Chapter 29 – Childcare And Education

For families with children, one of the highest priorities when moving to a new city is finding quality childcare and quality schools. The task can be a daunting one.

Childcare and education options can significantly influence where you and your family purchase your home, especially if you’re choosing to enroll your children in a public school where location determines which school your child will attend. As such, it’s advisable to begin researching childcare and education options as early as possible. Below is a collection of resources that can be valuable in your research. They include a number of local and national agencies and other Websites that provide tips and suggestions, maintain comprehensive directories, and/or operate helpful hotlines in addition to other services.

Please note that the inclusion and/or mention of businesses, schools, agencies, and other service providers in this chapter are not an endorsement of any kind. To ensure your child receives the best care and/or education, never underestimate the value of thoroughly researching childcare centers, agencies, and schools. Another good resource for bringing your children to Hawaii for the first time can be found on the Department of Education’s website, the Hawaii Parent Information Resource Center. It can be found on the link below!

 

http://www.hawaiipublicschools.org/ParentsAndStudents/MovingToHawaii/Pages/Home.aspx

DAYCARE

When it comes to childcare in Maui County and the surrounding areas, families are not without their options, and more often than not, it’s not finding quality childcare that’s the issue, but rather it’s narrowing down the options and then picking the “right” option that can be tricky and overwhelming.

Luckily, there are some great resources available to families new to the area that can help bring the daunting task down to a more manageable level. First off there is a childcare placement agency in Maui County that aids parents in childcare placement. Their contact information is below:

 

PATCH

650 Iwilei Rd, Ste 205

Honolulu HI 96817

Call (808) 839-1988

 

Whether you’re considering a childcare center, or a church-organized daycare, there are numerous options in and around Maui County. For a comprehensive list of businesses offering childcare services, look under “Child Care Services” and “Day Care Centers & Nurseries” in the Yellow Pages. Another good resource is the Childcare Center US website. Listed below is the Maui County portion of the website, it shows all of the childcare options registered with that site in Maui County.

http://childcarecenter.us/county/maui_hi#.Uo-GXuLa87o

WHAT’S HERE

The Maui County area offers a number of different types of daycare options ranging from small-group environments to preschools to more traditional childcare centers. Maui County mostly has Childcare Centers, which is mostly a center in which three or more children are cared for in a building that is not the childcare provider’s home. In Maui County there are no registered childcare homes/centers. Maui County also has a number of religiously affiliated childcare centers. All of the centers that are registered can be found on the Childcare Center US website.

 Nannies and Babysitters

Families who choose nannies/baby sitters as their primary childcare providers often point to the one-on-one attention and flexibility that’s commonly associated with having a nanny/babysitter (as compared to daycare centers or other group settings) as some of the most important reasons behind their choice. But this one-on-one attention does come at a price. Furthermore, many of the Nanny/Babysitting services in the Maui County area are providing childcare for tourists on vacation, so they are a bit more expensive. Of course, one way to find childcare services of this type is to place ads in the local paper. The best resource, however, is asking other parents how they get their babysitter or childcare needs satisfied. The best reference is a happy parent/family! Personal references can be difficult for newcomers, so below are some ideas to get you started!

Nanny Placement Services

If you’re a first-time nanny seeker or prefer services that help you prescreen nanny candidates, placement agencies can help with the logistics of finding a nanny for your family. These agencies screen candidates and perform background checks. Even so, always verify the status of these checks with the agency before hiring any nanny. Agencies do require placement fees, deposits, and sometimes other fees for their services. Contact each agency directly for detailed information on their fees and requirements.

• The Nanny Connection focuses more on short term babysitting, and can be expensive ($19/hour, 3 hour minimum). For more information, visit their website: http://www.thenannyconnection.com/
• The Childcare/Nanny service can also be contacted to place babysitters and nannies. 140 Uwapo Rd Kihei, HI 96753‎ (808) 874-6167

 

If you prefer to find a nanny on your own, there are a number of resources at your disposal. In this area finding a nanny on your own may be the cheaper option.

