UH Manoa to offer new early childhood education program this fall

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) - The University of Hawaii at Manoa’s College of Education is offering a new program starting this fall.

The new UH Manoa Bachelor of Education in Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) program is designed to address the growing demand for qualified pre-K teachers by training participants to nurture and guide children from birth through age 8.

“The College of Education is committed to addressing Hawaii’s critical need for early childhood educators by providing a high-quality, accessible pathway for future teachers,” said Nathan Murata, UH Manoa College of Education dean.

The program’s announcement Friday was in partnership with Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke, who leads the Ready Keiki initiative, a program that aims to expand early childhood education across the state and has opened 92 classrooms so far.

Luke said, “Expanding access to early childhood education is at the heart of the Ready Keiki initiative, and this new degree program is a critical step in ensuring we have the qualified teachers needed to support Hawaii’s youngest learners.”

The ECCE program will be grounded in both Hawaii’s cultural and educational landscape, as well as integrating community input that addresses local needs.

The program also offers a full-time schedule with evening classes in a hybrid format accessible statewide.

Upon completion, graduates will be recommended for a Hawaii early childhood teaching license for preschool through third grade.

The deadline to enroll for the fall 2025 semester is Mar. 1. Learn more and apply here.

Stipends are available. Learn about the Early Childhood Educator Stipend Program here.