This USED to be a great school! Back in 2022 under Director Syreeta. My kids were only 2 and 3 y/o…read moreat the time and we were so happy we got to enroll both our boys at the same time. From entering the school to taking our boys to their class it was all smiles and good morning always filled with aloha. We knew our kids were not only being taken care of but loved. Every single staff would know/call our boys by their name. The director was always approachable, addressed us by our names and was always present in my kid's life until last December 2025 when while on our vacation we heard she was no longer there. To our surprise the entire front staff was gone. Keypads were installed, no colorful office , no aloha, no smiles ... felt like going to a business building ? Cold, quiet ... sad. Luckily my oldest left last year but my young is still a student there. Needless to say from January 2026 it's been terrible. Director Monica haven't emailed us back since January , horrible communication, changes in tuition and overcharges ... I wish I could've pulled my kid back in January ... so if you haven't : DO NOT ENROLL YOUR CHILD AT COLE ACADEMY!!! I heard seagull in Ko'olina is accepting new students 12 months and older ! Find a place that your child will be treated with love and you as a parent with aloha and respect. I'm writing as a parent but let me tell the stories I heard from teachers make it even worse . Loyal and caring teachers that left because they can't deal with management anymore. Feel free to reach out if you need more info!

Overall, the quality of care was okay, but for the amount we paid in tuition, I expected much more…read more My biggest concern was the administration, particularly with Monica, the lack of clear communication. The billing was confusing. Although we were on a monthly payment plan, the amount due changed from month to month because it was based on the number of school days. I asked for clarification but never received a clear explanation. There were also changes to tuition-related charges that we weren't notified about, which made the billing even more confusing. If you're considering Cole Academy, I'd encourage you to ask detailed questions about their billing and withdrawal policies and make sure you receive important information in writing. In my experience, it took several weeks to receive a response or get clarification regarding billing. I had a bad experience with billing and withdrawal because I didn't get a timely response when I reached out to Monica.

I was looking for a preschool that wasn't a daycare. All the preschools I found are just that,…read moredaycare with education. I don't need my child to eat snacks, play at recess, or nap on my dime. Being a stay at home mom, I can take care of this stuff. What I need is a professional preschool teacher who knows how to hold my child's attention enough to teach her something. I can teach my daughter too, but after a few minutes she goofs off and just doesn't take me too seriously. I found the perfect solution! At Planet Preschool, Tamara Jenkins, who's been a preschool teacher for 15 years. You might better know her as the "Kindergarten Coach." As of almost a year, she decided to open up her own preschool in her own home. She transformed her lower floor of her Kapolei home into a full fledged preschool. Her methods are to learn through play. Children will do art, play, sing with a specific curriculum in mind, so kids don't realize their learning because they're essentially playing. Genius idea! Mrs. Jenkins believes each child is different and thus learns at a different pace so she guides her teaching specific to each child's pace. If one child already knows her ABC's, then there's no need to waste a ton of time on it, so she'll move on to reading for that particular child. Her goal is to prepare your child for kindergarten but won't stop there. If your child wants to read or beyond, Mrs. Jenkins will take your child as far as your child wants to go. Currently she's got about 5 students in each class, so there's plenty of one on one time for each child. Each class will have a maximum of 10 students. You have a choice of either Tues and Thurs classes, Mon, Wed, and Fri classes, or daily classes. All classes start at 9am or 12:30pm. She's thinking about starting an afternoon class. I believe she's also starting a Kinderjam, a mommy and me class that incorporates "fun, exciting, and high-energy Music and Movement program that emphasizes the kinesthetic and tactile learning of pre-academic skills and concepts while promoting positive parent engagement." I was so desperate to find a preschool program that's not a daycare and not a parent participation preschool that was affordable. I feel so fortunate that I've finally found it! School tuition is about to increase a bit unless you enroll by May. Still affordable, but every bit of savings count. Because she's holding classes at her own home, that's why she can afford to offer classes such a low tuition rate. She's licensed so there's no need to worry. She doesn't have the fancy computers or traditional workbooks of typical preschool, but she makes it work. Check it out!

I was looking for a good preschool that didn't cost and arm and a leg. This is it the teachers are…read moregreat and my son has already learned so much. He is always eager and excited to go to school every time. Ms. Tamara and her helper Ms. Dorene are so friendly and fun. This school is very organized, she has activity screens and all kinds of educational things for children to use. I highly recommend this place for your child. Great fun learning environment!

