How to start a home daycare in Hawaii.

Hawaii Department of Human Services (DHS) oversees home daycares in Hawaii. These are the kinds it allows and the steps, each with the state's own page.

Steps checked on the state's own pages, November 4, 2026.

The kinds of home daycare Hawaii allows

  • Family child care home

    3 to 6 children who are not related to you, at one time

    Care happens in a private home, apartment, unit or townhouse.

    Source: Child Care Regulations

  • Group child care home

    7 to 12 children

    It may be an extended or modified private home.

    Source: Child Care Regulations

Starting a home daycare in Hawaii, step by step

  1. Ask your landlord, association and insurer

    Check with your landlord, town association and insurance company that you may run child care at home.

    Source: Applying for a Family Child Care Home Registration

  2. Meet county zoning and building codes

    Your home must meet your county's zoning and building codes. For example, it may have only one full kitchen.

    Source: Applying for a Family Child Care Home Registration

  3. Fill out the application

    Sign the DHS 982 application and the DHS 983 supplement.

    Source: Applying for a Family Child Care Home Registration

  4. Get physicals and TB clearances

    Everyone in your household needs a physical exam and a TB clearance.

    Source: Applying for a Family Child Care Home Registration

  5. Get two reference letters

    Send two letters of reference.

    Source: Applying for a Family Child Care Home Registration

  6. Clear background checks

    Complete a child abuse and neglect check and a criminal history check.

    Source: Applying for a Family Child Care Home Registration

  7. Pass the home visit

    A licensing worker inspects your whole home and goes over the rules with you.

    Source: Applying for a Family Child Care Home Registration

  8. Get your certificate of registration

    Once you meet every rule, DHS issues your certificate of registration.

    Source: Applying for a Family Child Care Home Registration

At a glance

Who oversees home daycares
Hawaii Department of Human Services (DHS), Child Care Licensing Program. Registers family child care homes and licenses group child care homes.Source: Child Care Licensing
Children under 18 months
No more than 2, or up to 4 with another adult helpingSource: Hawaii Administrative Rules Title 17, Chapter 891.2: Registration of Family Child Care Homes
Your own children
Those 6 or older do not count toward the 6Source: Hawaii Administrative Rules Title 17, Chapter 891.2: Registration of Family Child Care Homes
Registration length
One year at first, then two years after four years registeredSource: Hawaii Administrative Rules Title 17, Chapter 891.2: Registration of Family Child Care Homes
First aid
An adult with a current pediatric first aid certificate is there whenever children areSource: Hawaii Administrative Rules Title 17, Chapter 891.2: Registration of Family Child Care Homes

Good to know

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Questions, answered

How do I start a home daycare in Hawaii?

The first step: Ask your landlord, association and insurer. All 8 steps are on this page, each with the state's own link.

Who oversees home daycares in Hawaii?

Hawaii Department of Human Services (DHS), Child Care Licensing Program. Registers family child care homes and licenses group child care homes.

How many children can a home daycare in Hawaii care for?

Family child care home: 3 to 6 children who are not related to you, at one time. Group child care home: 7 to 12 children.

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.

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