Kama Aina Kids Hawaiikai. We appreciate the small class size, structure, and individualized…read moreattention. Updates and pictures via their app. Meals provided, teachers are caring, compassionate, and communicative. Their days are long and very few days off.

Long-overdue, Kamaaina Kids Hawaii Kai deserves a 5-star review. Especially considering our…read moreexperience here began with several issues, our current relationship with the daycare is a testament to how Kamaaina Kids operates, including their ability to rectify issues and the loving hands supporting an exceptional program. Our daughter originally started daycare at the King St. location. Our Ohana had nothing but good things to say about this location (you can see my review on King St.) We were so reluctant to leave behind the people and place that represented a huge milestone not just for our daughter but our entire family. We were certain that we would never find another Miss Winnie, who made that special time a cherished memory and whom we will always attribute our daughter's first challenges of overcoming fear, trusting other caregivers, learning from her peers and developing courage to try new things. With hesitation, we transitioned her to Hawaii Kai-- closer to our residence-- believing we left a good thing behind but optimistic about our daughter's daycare future. On our very first day, I will never forget, I was greeted with such warmth and punctuality by Miss Lahela (she is a gem). In expectation, she said, "Hi, this must be ---, welcome." She lead me into the toddler area and was ready to embrace the understandable crying, squirming and fear about to set-in from our daughter (and her mom). But just by my first interaction with Miss Lahela, I walked away relieved that she was in good, loving hands. While Miss Lahela set the precedence for what we believed to be the right decision for our daughter (unfortunately, Miss Lahela at the time was not our daughter's main daycare leader), as time passed, issues started arising including concerns about communication, health and safety, and the quality of care she was receiving. Though we never experienced any issues at King St., we were disappointed and disgruntled, quite frankly, sad, that these preventable issues were occurring under the same program. We were very patient and understanding that the change would take some time and issues are apart of life. However, when one concern started to become a weekly occurrence, I felt that something was not right. When I brought these issues to the attention of the staff, the lack of response made us feel like these issues were not taken seriously and they did not care at all, furthering my dismay and inquiry to the inconsistencies in location under the same program standard and procedures. Feeling hopeless, that we had made the wrong decision to transition her from King St., considering the possibility of other daycare options, we were very blessed to receive assistance from the Kamaaina Kids Executive Assistant Shirena, coincidently, former Hawaii Kai and King St. Director. Shirena was our very first point of contact for the King St. location and Kamaaina Kids in-general. Her professionalism and kindness attributed to our decision to send our daughter to Kamaaina Kids and ironically, our decision to stay. Long-story short, Shirena acknowledged each of our concerns and made us feel heard, seen and understood. Not just talk, the sincerity of her apology was followed by actions and commitment to her promise that "these issues are not only taken seriously but would be addressed and rectified with the upmost concern." Needless to say, this five-star review is deserving not because everything has always been rainbows and butterflies but because our experience encountered bumps in the road that were eventually smoothed over, not covered or ignored. Our concerns were addressed, evident by the changes that were made. We are thankful for the help we received from Shirena and current Hawaii Kai Director, Miss Finau; and our daughter's teachers are a daily reminder that we made the right decision to keep her at Hawaii Kai Kamaaina Kids. Loving, gracious and patient, her teachers inspire me to be a better mom. At 21-months-old, our daughter knows her teachers by name, asks for them at home, is excited to go to school; warmly greeted every morning by Miss Jenna and Miss Lahela with a big "hello, good morning!" When I see her smile and run to hug her teachers, what feeling is better than that as a parent? I too leave feeling taken care of, cared about and confident I'm making the best decision for my daughter. And while no one can replace Miss Winnie, Miss Lahela is another outstanding teacher unique to the Hawaii Kai location, who will make our daughter's next big transition and milestone, to preschool, one that will be another bittersweet ending and beginning to a new chapter in her childhood.

