The Department of Human Services (DHS) in Honolulu is currently accepting applications for the Preschool Open Doors program for the 2024-2025 school year. This initiative aims to assist families in affording preschool education for eligible children aged three or four. The deadline to apply is January 31, 2025.
Children must be eligible to enter kindergarten in either the 2025-2026 or 2026-2027 school years, with birth dates between August 1, 2019, and July 31, 2021. Additionally, families must meet specific income requirements based on family size to qualify.
Eligible families can choose from any of the state's 382 licensed preschools. Subsidies provided through this program can reach up to $1,500 for accredited preschools and $1,200 for licensed ones. The subsidy amount depends on a family's co-payment tier calculated from their monthly gross income.
Ryan Yamane, DHS Director, highlighted the impact of recent changes: "With the new changes for the current school year, we assisted more than double the number of children with preschool tuition than last year. We still have funding available, so I encourage families to apply before the deadline." He emphasized that this program represents an investment in children and communities across Hawaii.
The Preschool Open Doors program offers low- and moderate-income families opportunities to send their children to preschool for up to two years before they enter kindergarten. Early learning experiences are essential for children's development and future success.
Families interested in applying can do so online or request an application from PATCH by visiting patchhawaii.org or calling specified numbers. Applications must be submitted by January 31 at 4:30 p.m., covering the period from July 1, 2024 – June 30, 2025.
Further information regarding eligibility and priority application dates for the following school year will be released in February 2025. Detailed eligibility criteria are available online under Chapter 17-799 of Hawaiʻi Administrative Rules at humanservices.hawaii.gov/admin-rules-2/admin-rules-for-programs.