How to start a daycare in Hawaii.
Hawaii Department of Human Services (DHS) licenses child care centers in Hawaii. These are the steps, each with the state's own page.
Steps checked on the state's own pages, November 4, 2026.
Opening a child care center in Hawaii, step by step
Read the rules for your license
Read the Hawaii Administrative Rules for the kind of license you want.
Source: Applying for a Child Care Center LicenseFill out the application
Sign the DHS 951 application form and the extra forms that go with it.
Source: Applying for a Child Care Center LicenseWrite your operation policies
Write a statement of how your center will run, on form DHS 952.
Source: Applying for a Child Care Center LicenseMeet county codes
Show your building meets county codes, with a Conditional Use Permit or Certificate of Occupancy.
Source: Applying for a Child Care Center LicenseSend employment history forms
Fill out the employment history forms, DHS 959 and DHS 959A.
Source: Applying for a Child Care Center LicenseClear background checks
Complete a child abuse and neglect check and a criminal history check.
Source: Applying for a Child Care Center LicensePass the licensing visit
A licensing worker inspects your whole facility and goes over the rules with you.
Source: Applying for a Child Care Center LicenseFix anything cited
Correct every problem found before your license is issued.
Source: Applying for a Child Care Center License
At a glance
- Who licenses centers
- Hawaii Department of Human Services (DHS), Child Care Licensing Program. Licenses child care centers and group child care homes. It registers family child care homes.Source: Child Care Licensing
- Group child care center
- Not in a private home, for children 24 months and olderSource: Child Care Regulations
- Infant and toddler center
- Not in a private home, for children 6 weeks to 36 months oldSource: Child Care Regulations
- License length
- One year at first, then up to two years after four years licensedSource: Hawaii Administrative Rules Title 17, Chapter 892.2: Licensing of Group Child Care Centers and Group Child Care Homes
- Background checks
- Done every yearSource: Hawaii Administrative Rules Title 17, Chapter 892.2: Licensing of Group Child Care Centers and Group Child Care Homes
- Liability insurance
- Required, with proof sent to DHSSource: Hawaii Administrative Rules Title 17, Chapter 892.2: Licensing of Group Child Care Centers and Group Child Care Homes
Good to know
- DHS staff and parents of enrolled children may visit at any time you are open.Source: Hawaii Administrative Rules Title 17, Chapter 892.2: Licensing of Group Child Care Centers and Group Child Care Homes
- After you are licensed, report big changes to your licensing worker.Source: Applying for a Child Care Center License
Run a program in Hawaii? Bloomily handles enrollment, billing, check-in and family messages. See how it works
Plan your program
- How to start a home daycare in Hawaii
The kinds of home daycare the state allows, and the steps.
- Hawaii licensing guide
Ratios, trainings and the checklist the state asks for.
- Child care grants in Hawaii
Grants the state runs for providers.
- Daycare startup costs in Hawaii
Revenue, staff pay and rent from your own numbers.
- Daycare business plan
How to write a plan for funding and licensing.
- Tuition calculator
Typical rates by state and age group.
- Ratio calculator
Staff needed for each age group, by state.
Questions, answered
How do I start a daycare in Hawaii?
The first step: Read the rules for your license. All 8 steps are on this page, each with the state's own link.
Who licenses child care centers in Hawaii?
Hawaii Department of Human Services (DHS), Child Care Licensing Program. Licenses child care centers and group child care homes. It registers family child care homes.
About this page
Steps checked on the state's own pages, November 4, 2026.
This page is a summary of the state's own pages. It is not legal advice, and rules change.
Questions about childcare in Hawaii?
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