Full-day preschool for ages 2-5
Preschool Open Doors (POD) Tuition Assistance Preschool Open Doors (POD) helps eligible families pay for preschool tuition for children ages 2–4 for the July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027 school year. Age Eligibility Expanded: 2-4 Years old Income Eligibility
Eligible Preschools: Applications Open May 29, 2026
How to Apply
POD Instructions, Income Eligibility Chart, and Application See ALL Financial Aid Options in the drop-down menu below. |
Preschool creates a home-like environment that allows kids to feel comfortable and safe while developing close relationships.
- Supports, empowers, encourages, and cultivates each child to recognize their own personal value.
- Incorporates a culturally diverse curriculum that represents Hawaii’s demographic.
- Provides enriching experiences through the immersion of arts, culture, music, creative expression, and literature with opportunities for exploration and discovery and environmental awareness.
- Fosters enjoyment in activities that support physical development.
- Provides learning opportunities that nurture cognitive, social-emotional, physical and creative development to ensure each child is well prepared to enter school.
- If your child isn’t quite ready for full-day preschool, explore the part-day early-learning program.
Locations & Hours
YMCA Leeward Preschool
94-440 Mokuola Street, Waipahu
Phone: 808-671-6495
Monday through Friday, 7am to 5:30pm
YMCA Pali Nu'uanu Preschool
Formerly the Children's Center at Nu'uanu Congregational Church
2651 Pali Hwy, Honolulu
Phone: 808-347-9667
Monday through Friday, 7:30am to 5:30pm
Read our recent article in Hawaii Parent Magazine about our amazing teachers at YMCA Pali Nu'uanu Preschool.
Coming Soon: YMCA Kailua Infant, Toddler, and Preschool Center
Full-Day Care for ages 6 weeks to under 6 years
We’re excited to share that the YMCA of Honolulu is in the process of licensing a new early learning location on the grounds of St. John Lutheran Church (1004 Kailua Rd).
Once licensed, this location will welcome infants, toddlers, and preschoolers under the age of 6 into a safe, nurturing, and fun environment that supports early learning, social development, and school readiness.
Read our recent article in Hawaii Parent Magazine about our newest preschool featuring thoughtfully designed classrooms and a play- and research-based curriculum.
Although we are not yet open for enrollment, families interested in joining can complete our online interest form. We’ll be sure to contact you as soon as enrollment begins!
Registration and Enrollment
A pre-registration interview and tour is recommended. At the pre-registration interview, you will receive an information Packet. Once you have completed the forms and gathered required documentation outlined in the packet, they must be returned in person.
Kids are accepted and enrolled for the school year, August through May. It’s optional to enroll in summer and intersession programs for an additional fee.
Fees and Payment
The monthly fee is $1,541 per child. With a Y family membership, the discounted monthly rate is $1,387 per child.
Note: Effective June 1, 2026, the monthly fee will increase to $1,618 per child, or with a Y family membership the discounted monthly rate will be $1,518 per child.
For those who qualify for financial aid, a total discount of up to 60% is possible. Federal and state subsidies are also available for those who qualify. Please see the drop-down menu below under Financial Aid.
There is a charge of $5 for each 5-minute increment of care, which will be assessed for parents/guardians arriving after the pick-up window (e.g., pick up between 1-5 minutes late will result in $5, 6-10 minutes late will result in $10, etc.). Please have your exact amount of payment available as our staff do not have access to change, or the charge will be added to your electronic fund transfer account.
Upon registration, payment must be submitted for the first month of the program. Tuition for subsequent months can be paid in full, or in quarterly/monthly installments. Payment can be made online or in person.
Financial Aid
Families should first explore available public subsidy programs. If additional support is needed, YMCA financial assistance may also be available.
Our YMCA Association Services Center can help families navigate available preschool tuition assistance programs. Give us a call at 808-678-4296 or email [email protected].
| YMCA Leeward Preschool | YMCA Pali Nu'uanu Preschool | YMCA Kailua Preschool | |
| Child Care Subsidy (Formerly Child Care Connection Hawaii) helps low-income families to sustain their employment, educational efforts, and job training by paying a subsidy for licensed preschool childcare: View details and apply. View Child Care Subsidy Eligibility Sliding Fee Scale Chart. | Accepted | Accepted | Accepted |
| Preschool Open Doors (POD): Tuition assistance for eligible families earning up to 500% of the Federal Poverty Level with children ages 2–4 born August 1, 2021, through July 31, 2024. Program year: July 1, 2026–June 30, 2027. Applications open May 29, 2026. Families currently receiving POD must reapply. Funding is limited, so apply early. Apply online or submit completed application with supporting documents to PATCH POD. | Accepted | Accepted | Accepted |
| YMCA Annual Campaign Financial Assistance: Additional tuition assistance may be available for qualifying families thanks to generous YMCA donors. Families must first apply for all eligible public subsidy programs before YMCA assistance can be considered. View details and apply. | Accepted | Accepted | Accepted |
| Keiki O Ka 'Aina's HELP for Child Care Program provides assistance for children ages 6 weeks up to 12 years of age. Children must be Native Hawaiian, American Indian, or Alaska Native. View details and apply. | Accepted | Accepted | Accepted |
| Child Care Aware® of America: Fee assistance program for Military and DoD families. View details and apply. | Accepted | N/A | N/A |
| Military Child Care in Your Neighborhood (MCCYN): MCCYN fee assistance is a DoD- and U.S. Coast Guard-funded program administered by each Service for eligible families who cannot access military-operated child care due to distance or waitlists. With fee assistance, a portion of your child care costs is paid to offset the costs of community-based care. View details and apply. | Accepted | N/A | N/A |
Required: Tuberculosis (TB) Clearance
By the first day of school, all students entering childcare, preschool, or school in Hawai‘i for the first time must have Tuberculosis (TB) Clearance. You can complete the State of Hawaii TB Clearance Form or provide one from your child's doctors office.
Drop off and pick up
Please escort or pick up your child to or from their classroom and be sure to sign them in and out.
Drop-off and pick-up hours
- YMCA Leeward Preschool
- 7-7:30am and 4-4:30 pm
- YMCA Pali Nu'uanu Preschool
- 7:30-8am and 4-4:30 pm
If there are circumstances in which your family needs a later drop off time for a specific day, please call the preschool site location.
Supply List
Please ensure your child brings the following items each day:
- Wet Wipes
- At least one change of clothes–please label all items
- A blanket/sleeping mat for quiet and rest times
- A jacket
- Footwear for outdoor play
- A daily lunch and 2 daily snacks (morning and afternoon) for children enrolled in full day program OR a daily lunch and 1 daily snack for children enrolled in part-time program
- A daily or refillable water bottle
- 3 composition books (ruled)
- If wearing a mask, please have an extra mask in a ziplock bag with their name on it
Health and Safety
To promote a safe environment for all youth participants and our staff, please follow these safety rules:
- Stay home when unwell: To promote a safe environment for all youth participants and our staff; please do not send your child to preschool if they have a fever or are not feeling well.