Love this gem of a school!…read more My child is now finishing our second year of school at Honolulu Waldorf School, and will be starting 2nd grade next year. It was very important for our family to attend a progressive school, and in this case "developmentally progressive" in terms of educating the whole child. Our child is very active and talkative, and we didn't want to go the traditional route of public school - especially when on our first tour of a public school they pointed out a "wiggle chair" in a corner that kids would go sit in if they couldn't sit still for long periods of time, and that particular teacher indicating our child might not do well there. For kindergarten, and where our child was developmentally - this was not going to work and we could visualize a year of phone calls about inability to sit still. In Waldorf education (and many other countries) children don't start classroom lessons at desks until they are in 1st grade and 6-7 rather than 5-6. And for us, that felt like the right fit. The teacher we had in kindergarten in the early childhood program (EC) was phenomenal, and I loved that the kindergarteners are in a mixed age class ranging from age 3-6 with various stages of development acknowledged (star children age 3-4, moon children age 4-5, and sun children aka kindergarteners age 5-6). When my child was a "sun child" they were the oldest in the class and became leaders in many opportunities. They have a very structured day which leads to a lot of centeredness and calmness as they move through play time, reading circle, snack time (provided by school and quite nutritious!), arts, more play time, nap time, music - lots of singing - and each activity meeting the child where they are and building on that. My child was very resistant to arts at the start of kindergarten, and by the end was weaving, sewing (!), painting, and drawing. Being restless was not an issue throughout the year, and going without a nap during nap time was also something that could be worked around. After finishing kindergarten, the children move into 1st grade with a beautiful crossing of a symbolic bridge leaving the grounds of the early childhood area and entering the grounds of the grades area / classrooms. In 1st grade, a the class size was 16 children which was a great size for us, and subjects of reading/writing, math, Spanish, Japanese, Hawaiian studies, handwork, movement, music are covered throughout the week. If a child needs more attention in an area, they are quick to spot it and suggest additional support of needed. Our teacher was incredible at holding the class, and attentive to all of each child's progress and needs. What's also amazing is that the same teacher continues into 2nd, 3rd and beyond as is part of the Waldorf pedagogy. Sometimes life changes happen (pregnancy / moving etc), but at this school the same teacher can be expected to continue on for many grades, building a beautiful bond between teacher and student. Also for the community; the school fosters a great sense of community with a strong Parent Hui group (parent volunteers) that work to make each of the many Waldorf traditions come alive. The school participates in Waldorf events of Michaelmas, Saint Nicholas Day, the Winter Spiral, Lantern Walk, and also brings in via its Spanish program a celebration of Dia del los Muertos, Salsa Night, and through its Japanese program Girls Day, Children's Day, Hawaiian - La Mei (May Day) and more. When thinking about all of the events throughout the year it's a magical, welcoming and educational experience for the children and families alike. Not knowing a lot about Waldorf education at the start of our attendance, I have gained a whole new perspective on childhood development as this school also educates parents on how children learn. The reading and literacy is on a different timeline than public school for valid developmental reasons and by 3/4th grade many students are avid readers reading and comprehending books well above their public school peers. Overall, I believe the children become excellent learners through and can tackle any topic with the curiosity and enthusiasm for learning. Last, the school is screen free up to a grade (6th?) This is a huge incentive for our family, as we do not want our child to be exposed to screens more than necessary - as we learn how it is negatively affecting brain development in young children. Eventually, the concept of appropriate screen use is introduced in Cyber Civics classes in middle school - as it is unrealistic for screens to be completely avoided in life, and an awesome opportunity to teach children about how to have an online presence, be responsible and respectful online, and to have personal boundaries around its use with social media, and length of time. Big fan of the school, the caring teachers and admin, and the awesome and strong parent community that goes above and beyond to be involved in their children's learning and environment.

Our experience with Honolulu Waldorf was extremely disappointing and felt unprofessional from start…read moreto finish. We applied for a preschool spot after being told there were openings, only to later learn that there were no available spots at all. The application process was expensive -- especially considering the admissions fee -- yet nothing meaningful happened after we submitted everything. There was also a very strange "visit day" where our child was invited along with a group of babies who were not even old enough to be admitted. It was clear many of those parents were simply trying to get on a waitlist, and the entire event felt disorganized and like a complete waste of time. We were never given any information about next steps, timelines, or what to expect. We had to follow up multiple times just to get basic updates, and only then were we told that we were not being offered a spot. When we asked about the possibility of a waitlist, our inquiry was essentially ignored. To make matters worse, the school recently experienced a cyberattack, which only reinforced our impression that the overall operations and communication practices are not being handled professionally. On a positive note, we have since found a wonderful Montessori‑inspired school that has been everything we hoped for -- warm, organized, communicative, and genuinely invested in the children. The contrast has been night and day, and we are very happy with where we ended up. Based on our experience, I would strongly recommend that families proceed with caution and ask very clear questions before investing time and money into the application process.

We have been so grateful to find Kinder Kids International after our unexpected move to Hawaii. The…read moreschool is small, clean and beautiful. The director, Ms. Mandy always makes herself available and knows every parent and child personally. Our teacher, Ms. Dawn has built such a great connection with my daughter, and knows how to redirect her in a fun and loving way. My daughter comes home with such amazing crafts, singing new songs and learning all her shapes, colors, numbers and letters. The curriculum is learning based, and not play based, which I think is great for her personality which minimizes the usual behavioral issues when there's no structure. They do yoga, sensory activities, nature walks, gym playtime, circle time, crafts, music, potty breaks, lunch, nap time and more. They use an online app to keep you informed on their day with pictures of them playing. It updates throughout the day with the amount they ate at lunch, potty breaks taken, etc. They even have a special day when you can come and see your child at school without them knowing and see how well they behave when you're not around! :) The value that Kinder Kids provides is amazing. I am very pleased to have my daughter be a part of this amazing school that is growing to be a big part of her formative years.

