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.