Our 5 yr old daughter learned more in a half year at Chaminade University Montessori Lab School…read morethan she has in her previous 4.5 years of life! OK, I may be exaggerating a bit, but I really wanted to sing the praises of the incredible staff at CUMLS. My daughter comes home and asks when she can go to school next. She's constantly amazing us with her vocabulary. She actually taught me the definition of an archipelligo. Maybe she can teach me how to spell it too? What's truly important too is that this year's current crew of teachers are so loving to our kids. I can feel how much they care for the kids as if they are all Ohana. They grow herbs in their garden and my daughter brings home kalo chips, hummus, and other wonderful things that were from the things grown on campus. Extra Kudos to Kristie Sakai who provided a safe space for our keiki and gave us the flexibility to stay distanced during Covid and welcoming us when we were ready to go back to in-person learning. The logistics and coordination are not taken for granted. I'm especially emotional about this fine school since this is our daughter's last day and she'll be moving on to a different school. Our many, many thanks to Ms. Claire, Ms. Megan, Ms. Veronica, and Ms. Kristie for their love and care of our most valued treasures. We will miss CUMLS!

Our third son just finished his last year of preschool at Chaminade University Montessori Lab…read moreSchool and our fourth son is going to be starting this upcoming school year for 2019. All four of our sons will have attended preschool here - which shows clearly how much we have appreciated everything about the school, including the teachers, the program, the campus, the fun night events where parents are invited to visit the school and see students' projects, the security, the shaded and safe playground, convenient school hours, ample parking, and the beautiful view from the classroom and school grounds. The classroom is well organized, clean, and full of amazing educational materials. As other reviewers have noted, the curriculum is Montessori, so no complaints there. We think methods used to teach learning and skills to the young children really works and it's easy to see the progress each month. Some of the other specific things I really liked about the curriculum and how this school instructs the children, is the teaching of practical skills and shared responsibilities like cleaning up and preparing food together, or taking care of the younger children in the classroom. During this past year, our third son looked after a couple of younger children and in turn, was befriend by an older boy that took him under his wing. He couldn't wait to go to school each day! Other things my wife and I appreciated about the school, included all the educational field trips to a variety of places around the island, including historical sites, organic farms, and holiday events. While the teachers and the head staff have changed since we enrolled our oldest son five years ago, the ratio of teachers to students has always been high. We have also liked all the teachers and thought they were caring and attentive and did a great job of communicating about our sons and their progress, including providing us with photos of them learning and doing projects at school. At the end of each year, the students work hard to put on a graduation show that includes music and singing, and a potluck lunch. It's always been a little sad to leave at the end of the school year, which means I highly recommend Chaminade University Montessori Lab School!

My daughter loves going to school thank you Stepping Stones!! She would give them 5 stars herself,…read morenow that she can count forwards and backwards. My daughter started just before turning 3 so she is in daycare. The teachers are loving and amazing. They have a routine for the kids which is good because my daughter has grown so much & understanding. Routine is so good for her, she knows what to do and what to expect. I feel like the teachers genuinely love and care for our children. They treat us like we are family. All the teachers, even other classes know my daughter and our family. Yes it's a family affair!!! We love to drop her off together! && yes ... they potty train! That's a super plus!!! Admin staff is great too. They took care of ME the first few days! I didn't think my daughter was ready. The teachers carried her away & said "bye mom" && within two days my daughter was like "bye mom." I said my daughter won't sleep during 12:00 to 2:30 pm nap time. Well within a week she was taking long naps. I am amazed at what they do!!! The communication is great with Stepping Stones. There's an app where they share pictures of the day of activities they do, when sleep etc. They remind us when the school is on vacation. They also really value their teachers too, which is a good! There are a lot of safety and health protocols in place that I really appreciate too. They wash hands before going into different areas, if she goes home sick she doesn't go in the next day. (Not part of the review just a heads up: her immune system is getting stronger. She would get sick super often in the first few months so our family is a monthly telehealth family!!!) Location is OK. There is a parking structure that I get stuck in often, which isn't Stepping Stones fault but if I put the ticket in enough times, it eventually lets me out! They provide parking so if I have to go into the lot I can get out free. Also, the machine is broken occasionally. The good thing is there's two entrances. So it's not that bad. If I could I would give them six stars.

I was so happy and lucky to experience such an amazing preschool! Excellent daycare! Building is…read moreclean and spacious. Meal plan is well thought and nutritious. They made my son feel very comfortable and cared for. He learned lot of new things to help him prepare for kindergarten. Highly recommend this place for your kids!

I heard many good things about this school and so when minor issues/concerns came up here and…read morethere, I just let it slide because I figured that's how all preschools are. My daughter was always tired and not very happy when coming home from school, but I thought that too was normal. But when I had a safety concern and the director did not take it seriously, and was more than a month unresponsive, I decided to switch my daughter to a different preschool after being at Queen Emma for 2 years. When I switched my daughter to a new school, she came home SO much happier! I didn't realize what a difference a good school can make! Unfortunately, Queen Emma wasn't the right fit for my daughter. I think the teachers there do a great great job! And there are many teachers that my daughter loved! However, I think the classes are so big and the teachers are overworked...and so my daughter thrived much better in a different and more family/small school environment.

