A daycare license in Hawaii is issued by Hawaii Department of Human Services (DHS), which administers childcare licensing statewide. Providers must keep 7 documents on file for staff and children and meet 4 staff-to-child ratios by age group. Renewal: Annual license renewal required. The checklist below covers what belongs in each file and what has to stay current.
Parents fill it out on their phone · free · no card
Informational only — not legal advice, and not a statement of what Hawaii Department of Human Services (DHS) requires today. GetDocsSigned is not affiliated with or endorsed by Hawaii Department of Human Services (DHS). Requirements change; confirm with your licensing representative before relying on anything on this page.
Free Checklists
See a ready-made enrollment packet →Hawaii childcare licensing is administered by the Department of Human Services. All facilities providing care for 5 or more children must be licensed. Hawaii requires physical room dividers in larger rooms with multiple age groups. The director is counted in ratio only for facilities with 16 or fewer children enrolled.
| Age Group | Staff : Children |
|---|---|
| Infants (6 weeks–12 months) | 1:4 |
| Infants (12–24 months) | 1:4 |
| Toddlers (18–36 months) | 1:6 |
| Preschool (2+ years) | 1:8 |
Ratios shown are a summary and have not yet been checked against Hawaii Department of Human Services (DHS)'s rule text. Confirm with the agency before relying on them. Source: Hawaii DHS Child Care Program
Enrollment Form
Complete enrollment with child information and parent/guardian contacts.
Immunization Records
Current immunization records per Hawaii DOH schedule required on file.
Medical/Health Assessment
Physician-signed health report required for enrollment.
Emergency Contact Information
Names and phone numbers of emergency contacts and authorized pickup persons.
Emergency Medical Authorization
Parental consent for emergency medical care.
Allergy and Dietary Information
Documentation of any food allergies or special dietary needs.
Medication AuthorizationConditional
Written parental authorization for any medication to be administered.
GetDocsSigned tracks every one of these per file and flags what’s missing or expiring.
Start freeSummary of the requirement as published — not the governing text. Verified August 2026 · Source: Hawaii DHS Child Care Program
Exemption Policy
Medical and religious exemptions are permitted. Contact the Hawaii Department of Health for current exemption procedures.
Summary of the requirement as published — not the governing text. Verified August 2026 · Source: Hawaii DHS Child Care Program
Minimum Age
18 years
Background Check
State and federal fingerprint-based criminal background check required for all staff and volunteers.
Lead Teacher Education
Child Development Associate (CDA) credential or equivalent ECE coursework required for lead positions.
Assistant Education
High school diploma or GED required. Pre-service training required before working with children.
CPR / First Aid
Pediatric CPR and First Aid certification required. At least one certified staff member on-site at all times.
Continuing Education
Annual professional development training required. Contact DHS for current hour requirements.
Director Qualifications
Director counted in ratio only for facilities with 16 or fewer children. Director qualification requirements set by DHS.
Summary of the requirement as published — not the governing text. Verified August 2026 · Source: Hawaii DHS Child Care Program
Inspection Frequency
At least one unannounced inspection annually. Additional inspections based on complaints.
License Renewal
Annual license renewal required.
Application Process
Contact the DHS to begin the application process. Includes background checks, facility inspection, and documentation review.
Licensing Fee
Varies by capacity. Contact DHS for current fee schedule.
Summary of the requirement as published — not the governing text. Verified August 2026 · Source: Hawaii DHS Child Care Program
Summary of the requirement as published — not the governing text. Verified August 2026 · Source: Hawaii DHS Child Care Program
These are the pages this summary was checked against. The agency's published rules govern; where this page and the agency differ, the agency is right.
Ratios, required documents, and inspection schedules vary from state to state. If you operate near a border, run a second location, or are deciding where to open, start with the states in the Pacific states.
Daycare Enrollment Forms Checklist: Every Document You Need Per Child
The complete list of documents required per child, with state-specific variations.
How to Prepare for a Daycare Licensing Inspection
Step-by-step checklist covering child files, staff records, ratios, and facility safety.
Staff-to-Child Ratios by State: The Complete Comparison
Compare infant, toddler, and preschool ratio requirements across all 50 states.
Daycare Immunization Requirements by State
Required vaccines and exemption policies — medical only, religious, or philosophical.
One link. Parents complete child information, emergency contacts, pickup, immunizations, health details, and consents on their phone, and the finished packet lands in your account as a PDF. Free to start, no card.