4EverythingNanny.com, www.4nanny.com; provides helpful how-to articles and a classified ads section

International Nanny Association, 888-878-1477, www.nanny.org; provides helpful tools for your nanny search and hiring process

NannyAnswers.com, www.nannyanswers.com; a catch-all Website for frequently asked questions about nannies

AU PAIRS

The terms “au pair” and “nanny” are often used interchangeably, but there are notable differences between the two. As such, while a nanny may be a good fit for one family, an au pair may be a better fit for another.

Au pairs are typically between the ages of 18 and 26 and usually remain with a family for one year. Unlike nannies, au pairs aren’t necessarily seeking professional careers in childcare; their yearlong commitment provides work experience but also functions as a cultural exchange program. Families with au pairs act as “host families”; the au pair provides childcare, and in return, the host family provides room, board, use of a vehicle, and a small stipend. Host families are also encouraged to facilitate continued education of the au pair while he/she is working in the U.S. Compensation for au pairs can be considerably less than nannies, ranging from $176.85 to $250 per week (approximately $9,000 to $13,000 per year, respectively) plus expenses.

Agencies that can assist with au pair screening and placement include:

• Au Pair in America, 800-928-7247, www.aupairinamerica.com
• AuPairCare Live-In Child Care, 800-428-7247, www.aupaircare.com
• Cultural Care Au Pair, 800-333-6056, www.culturalcare.com
• GreatAupair, 775-215-5770, www.greataupair.com
• InterExchange AuPair USA, 1-800-AUPAIRS, www.aupairusa.org

PARENTING PUBLICATIONS

Hawaii Parent Magazine is an excellent resource for parents new to the Hawaiian Islands. You can find fun family activities, educational programs, and even qualified pediatricians. You can visit their website, or contact them using the information below!

 

Charles H. Harrington, Publisher

350 Ward Avenue, Suite 106-304

Honolulu, Hawaii 96814

Tel: (808) 848-8886

http://www.hawaii-parent.com/index.html

 

Another excellent publication is Honolulu Family. This publication gives parents tons of information about what is going on all over Hawaii (not just Honolulu), as well as informative articles and resources for everything from school to dentists for kids. You can visit their website, or contact them using the information below!

 

HONOLULU Family

1000 Bishop St., Suite 405

Honolulu, Hawaii 96813

Phone: (808) 534-7544

www.honolulufamily.com

Public schools

Below is a list of all public schools in Maui County, including charter schools. To find out more information about enrollment, diversity, and success/accreditation of the school you are interested in, go to the Hawaii Department of Education website, and click on reports. It is an excellent resource for choosing public school districts for your children.

 

www.hawaiipublicschools.org

Baldwin High School

1650 Kaahumanu Ave. Wailuku, Maui, HI 96793

(808) 984-5674

 

Haiku Elementary School

105 Pauwela Road Haiku, Maui, HI 96708

(808) 575-3000

 

Hana High School and Elementary

P.O. Box 128 Hana, Maui, HI 96713

(808) 248-4815

 

Iao Intermediate School

260 South Market St. Wailuku, Maui, HI 96793

(808) 984-5610

 

Kahului Elementary School

410 South Hina Avenue Kahului, Maui, HI 96732

(808) 873-3055

 

Kalama Intermediate School

120 Makani Road Makawao, Maui, HI 96768

(808) 573-8735

 

Kamalii Elementary School

180 Alanui Ke Alii Kihei, Maui, HI 96753

(808) 875-6840

 

Kamehameha III Elementary School

611 Front St. Lahaina, Maui, HI 96761

(808) 662-3955

 

Kaunakakai Elementary School

P.O. Box 1950 Kaunakakai, Molokai, HI 96748

(808) 553-1730

 

Keanae Elementary School

P.O. Box 128 Hana, Maui, HI 96713

(808) 248-4841

 

Kihei Elementary School

250 E. Lipoa Kihei, Maui, HI 96753

(808) 875-6818

 

Kihei Public Charter High School

300 Ohukai Road Suite 209 Kihei, Maui, HI 96753

(808) 875-0700

 

