How to Start a Daycare in Hawaii (2026)

Last updated: February 26, 2026

Starting a daycare or childcare center in Hawaii is a heavily regulated process overseen by the Hawaii Department of Human Services (DHS), specifically the Benefit, Employment and Support Services Division (BESSD) Child Care Licensing Program. Any facility caring for 6 or more children under age 13 must obtain a Group Child Care Center (GCCH) license before opening. The licensing process involves criminal background checks for all staff, physical facility inspections by fire and health authorities, adherence to strict child-to-staff ratios, and proof of required training in early childhood education and first aid.

Daycare Requirements in Hawaii at a Glance

Requirement	Agency	Cost	Timeline
LLC Formation	DCCA BREG	$50	3-5 business days
GET License (Form BB-1)	Hawaii Dept. of Taxation	$20 (one-time)	5-7 days online
Group Child Care Center License	DHS BESSD Child Care Licensing	Contact DHS for current fee	60-120+ days
Background Check / Fingerprinting (all staff)	Hawaii Criminal Justice Data Center	$30-$50 per person	2-4 weeks
Fire Inspection	Hawaii State Fire Council / county fire dept.	Free or nominal fee	Scheduled with DHS pre-license
Health Inspection	Hawaii Dept. of Health	Free or nominal fee	Scheduled with DHS pre-license
Workers’ Compensation Insurance	DLIR / Private carrier	Varies	Required before first employee hired

How to Start a Daycare in Hawaii (Step by Step)

Step 1: Form Your Business Entity and Get Your GET License

Register your daycare business and obtain your tax accounts before beginning the licensing process.

• LLC Formation: File Articles of Organization at hbe.ehawaii.gov. Fee: $50. Annual report: $15/year.
• EIN: Apply free at irs.gov.
• GET License: File Form BB-1 at Hawaii Tax Online. Fee: $20 one-time. Childcare services are subject to GET at the combined rate of 4.5% (4.0% state + 0.5% county surcharge).

Step 2: Understand the License Type You Need

Hawaii DHS BESSD licenses different types of childcare facilities based on the number of children and age groups served:

• Family Child Care Home (FCCH): For care of up to 5 children in the provider’s home. Requires registration, not a full license. Less restrictive requirements.
• Group Child Care Center (GCCH): Required for 6 or more children under age 13 in a non-residential setting. This is the standard license for a commercial daycare center. Governed by HAR Title 17, Chapter 892.2.
• Group Child Care Home (GCH): Care for 6-12 children in the provider’s home. Different requirements than a GCCH.
• Infant and Toddler Child Care Center (IT): Specialized GCCH license for infants (under 18 months). Stricter staff ratios (typically 1:4) and physical requirements.
• Before and After School (BAS): For school-age children before/after school hours.

For most commercial daycare startups, the Group Child Care Center (GCCH) license is required. Contact the DHS BESSD Child Care Licensing Program for current application packets and fee schedules: humanservices.hawaii.gov/bessd/child-care-program.

Step 3: Secure and Prepare Your Facility

Your physical facility must meet Hawaii’s minimum standards before a license will be issued.

• Indoor space: Minimum 35 square feet of usable indoor floor space per child (excluding bathrooms, offices, storage, and kitchen).
• Outdoor space: Minimum 75 square feet of outdoor play space per child who will use it simultaneously.
• Bathrooms: One toilet and one handwashing sink per 15 children; accessible fixtures for the age group served.
• Safety: Fenced outdoor play areas, age-appropriate equipment, safe storage for cleaning supplies and medications out of children’s reach.
• Zoning: Confirm your location is zoned for childcare use. Contact your county planning department (Honolulu DPP, or county equivalent on other islands).

Step 4: Criminal Background Checks for All Staff

Hawaii requires criminal background checks for all childcare providers, employees, and any household members of family childcare homes before they may have unsupervised contact with children.

• Hawaii State Background Check: Fingerprint-based check through the Hawaii Criminal Justice Data Center (CJDC). Fee: approximately $30-$50 per person.
• FBI National Check: Also required. Submitted through Hawaii CJDC as part of the same process.
• Sex Offender Registry check: DHS verifies all staff against the Hawaii Sex Offender Registry and the National Sex Offender Public Website (NSOPW).
• Allow 2-4 weeks for background check results.

Step 5: Meet Staff Training and Qualification Requirements

Hawaii sets minimum qualifications for childcare center directors and staff:

• Center Director: Must hold a minimum of an associate’s degree (preferably in early childhood education or a related field) or a combination of coursework and experience specified in HAR 17-892.2.
• Lead Teacher: Minimum of 12 semester credits in early childhood education or child development from an accredited institution, or equivalent documented experience.
• All Staff: Must complete pediatric CPR and First Aid certification before having primary responsibility for children. Certification must be renewed per provider requirements (typically every 2 years).
• Hawaii Early Childhood Registry: DHS operates the Early Childhood Registry at humanservices.hawaii.gov for tracking credentials.

