​HIDOE programs

Since 1982, the Department has implemented the Early Provisions for School Success program to strengthen services provided children in K-3 grades by focusing on staff development for teachers in the areas of instruction, assessment, parent involvement and monitoring children’s progress. It reduced class sizes​ at K-2 grade levels to enable teachers to better know individual children and more effectively help them develop and learn.​

The Department runs a limited pre-k program for qualified students. Connect with our Early Learning page​ to learn more.

Service agencies

HEAD START & EARLY HEAD START
Head Start and Early Head Start programs support the mental, social, and emotional development of children from low-income families from birth to age 5. In addition to education services, programs provide children and their families with health, nutrition, social, and other services. Head Start services are responsive to each child and family's ethnic, cultural, and linguistic heritage.

The Head Start federal grants are managed by the following nonprofit agencies. Contact them for services:

• Oahu: Honolulu Community Action Program (HCAP), Parents and Children Together (PACT)
  
• Maui, Molokai and Lanai: Maui Economic Opportunity Inc., and Maui Family Support Services
• Kauai: Child & Family Service
• Hawaii: Parents and Children Together (PACT) and Family Support Hawaii
  

​MAILI COMMUNITY LEARNING CENTER
Families on the Waianae Coast can connect with the center's Preschool Complex​ to access classrooms being operated by Kamehameha Schools and a variety of community organizations including ‘Aha Pūnana Leo, HCAP – Head Start, INPEACE Keiki Steps program, Keiki o ka ‘Aina and Wai‘anae Coast Early Education Center.​

Hawaii P-3 Initiative

​​Hawaii P-3​ is dedicated to supporting the development and implementation of statewide initiatives for children from birth through age 8 with the goal of reading at grade level by 3rd grade. It is supported by generous grants from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, the Harold K​.L. Castle Foundation, the Samuel N. and Mary Castle Foundation, and Kamehameha Schools. It is engaged with early childhood learning ​demo sites at five Department Complex Areas.​

Parent resou​rces

• ​Too Small to Fail:​ Too Small to Fail aims to help parents and businesses take meaningful actions to improve the health and well-being of children ages zero to five, so that more of America’s children are prepared to succeed in the 21st century.​
  

• Learning to Grow: Provides resource materials designed to help families make informed decisions about their young children’s care. Follow on Facebook.