Kinder Kids was a "diamond-in-the-rough" find for us while searching for a Honolulu preschool for…read moreour daughter. The school is nestled in the peaceful mountains of Hawaii Kai, surrounded by beautiful trees and nature. We went on 8 preschool tours, and Kinder Kids was impeccably clean, new, spacious, and has the most adorable decor that is perfectly suited for toddlers. The director is not only experienced and organized, but knows each student and parent by more than just name- she provides excellent communication with us and we feel completely confident that she has each child's best interest at heart. Through the HiMama App that they utilize, I was able to see everything that my daughter's day encompasses, like a description of the daily schedule/activities, photos of my daughter during circle time, art, gym, yoga, reading/writing practice, lunch time, and even when she used the potty! It's extremely special to actually get to see your child creating an art project that they bring home with them at the end of the day. As a first time parent it would be so hard for me not to see what she was doing throughout the day, but with HiMama I felt tike I was with her the whole time, and the updates gave me constant reassurance. She was all smiles on her first day of school when in the past she'd cry. The Kinder Kids teachers are incredibly loving, friendly and just take such good care of her- she is always clean when I pick her up, and they encourage her to be independent, but at the same time, give assistance and attention to things she struggles with. It warms my heart that they don't force her to be a big girl, but help her grow into one.

KCAA Kuapa Preschools in Hawaii Kai is a valuable resource we have in our community to help prepare…read morechildren for their entry into Kindergarten and elementary school. The learning environment that has been created by head of school, Christy Burke, Office Administrator Michelle Matsumoto, and incredible staff (current and past) help to create an interactive and fun learning environment. The diversity of students and staff create opportunities for well-rounded and balanced curriculums. Teaching inclusion, recognizing differences, and accepting changes are all tools for our children to become contributing member of society as they grow older. We have had the opportunity to have classmates from here locally, the mainland, and also internationally. The staff here share their talents by working cohesively as a team to support the growth of our keiki during their time at KCAA Kuapa. We continue to keep in touch with many of our children's classmates and parents from this school, which really goes to show that the experience of attending preschool here at KCAA Kuapa laid the foundation for meaningful friendships both for kids and adults. We highly recommend considering KCCA Kuapa for your child's early learning needs, and we are happy and proud to say we are part of the extended Kuapa 'ohana.

This is the best school and 2's program on island [for reference my daughter attended two (very…read moreexpensive) infant programs & I've probably toured at least 7 other schools]. My daughter is in heaven attending here. Everyone is incredibly friendly, warm, and open. The 2's teachers are a dream come true, like Ms. Honey from Matilda combined with Mary Poppins. Truly, Ms. Rae & Ms. Gwen were just born to be teachers. The curriculum is accredited, and includes a great balance of structured teacher led activities and free choice/independent play. The art, lesson plans, activities, journals, everything, regularly blow me away! They also have reasonable tuition rates, limited school closures (compared to most other private preschools), they serve breakfast in addition to lunch & snacks, have a beautiful spacious shaded playground (photos online are outdated, it has since been extensively remodeled), outside enrichment activities (hula, soccer shots, swim), an extremely convenient location for HK locals with easy & safe parking, and most importantly this school is just filled with warmth & love. Every interaction & engagement with this school has been so positive and friendly, from the day I was applying to the waitlist, to the private tour, and every day I walk in with my daughter (Michelle & Christy, shout out to you!). Highly recommend touring to see for yourself! :)

The school itself is great. Very supportive staff and faculty overall and my children have really…read moreenjoyed attending Aina Haina School up until this year 2022-2023. I give 1 star because of a particular 5th grade teacher that has decided to target our son. From making absurd rules about taking shoes off in her classroom and banning jackets, forcing students to stay after school hours without prior notice, and incessant yelling and nagging, she's made the last year of Aina Haina for my son to be psychologically and emotionally damaging. My son who's never had issues in his prior years at Aina Haina hated going to school because of her. If you email her asking why she said or did something, she will never admit anything is wrong and brush it off with "there's been another misunderstanding....moving forward, I would like to focus on his education..." Worst 5th grade teacher. I hope she retires this year so no other child experiences what my son experienced.

An update to my previous review. This is not about the school but about my son's EXCELLENT 5th…read moregrade teacher Mr. Sutton. The school was smart in hiring him. He really teaches in a way that EVERY child learns... so much so that now my son who was pegged by other teachers as "slow" and having a"poor attention span" is getting nearly straight A's and excelling in every aspect. Funny how one good teacher, one who loves their job and puts the child's interest first, can change a child's outlook and performance in school for the better. Thank you Mr. Sutton.

