“Even before my daughter was born, I struggled to find childcare for her. I searched months before she was born. Once she was born, I placed her on two waiting lists—one was three months long, and the other one year. The whole situation was stressful because my six weeks of maternity leave was running out. Luckily my employer allowed me to work part-time until I secured childcare. I relied on my network of family and friends to find a babysitter.”
– a Parent

“Our pay rate is not a living wage.”
– Center director

“Fifty hours of direct childcare plus 10–15 hours of curriculum and food prep, cleaning, shopping, and paperwork is too much with a family of my own to care for. Employment and tax laws make it too difficult to hire an employee, and if I did, parents can’t afford a tuition increase to cover this cost. I already make far less than minimum wage.”
– Family Child Care provider

“FCIL [Family-child interaction learning programs] is a kindergarten readiness strategy, but also a family strengthening program. Some families feel that learning starts in kindergarten, but come to realize the value of early childhood education. Our program also gives families a safe place to come to and meet others, and to learn about and feel confident accessing the resources available in the community.”
– FCIL director

“Hawai’i Early Learning Needs Assessment: 2017 Summary Report,” and “Hawai’i Early Learning Needs Assessment,” Honolulu: University of Hawai‘i Center on the Family, 2017.