The facility, about the size of a small plantation cottage, is the 10th to open for the state's Pre-Plus program, which helps children from low-income families prepare for kindergarten. Three more Pre-Plus buildings are scheduled to open this year, and plans are under way for four more.

"We are totally overjoyed that Pre-Plus finally passed inspection and opened its doors to our children," Jefferson principal Vivian Hee said.

Work on the $342,000 building began more than two years ago. But like much of the Pre-Plus program, various snags and pitfalls slowed things down.

Workers accidentally ruptured an underground sprinkler pipe and flooded the grounds. Parts of the project didn't meet standards for preschools, and had to be upgraded. Then a telephone line had to be installed.

Several other new Pre-Plus buildings sat empty for more than a year while problems were sorted out. Plans for others were reconfigured, and the total number of facilities was reduced from 24 to 17, state comptroller Russ Saito said.

They will cost a total of $5 million.

Despite the setbacks, officials say the idea behind Pre-Plus is a good one. Through the program, the state provides buildings rent-free to licensed and accredited private preschool operators. The Jefferson Pre-Plus program is run by Honolulu Community Action Program-O'ahu Head Start.

"It is essential that our keiki begin school at an early age," said Henry Oliva, deputy director of the Department of Human Services. "It is through these kinds of partnerships that we can accomplish what we can't do alone."

Lt. Gov. James "Duke" Aiona, who was on hand for the Jefferson Pre-Plus grand opening, said it's important to realize that early education is very important to later success. More preschool opportunities should be available to students from "gap group" families with incomes that are low, but above the threshold allowed for Pre-Plus, he said.

"We'd like to get every 3- and 4-year-old in the state in preschool," Aiona said.