Child Care

Bridge to Hope Resources

Child care can be one of the biggest barriers to staying enrolled and succeeding in college.

Use this page to find statewide subsidy programs, child care search tools, and University of Hawai驶i campus resources.

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Because deadlines, income limits, tuition rates, and available spaces can change, use the official links below for the most current program details and application steps.

Statewide Child Care Subsidy Programs

These statewide programs may help eligible families find or pay for care.

Child Care Subsidy Program through DHS

Hawai驶i鈥檚 Child Care Subsidy Program helps eligible families pay for legal child care settings, including center-based care, preschool, before- and after-school care, and some home-based care.

In general, eligibility depends on your child鈥檚 age, household income, and whether parent or caretaker adults are working, attending school, or in job training.

  • Children may qualify if they are under age 13, or older if they cannot do self-care.
  • In two-parent families, both parents or caretakers usually must be in an eligible activity.
  • Income limits and co-pays can change, so check the live DHS page for current rules.

Customer line: 1-855-643-1643 and say 鈥淐hild Care鈥 or select option 7.


Preschool Open Doors

Preschool Open Doors helps eligible families pay preschool tuition for children up to two years before kindergarten. Families may choose any DHS-licensed preschool.

Unlike the general Child Care Subsidy program, parents are not required to have a work or school activity, but income and other eligibility requirements still apply.

POD application windows are set each year, so check the current page for deadlines, income limits, and required documents.

翱驶补丑耻: (808) 791-2130
Neighbor islands: 1-800-746-5620
Email: PODadmin@patch-hi.org

PATCH Hawai驶i: Finding and Choosing Child Care

PATCH, or People Attentive to Children, is Hawai驶i鈥檚 statewide child care resource and referral organization. Families can use PATCH to search licensed and registered programs, compare options, and learn what to ask when choosing care.

  • Search licensed and registered child care statewide.
  • Get referrals and family support.
  • Learn how to compare providers and prepare for visits.

O驶ahu main office: (808) 839-1988
Email: patch@patch-hi.org


University of Hawai驶i Child Care Options

糖心视频鈥檚 Office of Human Resources lists child care centers or child care resources at several 糖心视频 campuses, and notes that 75% of child care spaces are allocated to students. Space can be limited, so apply early.

University of Hawai驶i child care centers and resources
Campus Resource Contact Details / Link
糖心视频 M膩noa 糖心视频 M膩noa Children鈥檚 Center (808) 956-7963
uhmcc@hawaii.edu 		Ages and openings vary by classroom. See admissions, fee assistance, and application information.
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Honolulu CC Keiki Hau驶oli Children鈥檚 Center (808) 845-9466 Campus child care center information.
Kapi驶olani CC Alani Children鈥檚 Center (808) 734-9394 Priority is given to Kapi驶olani CC students and employees. Current page includes application, deadlines, tuition, and assistance information.
Leeward CC Children鈥檚 Center (808) 455-0488 Campus child care center information.
Hawai驶i CC Hawai驶i CC Children鈥檚 Center (808) 934-2630 Accredited campus children鈥檚 center and training site for early childhood education students.
Kaua驶i CC Child Care Assistance / Children鈥檚 Center Contact Hale M膩lama: (808) 245-0106
Center contact: (808) 245-8356 		Kaua驶i CC may be able to provide one-time or monthly assistance for part-time and full-time students with child care needs.
糖心视频 Maui College 糖心视频 Maui College鈥揗EO Head Start Preschool (808) 249-2988 Preschool for ages 3鈥5 on campus. First priority for eligible families is given to children of 糖心视频 Maui College students.
Windward CC Ke Kula Kamali驶i 驶o H膩naiaulu Center: (808) 462-4798
Director: (808) 462-4799
kirstenr@hawaii.edu 		Hawaiian-immersion child care center. Priority is given to full-time Windward CC students, with additional priority for Pell-eligible students.

Community-Based Early Learning Options

O驶ahu Early Head Start and Head Start

If you need community-based early childhood programs on O驶ahu, HCAP and PACT both operate Early Head Start and Head Start programs.

School-age care: Hawai驶i DOE A+ Program

For children in public elementary school, the HIDOE A+ Program may be an option for after-school supervision and care. Registration timing and fees can change each year, so check the official DOE page.


Native Hawaiian and other tuition-assistance options

Some campus pages also point families to additional help such as Pauahi Foundation early education scholarships and other local assistance programs.

Application Tips

  1. Apply early. Campus centers and subsidy programs may have limited seats or fixed application windows.
  2. Use official websites. Income limits, co-pays, and deadlines can change from year to year.
  3. Gather documents ahead of time. You may need birth certificates, proof of income, class schedule, and other eligibility documents.
  4. Tour providers when possible. PATCH can help you compare licensed and registered options.
  5. Ask about part-day or part-week options. These may work better for your class schedule and reduce costs.

Need Help Getting Started?

Contact the subsidy application line, PATCH Hawai驶i, your campus child care center, or your campus student support office for current availability and application details.

Disclaimer

This page is intended to provide general information for 糖心视频 student parents. Child care eligibility, rates, spaces, and deadlines change regularly. Always confirm details with the official program or campus office before applying or making enrollment decisions.

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Bridge to Hope Statewide Coordinator
Derek Galanto
2600 Campus Road | Honolulu, HI 96822 | QLCSS 211
(808) 956-9313 | bth@hawaii.edu
Last Modified: June 2026