Preschool

After uncertainty regarding federal funding cuts, the Head Start program has received the federal funds needed to open this school year in nine locations across Maui County, operated by Maui Economic Opportunity.

Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke is leading the Ready Keiki initiative to provide more preschools across the islands to help struggling families. Speaking to The Conversation, she shared the news that Ready Keiki will expand with additional preschool sites this fall.

Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke talked with us about two initiatives she has taken on: broadband and early childhood education.

Deborah Zysman, the executive director of the nonprofit Hawaiʻi Children's Action Network, said that with more parents returning to the workplace, there is only one open child care spot for every four children.

Since the beginning of August, K-12 students have had the option of wearing a mask in school. But preschools and child care centers still had to follow the old guidelines. Starting as soon as Thursday, children under age 5 will have the option of wearing a mask at their preschool or child care center. HPR's Casey Harlow has more.

The Blangiardi administration is extending the lease of a downtown Honolulu preschool until August 2023. It's the latest move to accommodate the relocation of an essential early education center. HPR's Casey Harlow has more.

A new report finds Hawaiʻi is one of the best and the worst when it comes to early education in the U.S. While the state is a leader in quality and investment, it isn't in access or enrollment. HPR's Casey Harlow reports.

Mayor Rick Blangiardi announced Tuesday the city will be extending the Early Education Center's lease for another six months to allow more time to find a new location for the preschool. However, Blangiardi stressed repairs to the parking structure below the school are long overdue. HPR's Casey Harlow has more.

One of the largest preschools on Oʻahu will be closing the doors at its downtown Honolulu location later this year. Its closure not only impacts local families, but an already strained early education system. HPR's Casey Harlow reports.

Among the 43 states that have a publicly funded preschool program, Hawaii ranks last with less than 5% of 4-year-olds enrolled. That's according to a 2017…