We loved our Happy Keiki experience! Our kiddo was there for about 9 months and we didn't want to…read moreleave but it was time (age-wise) to move on. It's a simple space with no frills, but the teachers (especially the lead, Miss Noelle) are so caring and kind. She truly loves the kids. My son was so excited to go to school every day and learned quite a bit in terms of colors, numbers, etc. We were so sad to leave Happy Keiki and would recommend it for sure.

Happy Keiki Preschool, University location, is a health and safety hazard for children…read more 1) Staff member was seen shoving food into an infant's mouth while said child was in the high chair and appeared to have a mouthful of food already. 2) Different staff member was seen leaving a child unstrapped on changing table to get something. If the child rolled off onto the tile floor, a serious head injury could be sustained. 3) A toddler boy was seen walking around the main play area without any diaper. No staff member attempted to fix this situation. 4) Bugs were seen crawling around the sink area where children's dishes are supposedly washed. 5) No lights were on in 80% of Happy Keiki preschool and at least one child was seen wandering this dark area. Here are some random observations/thoughts. As soon as I saw #1 happening, the director hurried through what she was saying and got us out the door within five minutes. We were not shown the playground. Upon leaving Happy Keiki preschool, I saw that the playground was asphalt covered with artificial grass. I didn't see any real grass. Then again, I wasn't shown the playground. Director said that a focus of the preschool is teaching children how to properly play with toys. Isn't that what parent-child time at home is for? I have attached a picture of the enrollment application, which was printed on the back of Hawaii Prince Hotel letterhead. Not sure where the hefty $50 application fee is going. Happy Keiki preschool is not NAEYC accredited. Please think twice before enrolling your child in this preschool/daycare.

We've had such a great experience with this school. It's always clean, organized, and the teachers…read moreare so caring and nurturing. We also love their new part time curriculum ( 3 days a week), which had been a great fit for our family. Unlike previous school, they actually follow through on everything they share in their newsletters. They even have a child sized toilet in the classroom, which has made potty training so much easier. We're so happy we made the switch!

This preschool is run well and the outdoor areas are very well equipped. The location is easy to…read morefind, and they have some parking. The teachers are kind and caring toward the children.

Our 5 yr old daughter learned more in a half year at Chaminade University Montessori Lab School…read morethan she has in her previous 4.5 years of life! OK, I may be exaggerating a bit, but I really wanted to sing the praises of the incredible staff at CUMLS. My daughter comes home and asks when she can go to school next. She's constantly amazing us with her vocabulary. She actually taught me the definition of an archipelligo. Maybe she can teach me how to spell it too? What's truly important too is that this year's current crew of teachers are so loving to our kids. I can feel how much they care for the kids as if they are all Ohana. They grow herbs in their garden and my daughter brings home kalo chips, hummus, and other wonderful things that were from the things grown on campus. Extra Kudos to Kristie Sakai who provided a safe space for our keiki and gave us the flexibility to stay distanced during Covid and welcoming us when we were ready to go back to in-person learning. The logistics and coordination are not taken for granted. I'm especially emotional about this fine school since this is our daughter's last day and she'll be moving on to a different school. Our many, many thanks to Ms. Claire, Ms. Megan, Ms. Veronica, and Ms. Kristie for their love and care of our most valued treasures. We will miss CUMLS!

Our third son just finished his last year of preschool at Chaminade University Montessori Lab…read moreSchool and our fourth son is going to be starting this upcoming school year for 2019. All four of our sons will have attended preschool here - which shows clearly how much we have appreciated everything about the school, including the teachers, the program, the campus, the fun night events where parents are invited to visit the school and see students' projects, the security, the shaded and safe playground, convenient school hours, ample parking, and the beautiful view from the classroom and school grounds. The classroom is well organized, clean, and full of amazing educational materials. As other reviewers have noted, the curriculum is Montessori, so no complaints there. We think methods used to teach learning and skills to the young children really works and it's easy to see the progress each month. Some of the other specific things I really liked about the curriculum and how this school instructs the children, is the teaching of practical skills and shared responsibilities like cleaning up and preparing food together, or taking care of the younger children in the classroom. During this past year, our third son looked after a couple of younger children and in turn, was befriend by an older boy that took him under his wing. He couldn't wait to go to school each day! Other things my wife and I appreciated about the school, included all the educational field trips to a variety of places around the island, including historical sites, organic farms, and holiday events. While the teachers and the head staff have changed since we enrolled our oldest son five years ago, the ratio of teachers to students has always been high. We have also liked all the teachers and thought they were caring and attentive and did a great job of communicating about our sons and their progress, including providing us with photos of them learning and doing projects at school. At the end of each year, the students work hard to put on a graduation show that includes music and singing, and a potluck lunch. It's always been a little sad to leave at the end of the school year, which means I highly recommend Chaminade University Montessori Lab School!