HONOLULU (KHON2) -- Ready Keiki is the state’s multi-faceted plan to ensure all Hawaiʻi children are ready for kindergarten, ensuring their futures and promoting economic stability for local families. It was launched in January 2023 and is led by Lieutenant Governor Sylvia Luke.
Starting next week, 44 new public pre-K classrooms will open on every island, providing up to 820 new preschool seats to our public pre-K program inventory.
In addition to this, Hawaii was awarded $4.9 million from the federal Department of Labor to launch a state teacher apprenticeship program to support our teacher workforce. This will ail the state's teacher shortage.
There will also be advancements in subsidy programs for Hawaii's keiki. The cost of childcare and preschool can amount to rent for many families, ranging from $1,100 to $1,600.
Last week the state announced that the Preschool Open Doors, the state’s childcare monthly subsidy program, has expanded to a YEAR-ROUND application period.
This means, more families can apply and qualify for early learning financial assistance.