Local service guide
Childcare in Honolulu: Costs, Checks and Options
Arrange Childcare in Honolulu by matching your child’s age and care hours to a provider, checking its regulatory status with Hawaiʻi DHS, and comparing written fees before paying a deposit. For school-age care, HIDOE publishes a $240 monthly A+ fee for 2026–27. Preschool families should check Preschool Open Doors eligibility before committing to tuition. [1] [2] [3] [4]
Choose care around the hours you need
Write down your required start date, drop-off time, pickup time and days of care before contacting providers. Include travel time and identify who can collect your child if you run late. Ask each provider to confirm the hours it can offer your child, rather than comparing its advertised opening hours alone.
The statewide DHS search includes infant and toddler centers, preschool centers, school-aged centers, family child care homes and group child care homes. It also offers filters for weekend care, meals and snacks. Use those filters to build a shortlist, then ask each provider about openings, age placement and a visit. [1]
For a nanny or sitter, describe the work in writing: number of children, feeding, naps, school collection and any household duties. Ask about references, screening, infant or child CPR training and emergency arrangements. Agree on a supervised introduction before leaving your child with a new caregiver.
Check registration, licensing and daily care
Hawaiʻi DHS monitors registered family child care homes and licensed child care centers against minimum standards. Its licensing categories include infant and toddler centers, group centers and homes, and before- and after-school facilities. DHS also publishes information about exemptions, so avoid assuming that the same credential applies to every arrangement. [2]
Ask for the provider’s registered or licensed name and address. Use the DHS Child Care Licensing Units to ask about the provider’s status, review licensing inspection reports or report a child care complaint. The provider-search page identifies those units as the contact for these questions. [1]
During a visit, ask who will supervise your child and how staff handle absences, illness, allergies, medication and authorized pickup. For an infant, ask the caregiver to explain sleep arrangements. Discuss emergency communication and the collection procedure if the provider closes during the day. Record answers so you can compare providers after the visits.
Compare the full written cost
Request a written quote for your child’s exact schedule. Ask whether the provider charges by the hour, day, week or month, and request separate amounts for registration, deposits, meals, supplies, transportation and late pickup. Confirm whether you pay during holidays, your child’s absences and provider closures.
HIDOE sets the A+ monthly fee at $240 for the 2026–27 school year, due on the first program day of each month. Income-eligible families may apply for an A+ subsidy through DHS. Applicants must submit a new subsidy application and household income evidence each school year. [3]
Request direct quotes for the same hours and duties. Before paying, ask for the deposit refund rules, withdrawal notice period and written confirmation of the start date.
Check assistance before accepting a place
For Preschool Open Doors in 2026–27, DHS lists eligible birth dates from August 1, 2021, through July 31, 2024. The program also applies income and other eligibility requirements. For example, DHS publishes a monthly gross income limit of $15,813 for a family of four. [4]
DHS announced applications through May 31, 2027, or until funding capacity is reached, with a final receipt deadline of 4:30 p.m. on that date. Families receiving assistance for 2025–26 must apply again. Confirm funding availability and your chosen program’s eligibility with PATCH before including assistance in your budget. [4]
Ask the provider to show your tuition obligation before and after any approved assistance, including fees outside the award. Keep the approval notice and care agreement together. Plan how you would cover care while an application remains undecided.
Preschool Open Doors maximum monthly subsidies
Local details that affect your job
Prepare a complete A+ application
For 2026–27, A+ requires proof that both parents or legal guardians work, attend school or participate in job training during after-school hours, regardless of marital status. Employed parents need pay stubs dated within 30 days or an employer letter verifying hours. Self-employed applicants need a GET license plus a Schedule C tax return or recent business checking statement. HIDOE processes applications in date-and-time order and warns that incomplete applications may face delays. Confirm a place with your child’s school-site provider before relying on coverage. [3]
Use the Honolulu Preschool Open Doors contact
PATCH handles Preschool Open Doors applications and can help families locate a preschool. DHS lists 808-791-2130 and a paper-application address at 560 N. Nimitz Hwy., Suite 218, Honolulu, HI 96817. The statewide program accepts paper applications by mail, drop-off, fax or email as well as online applications. Ask PATCH which submission method and documents fit your application, and retain confirmation of receipt. [4]
Match your care need to the next check
| Your need | Option to investigate | Before committing |
|---|---|---|
| Infant or toddler care | DHS-listed infant and toddler center or home care | Confirm age acceptance, hours and applicable regulatory status. |
| Preschool with tuition assistance | Preschool Open Doors | Check birth dates, income eligibility, funding and program eligibility with PATCH. |
| Public elementary after-school care | A+ for eligible grades K–6 | Provide both parents’ or legal guardians’ eligibility evidence and confirm enrollment. |
| Weekend care | DHS search weekend-care filter | Confirm the specific days and hours with the provider. |
Your hiring checklist
- Write down your child’s age, start date, required hours and pickup contacts.
- Ask each shortlisted provider to confirm an opening for that schedule.
- Check the applicable registration, license or exemption with DHS.
- Visit and discuss supervision, sleep, allergies and emergency collection.
- Request an itemized quote and written closure, refund and withdrawal terms.
- Confirm assistance approval and your remaining payment before budgeting around it.
- Keep the care agreement, emergency contacts and pickup permissions together.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I review a provider’s inspection reports?
Contact the DHS Child Care Licensing Units. The official provider-search page directs families there for licensing inspection reports, complaints and questions about a provider or facility. [1]
Does an A+ application guarantee a place?
HIDOE says applications receive date-and-time stamps and staff process them in order received. It warns that incomplete applications may face delays and space may fill before enrollment confirmation. Obtain confirmation before arranging your work schedule around care. [3]
Will Preschool Open Doors cover the full tuition?
DHS publishes maximum monthly subsidies of $1,500 for accredited programs and $1,200 for licensed programs for 2026–27. These ceilings do not establish your award or the provider’s tuition. Confirm your approved assistance and ask the provider for the remaining amount you must pay. [4]
Sources and scope
This guide combines the sources below with practical planning guidance. Figures apply to the stated geography and period; request a written quote for your property.