Expanding Pre-k Access
July 17, 2023
Access to affordable and high-quality early child care and education is vital to the well-being of children, families, and the community. Unfortunately, the challenges families face today in accessing childcare services consist of costs, lack of available seats, physical access (e.g., distance), and lack of quality programs. On July 7, 2022, Act 257, Session Laws of Hawaiʻi (SLH) 2022 was signed into law to help address some of these challenges by providing funds to expand access to pre-kindergarten through the School Facilities Authority (SFA).
Project Updates
- Eleven (11) pre-k classrooms are currently in the construction phase and anticipated to open beginning August 2023.
- In late March 2023, the SFA received approval on the release of Act 257 funds for $10,000,000 to fund the construction of pre-k instructional and support spaces at the University of Hawaiʻi (UH) at Mānoa Children’s Center. The facility will include a minimum of six pre-k classrooms. After project completion, the pre-k facility will be staffed and operated by the UH Mānoa Children’s Center.
- In addition to pre-k classrooms, the SFA is currently working with the Hawaiʻi Department of Education (HIDOE), Executive Office on Early Learning (EOEL), and Consultant MKThink in formulating a standard and guide on pre-k instructional and support spaces to streamline the process in design and planning decisions (by reducing timelines and increase efficiency).