I just want to thank the staff of Kama'aina Kids in Kalaeloa for all they do. They go under…read moreappreciated for the service they provide and sometimes it's hard to find a trustworthy and reputable day care facility that's worth bringing your babies to. As a full time active duty military personnel, I'm glad Kama'aina Kids supports the military community and our children because it's hard not being able to raise our babies ourselves but they will do it and do it to the best of their ability. Although many of the previous reviews are not very positive, I've found this day care to be a great place to take my child to. She has been going to this daycare for a little over a year now and she's about to turn 2 years old in a few months. She was still in her infant stage when she first came to Kama'aina Kids, and they have watched her sprout into the strong, independent and outgoing baby girl she is today with me. I could not have done this without them. She went from rolling to crawling to stumbling until she could walk and run. Her coos and cries have become hand signs, words, basic sentences and even singing. They teach her almost all the things she knows, and I couldn't be more proud and grateful for the effort her teachers put into her. I love how she's soo friendly with others and can be more sociable than myself sometimes, haha! She enjoys the company of other kids as well as adults, has a big heart and an even bigger personality and she gets a lot of that from her day care. She is with them every day, Monday to Friday for over 9hrs daily so they pretty much are her 2nd family at this point. Her teachers love her and every adult staff member that passes her in the hallway knows her name. They really know how to make this mama smile knowing she's in good hands the moment I drop her off and leave the building. The facility itself is clean and bright. When you walk in, you'll find the front desk, check in kiosk, bulletin board with announcements and important notices. There's a table to the right that has the monthly breakfast and lunch menus, applications and other family support source documents. The hallway has all the classrooms and they're each separated by age groups with a minimum of 3 teachers per class. The walls of the hallway are decorated with artwork created by all the children, and it changes every month with the seasons, holidays and special events throughout the year. The best part is you get to take it all home when they put up new artwork and start a collection of all your child's mater pieces. I have yet to organize them all into a binder! As our children learn and grow, there will be accidents and she has had a few while in the care of Kama'aina Kids but I understand. Yes, I have been upset about it the first few times but the teachers really try their best to watch and care for all the kids assigned to them. She does come home with a written report at the end of the day and they notify us via phone call or on the app when the accidents happen. You also can't control what other children will do but I'm sure they do what they can so it doesn't happen again. I'm just glad she comes home safe everyday. The little bumps and bruises here and there are minor and my baby girl is trooper for sure! She'll cry for a moment and go right back to playing like nothing happened. All and all, I would choose Kama'aina Kids, Kalaeloa again and again. They are close to home which makes drop off and pick up convenient. The teachers are all great and I haven't experienced any negative interactions with them at all. The facility is clean, organized, AC'd and has fenced in playgrounds to keep your babies safe and busy. They provide daily meals so the kids have plenty to eat, have activity schedules to keep your babies learning and host special events so that parents stay involved with the school. They are not just a daycare but place to help your child grow physically, mentally and emotionally. I'm happy I chose Kama'aina Kids and I hope many others make the same choice I did so they can experience what a great place this can be for parents and all of our babies! I highly recommend any parent considering to take their child here to make the jump and that chance. You'll be thankful that you did! Thank you again Kama'aina Kids, Kalaeloa! Especially to my baby's teachers Ms. Coreen, Ms. Jade, Ms. Sheriece and Mr. Izea!

Our son has attended daycare here for about a year and a half. The staff is professional, engaged,…read moreand love what they do. They always have fun activities and focus on both learning and play, which has been invaluable for our toddler. The play areas and classrooms are clean and they have a TON of fun activities. They use the Procare app to communicate with parents throughout the day, and they send photos of my keiki's play and activities at least once a week, which we always love to see. Food is included in the price (they have menus for parents to see what is being served each day) and meals are well-balanced. They also help with potty training and other important milestones. My two year old has learned to count, colors, how to pretend play, animals, shapes... And tons more. We started off at a home-based daycare when our little was 4 months old to save money since we knew the provider, but when she moved, we spent a lot of time looking at options. Daycare in general is expensive and Kamaaina Kids isn't the cheapest option, but they are so awesome for our family that it's worth the cost. I did see a lot of negative reviews from others here, but I am so glad I gave them a chance because people are far less likely to leave a review about a positive experience. Our family loves it, and we highly recommend.

ARA does a great job of preparing and developing talented young students for college and the…read moreperforming arts. The classroom ratio is ideal and the academy feels like an extended family. What you may miss from a large school/student body is made up for in program quality and personal interactions. Enough cannot be said about the student performances, staff and swim team. With time I only hope the developing campus presents a more polished and 'clean' appearance to reflect all of the great things happening inside the classrooms and studios.

