Hawaii Childcare Subsidy for Relative Caregivers

Three Childcare Programs Hawaii Kinship Caregivers Should Know About

Childcare on the islands is expensive, and when you are raising a grandchild or relative's child on a fixed income, even part-time care can strain the budget. Hawaii runs three programs that can reduce or eliminate childcare costs — and they work differently enough that you may qualify for one even if another does not fit your situation.

Child Care Connection Hawaii (CCCH)

CCCH is BESSD's primary childcare subsidy. It covers children under 13 (or ages 13 to 18 if the child cannot do self-care and lives with a parent or caretaker). The caregiver must be working, attending school, or participating in job training — in a two-caregiver household, both adults need to meet the activity requirement.

Gross monthly income must not exceed 85% of State Median Income, which is approximately $6,202 per month for a family of three. Copays are on a sliding scale based on household income. CCCH subsidies may be paid to families by EBT or direct deposit, or directly to a licensed childcare provider.

Applications are accepted year-round through the Child Care Subsidy portal.

Preschool Open Doors (POD)

POD is a separate state-funded tuition subsidy administered by PATCH (People Attentive To Children) on behalf of DHS. It helps with preschool tuition for children ages two through four who are not yet eligible for kindergarten.

The big difference from CCCH: POD does not require the caregiver to be working, in school, or in training, though applicants must meet its age, residency, and income rules. This matters for retired grandparents or relatives who are not employed — CCCH normally requires an eligible activity unless the care is needed for protective purposes, while POD does not.

For the 2026–2027 school year, POD applications opened May 29, 2026 and are accepted through May 31, 2027, or until funding capacity is reached. Priority goes to four-year-olds and children with special needs. Copays are on a sliding scale.

Universal Public Pre-K

Hawaii's Executive Office on Early Learning (EOEL) and the Department of Education are expanding tuition-free public pre-K. The Legislature approved 25 additional public pre-K classrooms for 2025–2026 and 25 more for 2026–2027, creating approximately 1,000 new seats.

Public pre-K has no income requirement and no activity mandate. If a designated school near you has open seats, enrollment is free. For 2026–2027, applications opened March 2, 2026; priority categories were considered through June 30, after which applications were considered first-come, first-served through the end of the school year, with preference for priority-category applicants. Apply at earlylearning.ehawaii.gov.

Which Program Fits Your Situation?

These programs can stack with other benefits. A child receiving TANF, SNAP, or Med-QUEST can also receive childcare assistance — there is no rule against combining them.

For step-by-step application instructions, the income worksheets, and a list of PATCH offices by island, see the Hawaii kinship financial help guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a relative who babysits be paid through CCCH? CCCH subsidizes care by DHS-approved providers. Relatives may provide care in a home setting; providers who are not licensed by DHS must still complete the required background checks to receive a subsidy.

What if I miss the POD enrollment window? For 2026–2027, POD applications opened May 29, 2026 and are accepted through May 31, 2027, or until funding capacity is reached. If you miss the deadline or funding capacity is reached, CCCH and public pre-K may be alternatives. Check the next POD cycle opening date through PATCH at 808-839-1988.

Do I need a court order for my grandchild to enroll in any of these? No. Informal caregivers can apply for CCCH and POD. Public pre-K enrollment through DOE may require a school caregiver affidavit under HRS § 302A-482 for the child to attend.

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