Are you thinking about starting a daycare in Hawaii? Starting a daycare is a big commitment and a rewarding venture if you love working with young children. However, before opening for business, you must meet all state licensing regulations and complete other important steps to get a childcare license.

In this article, we cover the details of starting a daycare in Hawaii. Whether you’re a seasoned childcare provider or new to the daycare business, we’ll show you step-by-step how to navigate through this process and secure a childcare license. 

Do I need a childcare license in Hawaii?

According to Hawaii childcare regulations, you need a childcare license if you care for more than two children unrelated to you by blood, marriage, or adoption, for free or at a fee. However, some programs are exempt from childcare licensing. They include:

• Child care provided in a child’s home
• Child care provided by relatives
• Child care provided for up to two children unrelated to the provider
• School-aged programs operated by community associations or multi-service organizations
• School-aged programs operating no more than two consecutive calendar weeks in three months
• Childcare programs operating less than six hours weekly
• Childcare programs providing specialized training or skill development

The State of Hawaii Department of Human Services (DHS) regulates childcare licensing in Hawaii. They ensure the safety and well-being of children in a childcare setting.

The department issues licenses for the following daycare types:

Family Child Care Homes

• A private residence where three to six children unrelated to the caregiver are cared for

Group Child Care Centers and Group Child Care Homes

• Group child care center: A childcare facility other than a private home caring for children age two or older
• Group child care home: A childcare facility that may be an extended or modified private home providing care for seven to 12 children during the day

Infant and Toddler Child Care Centers

• A facility other than a private home where children age six weeks to 36 months are cared for

Before and After School Child Care Facilities

• A childcare facility other than a private home for providing child care to children age four years and eight months or older before the opening or after the closing of the regular school day

Childcare licensing requirements in Hawaii

Starting a daycare requires quite a few steps, starting with licensing. In addition to having a business plan, you must comply with Hawaii childcare licensing requirements to operate a daycare business.

Family child care homes 

Maximum group size

• Can care for up to six children under 6 years old during the day
• Can care for no more than two children under 18 months old without additional adult help but can care for up to four children under 18 months with additional adult help

Staff to child ratios

Staff qualifications

A provider must:

• Be at least 18 years old
• Reside in the home

Other requirements:

• CPR and first aid certification
• Physical exam and TB test
• Criminal background checks
• Employment history background check
• Fingerprinting and child abuse background checks
• Two references
• Three-year employment history

Group child care centers and group child care homes

Staff to child ratios for group child care centers

Maximum group size for group child care homes

• Can care for up to 12 children

Staff qualifications

A director of a facility licensed for six or more children must:

• Be at least 18 years old
• Have a bachelor’s degree in any field and two years of experience working with children, or a combination of two years of college education and four years of experience

A teacher must be at least 18 years old and have one of the following qualifications:

• A degree in early childhood education or child development plus six months of experience

• A postsecondary credential in a child development associate program or organized two-year college program and certificate in early childhood education, plus one year supervised teaching experience in an early childhood program
• A bachelor’s degree in elementary education plus six months working in an early childhood program, plus six credits approved child development or early childhood training courses
• A bachelor’s degree in any field plus six months working in an early childhood program, plus twelve credits approved child development or early childhood training courses

An assistant teacher must be at least 18 years old and have one of the following qualifications:

• Post secondary credential in child development associate program or associate’s degree and certificate in early childhood education, and six months experience working in an early childhood program
• Two years of post secondary education plus six months working in an early childhood program and nine credits approved child development or early childhood training courses

Other requirements:

• CPR and first aid training
• Physical exam and TB test
• Criminal background check
• Employment history background check
• Fingerprinting and child abuse background checks

Infant and toddler child care centers

Staff to child ratios

The ratios for each age group depend on the group size.

Staff qualifications 

A director of an infant and toddler center must:

• Be at least 18 years old
• Have a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education, child development, or related field, with 30 hours of coursework in infant and toddler development and at least one year of full time experience working with children under 36 months in a licensed group care setting; or
• Two years of college education in early childhood education, child development, or related field, with 30 hours of coursework in infant and toddler development and two years of full time experience working with children under 36 months in a licensed group care setting

A lead caregiver must be at least 18 years old and have one of the following qualifications: 

• A bachelor’s degree in early childhood education or child development or related fields plus one year of full time experience working with children under 36 months in a licensed group setting, and 12 credits approved early childhood education training courses, including 30 hours coursework in infant and toddler development
• A high school diploma or equivalent and credential in child development associate program and two years of full time experience working with children under five years of age in a licensed group care setting, and 12 credits approved early childhood education training courses, including 30 hours coursework in infant and toddler development
• Two years of college and two years of full time experience working with children under five years of age in a licensed group care setting, and 12 credits approved early childhood education training courses, including 30 hours coursework in infant and toddler development

A caregiver must be at least 18 years old and have one of the following qualifications:

• A high school diploma or equivalent and one year of full time experience working with children under 36 months in a licensed group care setting, and 12 credits approved early childhood education training courses, including 30 hours coursework in infant and toddler development
• A high school diploma or equivalent and two years of full time experience working with children under 36 months in a licensed group care setting, and 30 hours coursework in infant and toddler development
• No high school diploma and 36 months of full time experience working with children under 36 months in a licensed group care setting and 30 hours of coursework in infant and toddler development

Other training requirements:

• CPR and first aid training
• Physical exam
• TB test
• Criminal background checks
• Employment history background check
• Fingerprinting and child abuse background checks

Childcare license application in Hawaii

Below are the steps to take when applying for a Hawaii childcare license.

Step 1: Complete and submit your application

Complete the appropriate application for the type of childcare program you are opening:

• Group child care center, group child care home, infant & toddler child care center licensing forms
• Family child care home registration forms

Your application should include the following documents:

• Supplemental application forms
• Written statement of operation policies
• Certificate of occupancy
• Employment history clearance forms
• Child abuse or neglect history check
• Criminal history check

Step 2: Prepare for facility inspection

The department will assign a childcare licensing worker to inspect your facility for compliance after receiving and reviewing your application. You’re required to address any concerns arising from the inspection before the department reviews your application further.

Step 3: Wait for approval

The department will review your application after the mandatory facility inspection and then issue a license if you comply with the health and safety standards.

How to stay compliant with a daycare license in Hawaii

To run a successful childcare business, you need to do more than just obtain a daycare license. You should also create a comprehensive business plan and choose a catchy name for your daycare. A well-crafted plan will serve as the basis for your business, outlining your mission statement, policies and procedures, budgeting, and marketing strategies.

Whether you open a center-based program or run a preschool from home, you can streamline your operations with the help of a tool like brightwheel's center management software. This software streamlines enrollment, attendance tracking, scheduling, and more.

All childcare licenses in Hawaii expire after a year and must be renewed annually for the first four years. License renewal is conditional after four years and is based on center performance. Contact your local childcare licensing unit if you have any concerns.

Starting a daycare business in Hawaii

Starting a daycare business in Hawaii can be rewarding as you have the opportunity to impact families and young children in your community. However, it requires careful planning and compliance with state regulations in order to obtain the proper license. Follow the steps and guidelines in this guide to easily navigate the licensing requirements and focus on the next stage of your business.