Step 6: Apply for Your Group Child Care Center License

Submit a complete application to the DHS BESSD Child Care Licensing Unit for your island.

• Application package includes: Completed DHS application form, floor plan with dimensions, staff list with credentials, CPR/First Aid certificates, background check authorizations, proof of insurance, facility lease or ownership documentation.
• Inspections: Before a license is issued, your facility will be inspected by:
  • Hawaii Department of Health (plumbing, sanitation, water supply)
  • Hawaii State Fire Marshal or county fire department (fire safety, egress, alarms, suppression)
  • DHS licensing specialist (program quality, safety, compliance with HAR)
• Timeline: The licensing process typically takes 60-120+ days from application submission to license issuance, depending on inspection scheduling, background check processing, and any required corrections.
• Contact information by island:
  Oahu: (808) 587-5266
  Visit humanservices.hawaii.gov/bessd/child-care-program/child-care-licensing for statewide unit contacts.

Step 7: Get Insurance and Register as Employer

• Workers’ Compensation: Required immediately upon hiring your first employee. Childcare centers will have multiple employees – ensure coverage is in place before anyone begins working with children. Contact DLIR DCD: labor.hawaii.gov/dcd.
• General Liability Insurance: Minimum liability coverage is required by DHS. Most childcare operators carry at least $1 million per occurrence. Consult DHS licensing requirements for your specific minimum.
• UI Tax Registration: Register with DLIR within 20 days of first hire. New employer rate: 2.40% on first $64,500/employee/year (2026, Schedule C).

Cost to Start a Daycare in Hawaii

Item	Cost	Notes
LLC formation	$50	DCCA BREG
GET license	$20	One-time; Form BB-1
Group Child Care Center license fee	Contact DHS	Contact DHS BESSD for current fee schedule
Background checks (per staff member)	$30-$50/person	Hawaii CJDC; required for all staff
CPR/First Aid certification (per staff)	$30-$75/person	Red Cross, American Heart Association, or equivalent
General liability insurance (annual)	$2,000-$5,000/yr	Higher in Hawaii due to island cost-of-living
Facility build-out / furnishings	$10,000-$50,000+	Child-appropriate furniture, safety features, play equipment
Lease deposit and first month (Honolulu)	$3,000-$10,000+	Hawaii commercial space is expensive; varies by island and location

Estimated total startup cost: $20,000 – $75,000+ (facility and staffing are the dominant costs)

Related Hawaii Business Guides

• How to Start a Cleaning Service in Hawaii
• How to Start a Hair Salon in Hawaii
• How to Start a Food Truck in Hawaii

← Back to all Hawaii business guides

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need to open a daycare in Hawaii?

Any facility caring for 6 or more children under age 13 in a non-residential setting requires a Group Child Care Center (GCCH) license from the Hawaii Department of Human Services (DHS), Benefit, Employment and Support Services Division (BESSD). Home-based care for up to 5 children in your own home may qualify for a Family Child Care Home registration instead, which has less restrictive requirements. Contact DHS BESSD at humanservices.hawaii.gov/bessd/child-care-program.

How long does it take to get a daycare license in Hawaii?

The licensing process for a Group Child Care Center in Hawaii typically takes 60-120+ days from application submission to final license issuance. This time includes background check processing (2-4 weeks), scheduling of fire department and health department inspections, facility corrections if required, and DHS review. Start the process well before your intended opening date.

Do all daycare staff need background checks in Hawaii?

Yes. Hawaii requires fingerprint-based criminal background checks through the Hawaii Criminal Justice Data Center for all childcare providers, employees, and household members of family childcare homes before unsupervised contact with children is permitted. The check includes both Hawaii state records and FBI national records. Cost is approximately $30-$50 per person.

What are the staff-to-child ratios for Hawaii daycares?

Hawaii’s required ratios under HAR Title 17, Chapter 892.2 include: infants (under 18 months) – 1:4; toddlers (18-35 months) – 1:6; preschool (3-4 years) – 1:8 to 1:10; school-age – 1:12 to 1:14. Exact ratios depend on your specific license type. Infant and Toddler Centers have stricter requirements. Contact DHS BESSD for the most current ratio table applicable to your license type.

Does Hawaii’s GET apply to daycare services?

Yes. Childcare services in Hawaii are subject to the General Excise Tax. The combined GET rate of 4.5% (4.0% state + 0.5% county surcharge) applies to gross receipts from childcare services. Register for a GET license via Form BB-1 at Hawaii Tax Online for a one-time $20 fee before opening.