Great preschool. My daughter has been there for the last two years. Teachers are happy and there is…read morevery little turnover. The kids are very happy. Strong emphasis on social emotional development. Ms Susan is the director and hands on always subbing in herself if a teacher is sick etc so she really gets to know the kids. Lots of available instruction on parenting skills from potty training workshops (before admission--as kids must be potty trained to start) to play based learning workshops. Also lots of extra curricular activities available during school hours like music, piano, soccer, hula and tumble bus. We love Queen Emma Preschool.

We loved Kiddie Academy and sent both of our children there. The teachers and management are…read morecaring, professional, and helpful. They were all amazing and we especially loved Ms Kimmie and Ms Caitlyn, as well as Ms Keesha and the owner Ronna. My son was quite young when he began and I like that they kept the tiniest babies in their own room which (I think) helped reduce the number of times he got sick! We also had some behavioral challenges and greatly appreciated the level of communication, empathy, and willingness to try various approaches and solutions.

Kiddie Academy is wonderful! The teachers are angels in human form and they provide a great…read moreenvironment for my 2 year old. It's very well-run with good technology and communication. Wonderful option for parents who work in downtown Honolulu.

Central Union is often home to many different things. Punahou Carnival Parking, food drives, and…read moreHabilitat for Humanity Christmas Tree sales. This year we decided to buy our tree here due to my son's school fundraising. It seemed simple enough. We were assigned a date and time to come, although walk-ups are welcome. The process was fast and their trees were fresh out of storage. There weren't many options, but the convenience was easy. They get their trees from Oregon. Prices were the same as other places and go to a good cause. Thank you Central Union for hosting different businesses in your parking lot! It definitely helps the community.

My son goes to this preschool, I like the environment and teachers here. My son likes to go to…read moreschool and see his peers and teachers as well

This is an awesome school! Teachers(they call themselves "guides") are amazing and the kids there…read moreare just wonderful. My oldest got teased at the school she was attending K-2nd grade simply because she was not a fast reader. As result, she quit reading... she refused to read and said "I can't read because I am dumb and color of my hair says I have no brain" . She asked me to dye her blond hair dark so her friends would not pick on her. Talking to the teacher did not help so my husband and I decided to change school... but to where?! Then we found Mo'O school when we were walking around at Manoa shopping center. We looked inside of the school and kids and teachers looked so happy in the classroom. My daughter didn't have any Montessori background but they welcomed her in two years ago and she has been a happy child ever since. I just love the fact that all the children at the school are so caring, helpful and independent. Her friends helped her to start reading again and she loves reading now. She used to watch TV and addicted to iPad but now, her and her little brother never watch TV (I think non of the students there do), not interested in iPad at all. They are either outside making stuff from whatever they find out there, climbing trees or inside drawing, reading, doing board games or sewing something. They help with laundry, dishes and cleaning too! Thanks to Mo'O school, I have two active, happy, motivated and healthy children:-)

The name, Mo'O, is short for Montessori of O'ahu. Mo'o also means "lizard" in Hawaiian, and has…read moresignificance beyond what goes on Yelp. This school is everything I want for my daughter, who is now four and will attend Mo'O until she completes the elementary program, so the next eight years. There's no playground or jungle gym -- the children climb real trees and explore Manoa Valley as a group. There's no homework -- the children have internalized their knowledge and joyfully practice it while they're away from school. There are no massive tubs of cheese puffs, animal crackers and pretzel rods, those preschool snack staples that are all just different forms of enriched flour and preservatives -- snacks are prepared fresh to order by the children, having been supplied weekly by one child's family on a rotating schedule. (A typical snack table has cut fruit or vegetables, some nuts or cheese, and maybe some hummus or other dip and crackers.) The rooms are beautifully prepared with materials of excellent quality; the guides are brilliant, compassionate, and intuitive. As is the hallmark of Montessori, the children do the rest. Uniquely, this Oahu Montessori school fully follows, authentically and carefully, the Montessori method, for children 2.5 through 12. Montessori has no trademark, so anyone can call themselves a Montessori. If your Montessori school doesn't have an uninterrupted, three(-ish)-hour work period during which children choose their work, it's not Montessori. If your Montessori school doesn't have mixed-age classrooms, it's not Montessori. But Mo'O is. I can't say enough good things about this school and the little community that thrives within it. I am so grateful it exists and can't wait to watch it grow.

