Children's Center Inc

Excellent teachers and staff! If you are looking for Ohana style child care, with great educational skills and caring I would highly recommend the Children's Center.
May 28th, 2020

My daughter attended this gem of a preschool from age 2.5 to 4.5. She recently got into a private pre k and has had no problem adjusting thanks to the wonderful preparation she received at the children's center. The school director has decades of early childhood education experience and the teachers here are seasoned professionals who really know how to nurture and yet encourage independence in the tiniest learners. They provide a holistic experience that treats each child as a special, unique part of the school ohana. Their campus is on the beautiful Nuuanu Congregational Church and allows for nature walks by the stream, a spacious outdoor playground, gymnasium and more. They have also done a great job adjusting to covid and keeping the children as safe as possible. My daughter learned so much here and I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a quality, caring preschool for their child!
Sep 27th, 2021

The best school in the whole wide world! My son is about to start at The Children's Center, and he could not be more excited! He loves his new friends and teachers, and I'm so excited for him to learn from them. The school encourages the children to think for themselves and helps them to learn how to think and do things for themselves. The staff is friendly and they have decades of experience with little ones, so I have zero hesitations about leaving my child with them. It is a peaceful, colorful, and exciting environment for my son to spend his days. In another review, I saw some complaints about fundraising for the school and the donations they ask from the parents. It is a non-profit school, and I am more than willing to give my donations and support to the people who care all day for my child. The tuition is comparable, or less expensive than most other schools on the island. The student teacher ratio is small so I know my child is receiving the attention and support he needs from his teachers. The director and all of the teachers care greatly for the children, and want to make sure the parents are informed and kept in the loop on everything their child is learning and any problems that occurred. The director will meet with you in a parent teacher conference if you have any concerns about your child. I feel very supported and fortunate to be a part of this community. I recommend this school to anyone looking for a safe, friendly, fun learning environment for their little ones!
Sep 19th, 2019

I have sent my oldest child here, and have decided to send my youngest here again. I trust the teachers here, and it is very hard to believe any abuse or violence has taken place. The school is focused on peace, aloha and ohana. These principles are taught on a daily basis to our children. With the world today, I believe this a great foundation to teach kids. The main teachers and director have been at this school for I believe 30+ years. They are enthusiastic and you can tell that they love working with the kids. Best of all, they are so good at it. My kids love it here.The tuition is comparable to other preschools at $1150. They may not have the technology and high end knick knacks of other schools, but I don't find it necessary. My children get enough exposure to technology at home. At school, they do nature walks around the school, work in the garden, they harvest and prepare a dish, science experiments, waterplay, etc. A very down to earth school, that teaches the kids to love and respect each other, as well as the aina (land).It is a small school, so all the teachers and students all know each other. Very tight community, and parents also end up knowing each other. They do ask for donations and to contribute to fundraisers, but typical of other schools.
Aug 6th, 2019

The Children's Center, Inc. (TCCI) has been part of our family since my daughter attended and is now a mother.  I wanted to write this review as my granddaughter now attends the same school 20 plus years later; but more importantly, to share my opinions from a grandparent's perspective not only for parents seeking quality wholesome care for their children but also for grandparents who are co-parenting and actively involved in their grandchild's progress and well-being.TCCI's teachings and core principles are founded on love, aloha, and peace. No cookie cutter systems or fancy hi-tech equipment needed. TCCI serves as a nurturing environment for our children to learn with well-planned out field trips to places such as Ho'omaluhia Botanical Gardens, Kualoa Ranch, Aloun Farms (upcoming), and Hawaii Plantation Village to name a few with a collective goal to teach our children about nature, caring for the environment, and living creatures.  Curriculum also includes a cultural luncheon day and on hot sunny Summer days, the children enjoy water play and partaking in the harvesting of TCCI's veggie garden.  What we like most is how each child is treated as an individual and teachers, always addressed by "Ms." never "aunty" will work with each child with sincere intent and goals in mind. Invaluable skills are taught daily - setting children up for success such as independence, respect, social, cognitive, and how to problem solve a given situation as well as empathy and kindness (as Tricia D. mentioned). Ms. Charlene and Ms. Kiarra are equally awesome teachers communicating daily on my granddaughter's progress, what she has done during the school day, and any special moments in the classroom always providing updates on projects and playtime activities she is involved in.Our granddaughter loves going to school and comes home everyday waiting to practice her scissor cutting skills, to coloring and reading books sent home from the school and is working on how to properly write the letters of the alphabet all the while refining her motor skills.  We have witnessed her blossom out of her shyness and is working with staff to develop a plan to help her express her feelings, improve on self-confidence and learn how to be more assertive.  Teachers of both Peace and Aloha rooms will recap the current week's events via a newsletter to parents/grandparents at the end of every single week keeping all informed of activities, upcoming events and happenings in and outside the classroom and are always attentive to parents' concerns keeping an open line of communication.Tuition is comparable. If one does their research, most private pre-k schools will charge equal or more.  We are grateful TCCI has worked with my daughter in getting the child care assistance through State programs she needs and with the passing of their office assistant last year, both the Director and teachers pulled together to make things work.TCCI's Director and teachers have a wealth of knowledge and experience in child development and in working with young minds.  It is evident by the number of years (30 plus) she has kept TCCI running successfully and at optimum peak, with low turnover in staff and support from families past and present. Highly recommend!
Aug 6th, 2019