Kilohana Elementary School

HC 01 Box 334 Kaunakakai, Molokai, HI 96748

(808) 558-2200

 

King Kekaulike High School

121 Kula Highway Pukalani, Maui, HI 96768

(808) 573-8710

 

Kualapuu Elementary NCPCCS

260 Farrington Ave. Kaulapuu, Molokai, HI 96757

(808) 567-6900

 

Kula Elementary School

5000 Kula Highway Kula, Maui, HI 96790

(808) 876-7610

 

Lahaina Intermediate School

871 Lahainaluna Road Lahaina, Maui, HI 96761

(808) 662-3965

 

Lahainaluna High School

980 Lahainaluna Road Lahaina, Maui, HI 96761

(808) 662-4000

 

Lanai High School and Elementary

P.O. Box 630630 Lanai City, Lanai, HI 96763

(808) 565-7900

 

Lihikai Elementary School

335 S. Papa Ave. Kahului, Maui, HI 96732

(808) 873-3033

 

Lokelani Intermediate School

1401 Liloa Drive Kihei, Maui, HI 96761

(808) 875-6800

 

Makawao Elementary School

3542 Baldwin Ave. Makawao, Maui, HI 96768

(808) 573-8770

 

Maui High School

660 S. Lono Ave Kahului, Maui, HI 96732

(808) 873-3000

 

Maui Waena Intermediate School

795 Onehee St. Kahului, Maui, HI 96732

(808) 873-3070

 

Maunaloa Elementary School

P.O. Box 128 Maunaloa, Molokai, HI 96770

(808) 567-6900

 

Molokai High School

2140 Farrington Ave. Hoolehua, Molokai, HI 96729

(808) 567-6950

 

Molokai Intermediate School

2175 Lihi Pali Ave. Hoolehua, Molokai, HI 96729

(808) 567-6940

 

Paia Elementary School

955 Baldwin Ave. Paia, Maui, HI 96779

(808) 579-2100

 

Pomaikai Elementary School

4650 S. Kamehameha ave. Kahului, Maui, HI 96732

(808) 873-9410

 

Princess Nahienaena Elementary School

816 Niheu St. Lahaina, Maui, HI 96761

(808) 662-4020

 

Pukalani Elementary School

2945 Iolani St. Pukalani, Maui, HI 96768

(808) 573-8760

 

University of Hawaii Maui College

310 Kaahumanu Ave Kahului, Maui, HI 96732

(808) 984-3500

 

Waihee Elementary School

2125 Kahekili Highway Wailuku, Maui, HI 96793

(808) 984-5644

 

Wailuku Elementary School

355 S. High St. Wailuku, Maui, HI 96793

(808) 984-5622

Registering your children

The first step to registering your child or children for a school is determining what district your child is zoned for. The easiest way to tell what school your child is zoned for is to go to the Hawaii Department of Education website and use the school finder tool. Your assigned school is where you will register your children.

When registering your children, the following documents will be requested:

• Student Health Record (including immunizations)
• Birth Certificate
• Proof of current address
• Documents from a previous school (if applicable)
• Legal documents (if applicable)

Evaluating schools

If you are planning to send your child to public school, where you buy your home could certainly be affected by the school district your home is located in. There are many ways to evaluate the schools that your potential home is districted for. In Hawaii, the best way to do this is to visit the department of education’s website, and find the school your child could potentially be attending. The report card can tell you a number of things about the school, including test scores, teacher to student ratios, and the amount of funding the school receives from the state. However, you should certainly not let this be your only tool for evaluating the school. Pay a visit to the school (making an appointment is best), ask other parents about their experiences, and even contact teachers within the school to see what they have to say. Visiting each school’s website can be helpful, and can give you information particular to that school as well, such as

School philosophy as outlined in the school’s statement of philosophy or mission statement

• Instructional approaches
• School facilities/personnel resources
• School policies
• School safety
• Curriculum
• Family and community involvement

 

To find the Hawaii State report card for the school you are interested in, go to the website www.hawaiipublicschools.org and click on the reports link. There you can find information about the specific school you are interested in.

