The Early School
2510 Bingham Street, Honolulu, HI 96826

Prospective Families

The Early School at a Glance

Founded

1973

Interim Director

Giselle Santana

Age Range

Early Education, 18 months–6 years

Licensed

Hawai’i Department of Human Services

Hours
  • YCP—7:30am–5:30pm (parents may drop off by 7:30am and can pick up any time after noon)
  • Preschool—7:00am–5:30pm (parents may drop off by 7:00am and can pick up any time after noon)
Teacher : Child Ratios
  • Young Children’s Program—1:5
  • Sky Room—1:7
  • Lokahi Room—1:8

Notable at The Early School

  • One of the first preschools in Hawaii to be accredited by NAEYC
  • Year-round school operation (high quality in-school child care is offered at cost for both Christmas and Spring breaks; there is also a two-week break in July for the faculty/staff retreat and workshops to prepare for the new school year)
  • Hours suited to busy families (single tuition includes full-day program)
  • Instead of “after-school day care,” a separate emergent afternoon curriculum, including field trips, with qualified and experienced afternoon faculty
  • Focus on Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) in a hands-on environment.

Criteria for Accepting Children

The Early School welcomes all families to apply, and admits children on a first come, first served basis after the following criteria have been met:

  • For the Young Children’s Program, children from 18 months to 3 years old are admitted. They can be in diapers.
  • For the Preschool, children must be toilet trained (as defined by the staff) at least one month prior to entry. At this level, previous experience with other children in a group setting, such as a home-based day care or playgroup, is preferred although it is not required. Children up to age 6 may attend.
  • The population mix will be considered, e.g. the ratio of girls to boys in the school and the ages of the children; to the extent possible, programs will be balanced.

Rolling Admissions

Families may enter the school at any time during the year, with the monthly fee pro-rated. To help children with the transition to school, the staff requires that all new children be picked up by lunchtime on their first day, and possibly for further days if staff deems it necessary for a positive transition. Check with your child’s classroom teaching team about appropriate pick-up times for the first week.

How to Apply

  1. Fill out an application form and return it with the $60 nonrefundable application fee. Applications are available for download, at the school, or by email upon request.
  2. Apply as early as possible! Demand is consistently high; we recommend you apply at least one year in advance.
  3. Contact the Office by phone or email to inquire about approximate wait-list times or to schedule a tour of our campus.

Downloadable Packets

Application Financial Aid Packet  

Hear From Our Parents

“Through The Early School, we learned that we really wanted to be involved in our children’s education. When we were growing up, my parents were not aware of what we were being taught. So it was through contact with The Early School that I learned I could be involved.”

Tuition and Financial Aid

Tuition is charged monthly, and varies by program (see individual programs for current tuition details). The Early School offers financial aid to a limited number of qualifying applicants. Applications for financial aid are available online or at the school office. Families applying for financial aid must be prepared to disclose annual income via your most recent federal income tax return. Applications can be mailed or hand-delivered to The Early School.*

*The Early School’s financial aid funds have been exhausted for the 2020-2021 school year.

Other sources:

Child Care Connection Hawaii

Preschool Open Doors

Pauahi Keiki Scholars

ADA Compliance

The Early School adheres to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and we accept and welcome children with disabilities who can be reasonably accommodated. The Staff will make the final decision of acceptance based on these guidelines:

  • No more than one child with special needs in each classroom (Young Children’s Program, Preschool Lokahi Room and Sky Room).
  • The availability of special help for children who, in the staff’s judgment, require assistance to function optimally in the school environment.

How to Apply

  1. Fill out an application form and return it with the $60 nonrefundable application fee. Applications are available for download, at the school, or by email upon request.
  2. Apply as early as possible! Demand is consistently high; we recommend you apply at least one year in advance.
  3. Contact the Office by phone or email to inquire about approximate wait-list times or to schedule a tour of our campus.

Downloadable Packets

Application Financial Aid Packet