Hawaii ChildcareLicensing Requirements
Stay compliant with Hawaii DHS Child Care Licensing (HAR Title 17, Chapter 892) regulations. Bloomily helps Hawaii childcare centers manage staff ratios, certifications, and emergency drills — all in one platform.
Staff-to-Child Ratios
Required ratios for Hawaii licensed childcare facilities
| Age Group | Staff : Children | Max Group Size |
|---|---|---|
Infants (0-12 months) Infants 6 weeks to 18 months | 1:4 | 8 children |
Young Toddlers (12-24 months) Toddlers 18-36 months | 1:6 | 12 children |
Preschool (3-5 years) Three year olds | 1:10 | 20 children |
prek Four and five year olds | 1:12 | 24 children |
School Age (5+ years) School-age 5+ years | 1:15 | 30 children |
Bloomily automatically monitors staff-to-child ratios in real-time and alerts you when you're approaching limits.
Required Certifications
Certifications required for Hawaii childcare staff
Annual Training (Hawaii)
Hawaii requires minimum 20 clock hours annual professional development including health and safety topics
Child Abuse Registry Check (Hawaii)
Hawaii Child Protective Services central registry check required
Criminal Background Check (Hawaii)
Hawaii Criminal Justice Data Center background check and FBI fingerprint check required
Director Qualifications (Hawaii)
Director qualifications per HAR §17-892-21 including education, experience, and administrator credential
First Aid (Hawaii)
Pediatric first aid certification required
Food Handler Certification (Hawaii)
Hawaii Department of Health food handler certification for staff preparing food
Group Leader Qualifications (Hawaii)
Group leader qualifications per HAR §17-892-22
Health Clearance (Hawaii)
Physical health examination and clearance required
Mandated Reporter Training
California mandated reporter training for child abuse
Mandatory Reporter Training (Hawaii)
Hawaii mandatory reporter training on recognizing and reporting child abuse and neglect
Orientation Training (Hawaii)
Initial orientation training within first 90 days of employment covering policies, procedures, and emergency plans
Pediatric CPR (Hawaii)
Infant and child CPR certification required for all caregivers
Safe Sleep Training (Hawaii)
Safe sleep training required for infant caregivers
TB Clearance (Hawaii)
Tuberculosis clearance required for all staff before working with children
Bloomily tracks certification expiration dates and sends automated renewal reminders before they lapse.
Emergency Drill Requirements
Required safety drills for Hawaii childcare facilities
Required Drills
Fire Drill
Monthly fire drills required, documented with date, time, number of children, and evacuation time
Ref: HAR §17-892-46
Earthquake
Earthquake/drop-cover-hold drills twice per year
Ref: HAR §17-892-46
Lockdown/Security
Lockdown/shelter-in-place drills twice per year
Ref: HAR §17-892-46
Evacuation
Full evacuation to alternate location annually
Ref: HAR §17-892-46
Hurricane
Hurricane preparedness drill annually before hurricane season
Ref: HAR §17-892-46
Tsunami
Tsunami evacuation drills twice per year for facilities in tsunami zones
Ref: HAR §17-892-46
Bloomily automatically schedules drills and tracks completion to ensure you never miss a requirement.
Pre-Inspection Checklist
50 items based on Hawaii DHS Child Care Licensing (HAR Title 17, Chapter 892) requirements
Current DHS license posted and visible
Ref: HAR §17-892-8
License capacity and age groups displayed
Ref: HAR §17-892-8
Liability insurance current and on file
Ref: HAR §17-892-15
Parent handbook available with policies
Ref: HAR §17-892-40
Attendance records maintained daily
Ref: HAR §17-892-41
Incident/accident reports documented
Ref: HAR §17-892-48
Complaint procedures posted
Ref: HAR §17-892-40
Emergency procedures posted in each room
Ref: HAR §17-892-46
Operating hours posted
Ref: HAR §17-892-8
Fee schedule available to parents
Ref: HAR §17-892-40
All staff have current background checks (Hawaii and FBI)
Ref: HAR §17-892-12
Child Protective Services registry checks completed
Ref: HAR §17-892-12
Director meets qualification requirements
Ref: HAR §17-892-21
Group leaders meet qualification requirements
Ref: HAR §17-892-22
All staff have current pediatric CPR certification
Ref: HAR §17-892-23
All staff have current first aid certification
Ref: HAR §17-892-23
Annual training hours documented (20 hours minimum)
Ref: HAR §17-892-24
Mandatory reporter training current
Ref: HAR §17-892-23
Safe sleep training for infant caregivers
Ref: HAR §17-892-23
TB clearance on file for all staff
Ref: HAR §17-892-13
Health clearance on file for all staff
Ref: HAR §17-892-13
Staff orientation completed within 90 days
Ref: HAR §17-892-24
Enrollment forms complete for each child
Ref: HAR §17-892-41
Emergency contact information current
Ref: HAR §17-892-41
Immunization records current (or valid exemption)
Ref: HAR §11-157
Health information on file for each child
Ref: HAR §17-892-41
Allergy and special needs documented
Ref: HAR §17-892-41
Authorized pickup persons documented
Ref: HAR §17-892-41
Medication authorization forms complete
Ref: HAR §17-892-43
Field trip/transportation permission on file
Ref: HAR §17-892-44
First aid kits stocked and accessible
Ref: HAR §17-892-35
Medications stored properly (locked)
Ref: HAR §17-892-43
Cleaning and sanitizing procedures followed
Ref: HAR §17-892-36
Handwashing procedures posted
Ref: HAR §17-892-36
Diapering and toileting procedures followed
Ref: HAR §17-892-36
Safe sleep practices followed for infants
Ref: HAR §17-892-37
Food handling and safety requirements met
Ref: HAR §17-892-38
Food handler certification current (food prep staff)
Ref: HAR §17-892-38
Hazardous materials stored safely
Ref: HAR §17-892-35
Tobacco, alcohol, and weapons prohibited
Ref: HAR §17-892-35
Fire drill records current (monthly)
Ref: HAR §17-892-46
Tsunami drill records current (semi-annual)
Ref: HAR §17-892-46
Earthquake drill records current (semi-annual)
Ref: HAR §17-892-46
Hurricane preparedness drill completed (annual)
Ref: HAR §17-892-46
Emergency evacuation plan posted and current
Ref: HAR §17-892-46
Fire extinguishers inspected and accessible
Ref: HAR §17-892-46
Indoor space meets 35 sq ft per child requirement
Ref: HAR §17-892-31
Outdoor play area safe and enclosed
Ref: HAR §17-892-32
Staff-to-child ratios maintained at all times
Ref: HAR §17-892-30
PATCH quality rating posted (if participating)
Ref: PATCH Hawaii
Track your Hawaii compliance digitally
Bloomily keeps your checklist updated, tracks staff certifications, and alerts you before items expire.
Nearby State Requirements
Requirements vary by state. Click to view specific licensing requirements.
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