We love this school! We now have three children attending ARA in 1st, 2nd and 3rd grade. Our…read moreyoungest started four years ago and what a difference a great school makes! We were attracted to this school for these reasons: *100% of the high school graduates received scholarships to colleges. Mostly for academics and swim. *Smaller classroom sizes - to give each child the attention they may need *Longer school hours - we're both working parents and don't need to deal with the stress of after school care * No homework- this is what the longer school days are for and because quality family time is so important after a long day at school/work *Performing arts - starts from kindergarten to work on their confidence, self esteem and public speaking skills *Dedicated and passionate teachers and staff- positive teachers makes for positive early imprinting *Amazing swim program and it just goes on and on! All three of our children are thriving academically and socially. They are all very active on the competitive swim team, hula, ballet, martial arts and voice lessons, all offered at school! I grew up attending a school with about 25-30 students in a classroom so I know what it's like, and I didn't like it. The smaller class sizes is the perfect fit for what we're looking for. A more customizable education tailored for each child's potential. Seeing how much talent has been produced from this small school makes me hold ARA up on a pedestal. We want to give our kids the best opportunity and ARA offers all we can ask for. If you are considering this school for your child, I recommend giving them a call. We're so happy we did!

This school deserves all the 5 stars! When we first moved to Hawaii I was very overwhelmed and…read moreconfused where I should send my nearly 3 year old to school. I went to so many schools overthinking each and every decision about where we should register her. And the waitlists are the worst in Hawaii because you don't have a firm answer - you just wait - wondering when a spot will come up and if they will call. Seagull School Ko'Olina was not our first decision I will admit, but only because of where it is located. I am so glad they called us! It is a hidden gem well worth the drive. We have had the other schools call and we have no intentions of moving her. The teachers, the school, the front office, everything continue to impress me. My daughter gets the very most out of the school. The book fairs, the teachers (not just her own - they all know her name!), extra programs like soccer, the play, the curriculum, and the friends - it is a wonderful balance. She has learned so many things thanks to the teachers. Moving to Hawaii was hard - I worried about my daughter adjusting to new things and places, but she is so happy at Seagull Ko'Olina and has learned so much. If you are on Yelp trying to make a decision about preschools and which one is the "best," pick Seagull KoOlina - you will be happy you did.

I have been sending my daughter here for the past year and a half for part-time schooling. The…read moreschool is located within Ko'olina resort and is somewhat secluded from any harm. The only downside is that I experienced some traffic twice (while on my way to pick up my daughter) getting to Koolina from Kapolei due to an accident on the way to Waianae. The school was understanding and did not charge me for picking her up late that one time. Kudos!

I have no words to describe what this school has meant for our little ohana. Our child attended…read morefor two years and was provided with exceptional care and compassion, patience, and everything you could ask for in a preschool. Every teacher there felt like they were born to be a pre-school teacher! We feel incredibly grateful to have found Ewa Plains Enrichment in Ewa Beach for our son. From the very beginning, it felt personal. We were not just enrolling in a school but becoming part of a warm, loving community that felt like family. Miss Jessica and the entire team of teachers are everything you would hope for in a preschool. They are warm, kind, intelligent, and fully engaged with the children. Their sincerity and care were evident every single day. It was almost tangible how much they truly loved each child, including ours. The mission of Ewa Plains Enrichment feels centered in love. Every lesson, classroom moment, and interaction reflects that. Our son not only learned how to read here, but something lit up inside him. It was as if a light switched on, and now he reads his own bedtime stories with joy and confidence. This milestone was nurtured by the school's incredible literacy program and the encouragement of his teachers. The school's focus on literacy is truly outstanding. The dedication and joy the teachers bring to reading is something our family will never forget. We also deeply appreciated the school's commitment to Hawaiian culture. Field trips to the lo'i, the pumpkin patch, and the library helped connect learning to the land and the community. Through songs, stories, and hands-on experiences, the children developed a strong sense of place and respect. As a Buddhist family, we always felt completely welcomed and respected at this Christian school. The values of kindness, compassion, gratitude, and responsibility were shared in a loving and inclusive way that felt deeply aligned with our home life. Our son also had the opportunity to share his own heritage during Culture Week and to learn about the cultures of his classmates. Seeing his identity honored and celebrated was incredibly meaningful and helped him feel proud and connected. The school created beautiful memories throughout the year, from Christmas and Easter performances to a heartfelt Mother's Day celebration. Preschool graduation was one of the best graduation events I have ever attended. It was thoughtful, joyful, and full of love. You could see how much the staff cared about each and every child. During a year when our family needed to take extended international trips, the school was flexible, understanding, and supportive. They even prepared homework packets for our son to bring with him, so he could stay connected and continue learning while we traveled. That level of care and thoughtfulness meant so much to us. Ewa Plains Enrichment has been around for many years, and that experience shows in the most beautiful ways. The staff have worked with so many different types of children and family situations, and their understanding, flexibility, and wisdom come through in how they support each student. You can tell they have truly seen it all and are prepared to meet each child where they are, with love and confidence. Ewa Plains Enrichment consistently goes above and beyond what is expected. They are always thinking about the children and their future. This is not just a school. It is a place where children are truly seen, nurtured, and loved. We will be forever grateful to this school, which is a true gift to the community and island!

