Spotlight On Early Childhood Education

Armed Services YMCA Hawai`i early childhood education programs strengthen military family support systems by decreasing isolation, connecting families with community, and developing strong social networks, while at the same time making certain children have a strong early education foundation. This is especially critical for military families new to the island, new to parenting, or experiencing deployment.

We believe that all military children deserve access to high-quality programs that nurture their social, emotional, physical and academic development; programs that provide them with a safe and nurturing environment, access to caring and invested adults and access to engaging enrichment activities. Our early childhood education programs follow YMCA of the USA Infant-Toddler and Pre-school Guidelines, use evidence-based curriculum and developmentally appropriate practices that play a vital role in helping children achieve their fullest potential.

Our early childhood education programs include:

• • • • • • • • • Parent Participation Preschool
                • Operation Little Learners: Early Learning Readiness
                • Operation Little Learners: Playmorning
                  
                • Kids in the Kitchen

COVID-19 UPDATE: Classes are conducted in accordance with state and federal health guidelines. Masks will only be worn when physical distancing is not possible. Your child and our staff's safety, sanitation, and virus mitigation is of utmost importance. If you have any questions about our safety protocol or other general inquires, please call your branch directly. More COVID-19 updates can be found HERE.

Parent Participation Preschool

Available through all three branches: Joint Base Pearl Harbor Hickam, Marine Corps Base Hawaii (Kaneohe Bay) and Wheeler Army Airfield

PARENT PARTICIPATION PRESCHOOL helps military children ease into this new chapter of their lives by working alongside both their parent and teacher. This academic and theme based, multi-sensory preschool is a three phase program for children ages 3 to 5 years old and is designed to introduce children to a structured learning environment covering math, science, phonics, and writing. All three phases (or levels) of Parent Participation Preschool incorporate Hawaii’s Early Learning and Development Standards as well Second Step Social Emotional Learning and Creative Curriculum. Honu and Naia classes (Phase II and Phase III) have also incorporated STEAM into their curriculum. Class curriculum details are discussed during new student/parent orientation.

Time and Cost:  We offer two and three day morning and afternoon classes. Tuition ranges from $140 to $265 per month depending on the level of the preschool class and whether it meets two or three days per week. Number of classes and meeting times vary between branches; however, we generally offer the following:

• Two-day Phase I preschool class, meets from 8:30am to 10:30am on Tuesdays and Thursdays. 
• Two-day Phase II and Phase III morning preschool classes meet on Monday/Wednesday or Tuesday/Thursday from 8am to 11am.
• Two-day Phase II and Phase III  afternoon preschool classes meet on Monday/Wednesday and Tuesday/Thursday 11:30am to 2:30pm.
• Three-day Phase II and Phase III Preschool class on Monday/Wednesday/Friday from 8am to 11am

How do I enroll? The first step for enrollment is to schedule your child’s free assessment. We strive to place your child in a developmentally appropriate class where they will be challenged but not overwhelmed and thrive socially and academically. Teachers continually evaluate each child’s progress and will recommend advancement to the next phase when the child and parent are ready. Registration packets are available for families at each of our branches on Joint Base Pearl Harbor Hickam, Marine Corps Base Hawaii (Kaneohe Bay) and Wheeler Army Airfield. DOD requires us to request a child’s immunization record, TB clearance and flu shot prior to enrollment.

Contact Information:

• Joint Base Pearl Harbor Hickam: (808) 473-3398 or branchdirectorph@asymcahi.org
  
  • This branch can be difficult to find - even with your GPS. Click here for directions.
• Marine Corps Base Hawaii: (808) 254-4719 or kaneohe@asymcahi.org
• Wheeler Army Airfield: (808) 624-5645 or wheeler@asymcahi.org

Operation Little Learners, Early Learning Readiness

Available through our branches on Joint Base Pearl Harbor Hickam and Wheeler Army Airfield

EARLY LEARNING READINESS is an evidence based program that prepares children, 6 months to 3 years old, for preschool while providing parents with helpful tools to facilitate their child’s development and encourage learning at home. With parents as a child’s first teacher, this instruction will equip them with the confidence, tools, and support they seek to ensure their child embarks on the journey to preschool ready to learn.

ELR meets twice a week for two hours each day and is offered through our Joint Base Pearl Harbor Hickam and Wheeler Army Airfield Branches. It opens with circle time led by an ELR Facilitator followed by self-directed exploration of 10 to13 Play-to-Learn Stations. These stations provide children with high quality physical, emotional, and cognitive experiences and arranges the opportunity for children and caregivers to engage in interactive learning that promote vocabulary, math, and listening skills. Each station has a cue card designed for the parent that explains the activity, what their child will be learning and questions they can ask their child to deepen their understanding of the topic. ELR closes with story-time led by the facilitator.

How do I enroll? Families may attend one complimentary ELR class to see if it is a good fit prior to enrolling. Registration packets are available for families at the branch. DOD requires us to request a child’s immunization record and flu shot prior to enrollment. 

Meets: Twice a week for 2 hours

• Joint Base Pearl Harbor Hickam Branch 
  • Meets Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8:30am to 10:30am at our classroom on Aliamanu Military Reservation, 1875 Aliamanu Drive, Honolulu 96818
  • Branch contact information: (808) 473-3398 or branchdirectorph@asymcahi.org
• Wheeler Army Airfield Branch
  • Meets Mondays and Wednesdays from 9am to 11am at our building, 1262 Santos Dumont Rd
  • Branch Contact information: (808) 624-5645 or wheeler@asymcahi.org

Target Audience: Families with children 0 to 3 years old

Cost: $85 per month for children 6 months and older.

Operation Little Learners, Playmorning                                                            

Available through our branches on Joint Base Pearl Harbor Hickam and Marine Corps Base Hawaii

Target Audience: Families with children 0 to 3 years old. Playmorning is especially helpful for families new to the island and hoping to meet other families with small children.

Meets:  Playmorning schedule is as follows:

• Joint Base Pearl Harbor Hickam - meets at ASYMCA Hawaii's AMR location at 1875 Aliamanu Drive on Fridays, from 8:30 to 10am. Because this is a one-day a week program, the cost is $20 per month for children 6 months and older.
  
  
• Marine Corps Base Hawaii - meets at our branch building, 455 Bingham Way, by the Tax Center and Vet every Tuesday and Thursday from 9:30am to 11am. Cost is $40 per month for children 6 months and older.

How do I enroll? Families may attend one complimentary Playmorning class to see if it is a good fit before enrolling. Registration packets are available for families at the JBPHH and MCBH Branch offices. DOD also requires us to request a child’s immunization record and flu shot prior to enrollment.

Kids in the Kitchen

Available through all three branches: Joint Base Pearl Harbor Hickam, Marine Corps Base Hawaii (Kaneohe Bay) and Wheeler Army Airfield