Licensing licenses daycares in Hawaii.

License list
The state's public list of licensed child care
Ages served
The ages on each license
Inspections
Not in the records we carry for this state yet
Search the Hawaii state records

Before you enroll

Applying to Head Start in Hawaii

  1. 1

    Check that you qualify

    Families qualify by income, or when they receive TANF, SSI or SNAP, a child is in foster care or the family has no stable home. Programs may take some other children too.

  2. 2

    Have your papers ready

    Ask the program which papers to bring, such as proof of your child's age and of your family's income or benefits.

  3. 3

    Ask about the waitlist

    There are not enough places for every child who qualifies. If no place is open now, ask to join the waitlist.

  4. 4

    Ask about the day

    Some programs run full days, some part days or the school year only, and some visit families at home. Ask which fits your family.

Hawaii

Cost, inspections and ratios in Hawaii

Daycare cost in HawaiiWeekly prices by age and countyStaff-to-child ratios in HawaiiHow many children each adult may care forDaycare tour checklistQuestions to ask when you visit

A to Z

All 33 Hawaii towns with Head Start, A to Z

A1 town
E1 town
H4 towns
K12 towns
L3 towns
M3 towns
P3 towns
W6 towns

Nearby

Nearby states

California1,403 centers

Questions

Questions about Head Start in Hawaii

How many Head Start and Early Head Start centers are in Hawaii?

88 Head Start and Early Head Start centers are listed in 33 Hawaii towns. Head Start programs also run classrooms in public schools and home-based services that may not be on this list; the Office of Head Start's locator lists every site.

Which Hawaii town has the most Head Start and Early Head Start centers?

Honolulu, with 17 listed. Next are Waianae (9) and Ewa Beach (8).

Who qualifies for Head Start?

Children from families whose income is at or below the federal poverty guidelines, families that receive TANF, SSI or SNAP, children in foster care and children experiencing homelessness. Programs may also take some children who do not meet these rules, so ask.

Is Head Start free?

Yes. Head Start and Early Head Start cost nothing for families who qualify.

What ages does Head Start serve?

Head Start preschool is for children 3 to 5. Early Head Start is for babies and toddlers from birth to 3, and many programs also serve expectant families.

How do I apply for Head Start?

Call or visit the Head Start program near you; it explains the papers you need. If no place is open now, ask to join the waitlist. The Office of Head Start's apply page links to its national locator.

Who licenses daycares in Hawaii?

Hawaii Department of Human Services, Child Care Licensing licenses daycares in Hawaii.