It's hard to simply describe how much we loved Strode Montessori. Our daughter attended from 5…read moremonths - 18 months old in the infant class, 18 months - 3-years old in the toddler class, then the preschool until she was 5. We interviewed 4 other daycare facilities and Strode was the only one where we left with no doubts or concerns whatsoever, and we knew it was the best choice. We are so lucky we got a spot! Pam, the owner, has always been very responsive and became a trusted advisor as we navigated parenthood. We relied on her for advice and guidance almost as often as we did our pediatrician. The infant room ratio was 1 teacher to 3 infants, but all of the teachers are backups and very involved as needed. You could tell our primary teacher loved our daughter, and our daughter loved her. It was like a family member was taking care of her - the love and care was evident, and the teachers were not simply babysitters. Pam let me store frozen breastmilk there. She had much more freezer space than I had at home. If you have limited freezer space, I know you understand what a welcome offer this is. The toddler room ratio is also low, about 1 teacher to 5 toddlers. Preschool is a little higher. Lunch and snacks are provided. In all three rooms, our daughter thrived. They teach practical lessons, encouraging independence and self-confidence. This is not simply a daycare - they teach and nurture. Our daughter would come home and tell us about the continents, the difference between a moth and a butterfly, how much she loves her teachers, and more. I know this sounds crazy but if you are pregnant and are considering Strode, take a tour and get on the waitlist NOW. You won't regret it.

Strode Montessori was my child's first school/daycare, and it was an amazing experience! They are…read moretechnologically sound, using the bright wheel app to send updates to parents throughout the day with pictures to notes to reassure you of your child's safety and happiness. I appreciated the opportunity to freely communicate with the teachers and administrators at any time throughout the week. The teachers are sweet and kind, and the classroom is pleasant and aesthetic with educational wooden toys in the Montessori style. They also have a lovely outdoor play area that is semi-shaded. Parking is validated at a nearby lot and coded entry required for drop-off and pick-up. Lunch was included in tuition at the time when we attended! Would have loved to stay with them, but the commute was just a bit far for us! If there is a spot open and it is a convenient location, don't hesitate to jump on the opportunity!

I chose to send both of my boys to Pali Preschool and don't regret it at all…read more One has attended since 2020 and is about to enter Kindergarten. During his time at Pali, he has had some amazing teachers that have literally been role models to my husband and I and have even taught us tools and ways to nuture our kids both in and out of school. I honestly wish I could hang out in Ms Sandy/Ms Kacey's class all day and learn myself because they truly teach the kids not just academically, but they teach them tools and mentality to continue using as they move on. We were constantly wowed during the school year of what our son came home and told us he learned at school-- it extends beyond just your basic ABCs and 123s. During COVID, they were really diligent about protocols and keeping classes separated to manage exposures-- in comparison to other schools where our mutual friends sent their children, we definitely noticed a lower level of disruption. My younger child started at Pali for the 2023-24 SY and went from crying every day at drop off with another local daycare to barely saying by to me before running off to play with his equally amazing teachers, Ms Ashley & Ms Mele. They worked together with us to get him potty trained only a month after the school year started at about 2.5 years old. They also perform miracles like getting him to nap on his own with minimal interaction needed, cleaning and going potty without whining, and eating snacks and lunches without roaming around (all struggles we have at home...). Generally speaking, the administration are very engaged from a parent perspective, and you see them also being hands on and helping in classrooms when needed. The hours are very convenient for us and the additional before-/after- school care options are reasonable and great for working parents as well. Curriculum is well rounded and they focus on not just education but exposure and experiences to field trips and activities that keep things interesting and educational for the kids.

I have nothing but good things to say about Pali Preschool! The quality of care and education that…read moremy children received here is unparalleled! The teachers and staff truly care about the kids, and it shows. They go above and beyond to provide a safe and nurturing environment that makes learning fun. My kids actually looked forward to school every day, and if you know my kids, that's saying something! Pali Preschool also lays such a good foundation for kindergarten and beyond. After my son graduated from Pali and entered kindergarten, most of the kindergarten curriculum was a refresher for him, because he already had extensive exposure to most of the concepts (phonics, addition/subtraction, etc.) during his time at Pali. As an added bonus, the regular school hours run all the way until 4:30 (you can pick up earlier if you want, but instruction through 4:30 is included in the standard tuition). If you are looking around at some of the other preschools in town, you'll know that this is huge, because a lot of the other preschools require 2:30 pickup (anything later requires signing up for after school care at an added cost). Another bonus is that they have now brought back a lot of the extracurricular activities that were halted during the pandemic. You are able to sign your child up for a variety of programs including gymnastics, hula, soccer, STEM class, clay class, etc. Such a bonus for parents - you don't have to shuttle your kids to extracurricular activities, because the activities come to them!

I love seeing the family ho'ike form each community ! The Kumu work so creatively and lovingly with…read morethe keiki, makua and community partners !! Mahalo Keiki O Ka Aina!

Amazing group of nice people!! I was introduced to this nonprofit through a Telon on TV in Hawaii…read more They seem to be very sincere in their drive, and I decided to join in. Although getting to this place was quite an adventure it is very high up on a hill, but nevertheless, it was worth being introduced to such nice people!would definitely donate to their cause again this time being total support of rebuilding and helping out the children in Maui and their families!

My son recently joined and he has really enjoyed his time there so far! There aren't many drop-off…read moreoptions available for his age so we were excited to learn about this program! The teacher really does a wonderful job in teaching the children. You can tell there is a lot of thought and effort that goes into her lessons! He is always so excited to come home and tell me all about his day!

Our son has been attending KOP since turning 3, attending two days per week. The school is a great…read moregentle entry to a preschool setting for those not looking to go full time, but instead to introduce little ones to school structure and social interactions. Our son absolutely loves the school, his teacher, and classmates.