A mere 7.3 percent of the state’s public kindergarten classrooms had a majority of their students fully engaged and ready to learn on the first day of school, according to the 2010-2011 Hawaii State School Readiness Assessment.

“Before age 5, about 85 percent of brain growth occurs and the foundations of thinking, aptitude and language are built,” says Liz Chun, executive director of Good Beginnings Alliance, a nonprofit advocacy group for early childhood learning.

If your child will be entering kindergarten in the next couple of years, consider the many quality programs available—all geared toward giving your child the opportunity to learn how to be a student, how to socialize well, how to listen and how to share attention. These programs will also provide a head start in fundamentals such as reading, writing and arithmetic.

Additional Preschool & Toddler Programs

Adventures in Art
Phone: 223-7946
Website: advinart.com
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The Cole Academy
Phone: 531-4500
Website: thecoleacademy.com
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Gymboree Play & Music
Phone: 486-7529 or 737-8111
Website: gymboreeclasses.com
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Hanalani Schools
Phone: 625-0737, ext. 456
Website: hanalani.org
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Hawaii State Ballet
Phone: 947-2755
Website: hawaiistateballet.com
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Honolulu Waldorf
Phone: 377-5471
Website: honoluluwaldorf.org
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Musikgarten
Phone: 388-4838
Website: musikgartenhawaii.com
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Ohana Music Together
Phone: 372-8767
Website: OhanaMT.com
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Olivet Baptist Preschool
Phone: 949-7548
Website: olivetpreschool.com
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Pacific School of Music
Phone: 836-8887
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Pa De Deux
Phone: 671-0350
Website: pasdedeuxhawaii.com
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Royal Academy of Ballet Hawaii
Phone: 528-0808
Website: rabhawaii.com
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Stepping Stones Academy
Phone: 593-2922 or 485-1010
Website: stepping-stones-academy.com
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Wesley Children’s Programs
Phone: 732-3273
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YMCA
Phone: 531-YMCA (531-9622)
Website: ymcahonolulu.org