Licensed Daycare in Honolulu, Hawaii
121 licensed daycares in Honolulu, verified weekly. Compare cost, age groups, and Head Start spots in your ZIP — directly from official Hawaii licensing records.
Honolulu listings updated August 2026 from official Hawaii records.
Daycare in Honolulu: what parents should know
Our directory lists 121 licensed childcare providers in Honolulu, Hawaii. Every provider here holds a current Hawaii license at indexing time, sourced from Hawaii DHS — Child Care Connection Hawaii.
For age coverage, 17 centers in Honolulu report infant care (roughly 14% — infant slots are the scarcest and fill fastest, so start early), and 16 offer preschool programs for ages 3–5. 16 are Head Start programs, free for income-eligible families.
Licensed care in Honolulu spans 8+ ZIP codes, so families can usually find an option within a short commute. About 9% are family child care homes — typically smaller group sizes and 10–30% cheaper than centers, a good fit for infants and toddlers.
Combined, Honolulu's licensed centers hold about 8,345 licensed seats — a practical gauge of how much local supply competes for each opening.
Honolulu childcare by the numbers
Childcare costs in Honolulu
ChildCare Aware reports the Hawaii average full-time cost at $1,380/month for infant care and $1,020/month for preschool. City-level prices in Honolulu vary by ZIP code and program model — Head Start sites are free for eligible families, family daycare homes typically run 10-30% below center rates, and accredited centers run above the average.
The Child & Dependent Care Tax Credit and a Dependent Care FSA ($5,000 max) reduce effective cost regardless of program. Hawaii families may also qualify for Hawaii CCCS (Child Care Connection Subsidy) (intake: (808) 692-7100).
Full Hawaii licensing & cost overviewQuick facts
- State regulator
- Hawaii DHS — Child Care Connection Hawaii
- Infant ratio
- 1:4
- Toddler ratio
- 1:6
- Preschool ratio
- 1:12
- Avg capacity
- 68 kids
What will daycare actually cost you in Honolulu?
Estimate your monthly cost by age and program type, then see which subsidies and tax credits you may qualify for.
What to pack for the first day
Contains affiliate links
Dishwasher-safe ones survive daily bottle washing; paper labels peel within a week.
See this one on Amazon →
Ask the center first — many supply cots but require your own fitted sheet.
See this one on Amazon →
Two full changes per day for potty-training age, one for older kids.
Browse options on Amazon →
Most centers ask for one clearly named bottle a child can open alone.
Browse options on Amazon →
Needed if the center does not provide meals; look for one that fits an ice pack.
Browse options on Amazon →As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Prices are the same for you. Full list by age in our daycare supply checklist.
Largest licensed centers in Honolulu
By licensed capacity on file — bigger programs often mean more openings and age groups. Always verify the current license before enrolling.
No openings near Honolulu? Widen the search
Waitlists are normal in high-demand areas. Centers one ZIP code over often have space, and part-time or in-home options may open sooner — start by checking nearby ZIP codes.
Found a center in Honolulu? Here is what to pack
Bottles, name labels, nap bedding and spare clothes — our checklist by age covers what centers ask you to bring, and what they ask you not to send.
All Honolulu licensed centers
Page 9 of 9Open a listing for the full state-registry record — capacity, age range, contact info, and license issue date.
Quick answers about subsidies, costs, and how to vet a provider in this area.
How many licensed daycare centers are in Honolulu, Hawaii?
What's the average daycare cost in Honolulu?
What staff-to-child ratios apply in Honolulu daycares?
Are subsidies available for daycare in Honolulu?
How do I verify a Honolulu daycare's license?
Where to get childcare help in Honolulu
Free, official channels for finding licensed care, checking quality ratings, and applying for assistance — no account or fee required.
Child Care Resource & Referral counselors help you find vetted local options.
1-800-424-2246 · Find yoursUnited Way's free, confidential line connects you to local childcare, food, and family aid.
Call 211 · 211.orgFree early education for income-eligible families and pregnant women.
Find a programHawaii CCCS (Child Care Connection Subsidy) can cover most of your childcare cost by income.
(808) 692-7100 · How to applyCheck NAEYC accreditation and your state's quality-rating (QRIS) for any provider.
Find quality careConfirm any provider's current license & inspection record with Hawaii DHS — Child Care Connection Hawaii.
Official license searchChildcare resources for Honolulu
Data and guidance on this page draw on official government and nonprofit sources.
How this data is sourced. Listings for Honolulu, Hawaii are compiled from official Hawaii DHS — Child Care Connection Hawaii licensing records and cross-checked for current license status — not paid placements or user star-ratings. Rankings never depend on advertising. Provider details change often, so always confirm directly before enrolling. Reviewed by the DaycareHub editorial team · August 2026 · methodology
Search 121 Licensed Centers in Honolulu
Free, no signup, verified directly with Hawaii DHS — Child Care Connection Hawaii.