Charter schools

For parents looking for a public-education alternative to traditional public schools, charter schools are a good option to consider. Charter schools are public schools with limited enrollment, and they often incorporate characteristics associated with private-school education such as smaller class sizes or more rigorous curricula.

Funded with public money, charters are not required to meet all the rules and regulations of traditional public schools but are subject to accountability for producing certain academic results among its students. Because charter schools receive public money, they do not charge tuition. Each school does have an admissions process, however. The particulars of the process vary from charter school to charter school, but the basic process is the same: Students and their families submit an application to the school(s) of their choice. Students meeting the admission requirements for the school are then entered into a lottery, and numbers are picked at random to determine which students will be granted available openings. For admission requirements and for particulars on each school’s admission process, it’s best to check each school’s website for details.

 

Kihei Charter School

http://www.kiheicharter.org/

 

Kualapuu Public Conversion Charter School

http://kualapuuschool.weebly.com/

Private and parochial schools

After much consideration, some parents decide a private or parochial school is the best option for their child. Maui County offers some private and parochial school offerings. They include both large and small school settings and both religiously affiliated schools and those without religious ties. Below is a list of a selection of private schools in the Maui County area, any religious affiliation is listed in parenthesis. First is the town the school is located in, the name, religious affiliation (if any, in parenthesis) and then the grades served.

 

• Haiku – Horizons Academy (Special Education School) 2-12
• Hoolehua – Molokai Christian Academy (Baptist) PK-12
• Kahului – Christ The King School (Roman Catholic) PK-6
• Kahului – Emmanuel Lutheran School (Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod) K-9
• Kahului – Kaahumanu Hou Christian School (Assembly of God) K-12
• Kahului – Maui Adventist School (Seventh-Day Adventist) K-9
• Kaunakakai – Aka’ula School 6-9
• Kaunakakai – Molokai Mission School (Seventh-Day Adventist) 5-8
• Kihei – Montessori Hale O Keiki (Montessori School) K-9
• Kula – Clearview Christian Girl School (All girl Christian) 7-9
• Kula – Haleakala Waldorf School (Special Program Emphasis) NS-10
• Lahaina – Maui Preparatory Academy PK-12
• Lahaina – Sacred Hearts School & Early Learning Center (Roman Catholic) PK-8
• Makawao – Carden Academy Of Maui K-9
• Makawao – Kamehameha Schools Maui (Christian) K-12
• Makawao – Montessori School Of Maui PK-8
• Makawao – Seabury Hall School (Episcopal) 6-12
• Makawao – St. Joseph School (Roman Catholic) K-6
• Paia – Doris Todd Memorial Christian School (Christian) PK-8
• Wailuku – St. Anthony Grade School (Roman Catholic) K-6
• Wailuku – St. Anthony Jr/Sr High School (Roman Catholic)

 

For more information regarding private schools in Hawaii, contact the Hawaii Association of Independent Schools.

 

Hawaii Association of Independent Schools

1585 Kapiolani Boulevard, Suite 1212

Honolulu, HI 96814-4527

http://www.hais.org/pages/4241_Home.asp

808-973-1540

Homeschooling

As per Hawaiian law, families are permitted to homeschool their children; any parent regardless of their educational background may homeschool their child. Any parent may file a letter of intent with the principal of the local school that the child would be enrolled in. The letter of intent states that the parent will be homeschooling the child. There are a few drawbacks to homeschooling children in Hawaii. The child will not be allowed to participate in school sponsored extracurricular activities. Also, homeschool credits do not contribute towards a high school diploma. Also, the parent will have to provide progress reports to the Hawaii Department of Education. These can be in the form of standardized test scores, an evaluation by a licensed educator, or a parent written report that includes examples of the student’s work. For more information about homeschooling your child in the state of Hawaii, visit the websites of or contact the organizations below.

 

The Hawaii Homeschool Association

http://www.hawaiihomeschoolassociation.org/index.html

 

The Department of Education for the state of Hawaii

http://www.hawaiipublicschools.org/Pages/home.aspx