Campuses to sprout preschool additions
By Jennifer Hiller
Advertiser Education Writer
The state will start building 13 preschools next month on public elementary school campuses to get more children from low-income families into early education programs.
| Pre-Plus program sites | |
| Here's a list of elementary school campuses where Pre-Plus programs will be available, and contact numbers for information on applying: | |
| • | Hawai'i Community Action Program: 847-2400
'Aiea Elementary School |
| • | Parents and Children Together: 842-5996
Fern Elementary School |
| • | Kama'aina Kids, 262-4538
Waipahu Elementary School |
| • | Maui Economic Opportunity: (808) 249-2988
Kahului Elementary School, Maui |
| • | The lieutenant governor's office toll-free: 974-4000, Ext. 60255 and ask for the Pre-Plus coordinator
Keonepoko Elementary School, Big Island |
| • | Hawai'i County Economic Opportunity Council: (808) 961-2686
Mountain View Elementary School, Big Island |
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"Without this program, disadvantaged children have, in the past, simply entered kindergarten a step behind their peers," Hirono said. "Pre-Plus corrects that inequity."
Pre-Plus is a public-private partnership; while the state provides the buildings rent-free, licensed and accredited private providers will operate the preschools.
Although families of all income levels can apply to the Pre-Plus schools, preference will be given to children whose families are at or below 200 percent of the Federal Poverty Index, which is classified as a family of four having an income of under $36,000.
Harold Maeha of Waipahu said his family will be one of the first to apply for the Pre-Plus program for daughter Toni, 4, and in a few years for Tatum, 1. "It's not fair that some kids have more opportunities than others because of the amount of money their parents are earning," Mahea said.
Allison Maeha said that even with the help of some subsidies, her family has never earned enough to afford daycare for Toni. "I'm a stay-at-home mom. We're struggling with that," she said. While she's trying to look for a job, it's difficult to afford baby sitters to be able to get out on job interviews. "I'm looking forward to even being able to apply for jobs," Allison Maeha said.
Plus, she said Toni, who already knows the alphabet, her numbers and how to spell her name, would have the benefit of being around other children her age. "She doesn't have peers at home, other 4-year-olds who are learning the same things she is," Maeha said.
Hirono said she hopes Pre-Plus is a step toward universal access to preschool for all of Hawai'i's children. Each classroom can serve 20 children, and next year, another 13 classrooms will be built.
Studies show that early-childhood education makes a difference in future academic success. In addition to better language and math skills, children who have had a quality preschool experience are less likely to drop out of school, repeat grades or require special education.
A national report released last week said that despite some state efforts to improve access to preschool for disadvantaged children, there are great disparities in early childhood education in Hawai'i. More than 70 percent of children in high-income areas arrive in kindergarten with some preschool experience, but only about 30 percent of kindergartners in low-income areas have attended preschool, according to Education Week's "Quality Counts" survey.
"Three years old is too early to separate our children into the haves and have nots," said Clayton Fujie, Department of Education deputy superintendent.
A preference for daycare by relatives also could be thwarting the state's efforts in early education for needy children, though, the study said. About 60 percent of the state subsidies for childcare go to relatives of the families.
Pre-Plus is a partnership between the state, the Good Beginnings Alliance, Kamehameha Schools, Head Start and other programs. Kamehameha preschools, the state's second-largest provider of preschool services, after Head Start, plans to expand to reach 11,000 children within five years and all 30,000 Native Hawaiian children in 15 years.
Reach Jennifer Hiller at jhiller@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8084.
