Preschools
HISFA doubles access to public PreK with 44 new classrooms opened August 2024 after opening 11 classrooms August 2023!
HISFA develops Pre-school hub concept – 8 sites selected for pre-design starting fall 2024.
Data driven decisions for efficiency and standardization across the state using prefabricated systems similar to the picture below.
Collaboration for public PreK! HISFA, DOE, Lt. Governor, EOEL ….
This list of collaborators is long, the work is thorough, the effort is real. Photo below is opening day at Kuhio Elementary School August 2024.
Equity and efficiency across Hawaii public PreK with standardized furniture and finishes!
Calming and soft color tones serve as backdrop to dynamic colors used by keiki.
Summary of Pre-K Movement
Access to affordable and high-quality early child care and education is vital to the well-being of children, families, and the community. Benefits associated with high-quality early child care and education include increased achievement test scores, high school graduation, college enrollment, and reduced risk factors, such as the negative impacts of poverty and delinquency.
Currently, the challenges Hawaii families face in accessing childcare services consist of costs, lack of available seats, physical access (e.g., distance), and lack of quality programs. To address some of these barriers, the Hawaii State Legislators, local and State agencies, and community-based non-private and private programs have joined forces to promote and improve the early learning and pre-kindergarten movement.
The Role of the Hawaii School Facilities Authority in Hawaii’s Pre-K Expansion Plan
In partnership with Lieutenant Governor Office Ready Keiki Initiative and the Executive Office on Early Learning (EOEL), the Hawaii School Facilities Authority (SFA) is assisting the Hawaii State efforts in expanding the number of pre-kindergarten programs to 405 by 2032 (goal as of September 2023). The HISFA is committed to achieving this goal through three development pathways:
- Pathway 1: Converting underutilized classrooms on existing public school sites.
- Pathway 2: Renovating underutilized state-owned facilities like libraries or office buildings into dedicated pre-kindergarten facilities (‘Pre-kindergarten Learning Hubs’).
- Pathway 3: Constructing new pre-kindergarten facilities.
Project Updates
More Information Coming Soon!