Our family is so fortunate and blessed to have found this school! We desired a school that was not…read morejust a "daycare" but one that would challenge our son and continue to foster his growth intellectually as well as be faith based. Our child has excelled and fluorished not only in academics but also socially and spiritually. His growth here has been astounding. The staff here are amazing and were able to create a lesson plan and curriculum based on his needs. They address all aspects of a child's development and offer different activities and experiences for them. He went through three different neighboring preschools before we found this one and we wished we had found it sooner.

This is geniunely the worst possible school you could send your kids to (especially if they are a…read morepoc/non hawaiian or white). The amount of racial trauma I had endured at this establishment was insane. They unfairly single out students of color, would try to get them in trouble for things other students would do, scream and curse at them, share your personal information to staff in front of the students, and then act like nothing happened. A lady (who was not even a teacher & would wear color contacts) would try to recruit other staff to slutshame me, would only try to get me in trouble even if other students would wear the same thing, and even made comments about what i was wearing when i wasnt even at school. This school is very biased towards certain students, at one point a student was able to complete all their classes virtually while everyone else had to go in person because their parents gave them extra money, but god forbid your midriff accidentally shows. When racism and unfairness were brought to the schools attention they did nothing. Instead they screamed at me until I cried and the lady defended it by saying she has friends who are of color so she cant be racist. At one point at the school a teacher would constantly talk about x related things and drugs but was later removed. Another teacher ended up dating one of their students shortly after they graduated but the school invited them back as a dj for a school event.... Ive been holding this in for awhile but this school was one of the worst decisions I ever made. Please just go somewhere else and I hope they replace the staff or atleast get a cafeteria or gym.

This private school is all smoke in mirrors. The buildings are not cared for- there are broken…read moreblinds, uneven floors and buildings in disrepair that make it look unkempt. Teachers and principals turnover fast because of the very toxic environment and culture. The bullies stay and continue their reign of terror, and the great teachers and leaders have to leave. Teachers talk badly about students and parents in front of other students and parents. There is no transparency of where the tuition money is going. The tuition is very high and there are no repairs done at the school and they can't keep good teachers. What is the problem??? If you send your kids here, you will see for yourself.

Im August it would have been a year and I wish my son could have stayed here longer but we had to…read moremove. The staff was amazing, caring and so attentive towards him, they have set the bar for what I expect from all other daycares in the future. They do everything to keep the parents involved from daily check-ins, giving curriculum updates, and sending daily updates of your baby. As a first-time mom, they put all my worries at ease and I always recommend this place to anyone who asks. I honestly don't know how they don't have a 5-star rating because the whole staff truly cares about their kids and provides an environment for them to grow safe and confident.

When it was time for me to return to work at 8 weeks, we struggled to find a daycare for my sons…read moreage that had an opening. By some miracle, stepping stones had an opening! Everyone was so friendly and knew my child's name and he loved them back. He smiled and got excited to spend his day with them and even saying goodbye, which to me was a good sign. This place was ALWAYS clean, never had any funky odors, and even the other parents where so friendly in passing. Toys, high chairs, counters, etc were always clean - I'm honestly not sure how they do it! Entry is gated with an access code and parking is located a short walk away. Teachers plan fun art activities with the children that get sent home for you to keep. Teachers update you throughout the day with diaper changes, feedings, and my favorite - photos - to see how their day is going, through Pro Care app. The ONLY reason we are no longer here, is because we couldn't afford it. We don't qualify for any kind of assistance and the cost was starting to add up for us. To the entire team at Stepping Stones Waipahu - we greatly appreciate the care you took of our miracle baby!