Preschool Admissions FAQ

How old must my child be to start preschool?

Children must turn two by August 1 and not yet turn five by October 31.

How are children selected for admission?

Children applying to Parker Preschool are selected through a thoughtful, developmentally appropriate review process led by a committee of administrators and early childhood educators. Preschool admissions are not based on academic readiness. Instead, the committee considers each child’s age eligibility, developmental readiness, and the overall composition of the preschool cohort, with the goal of creating a balanced and supportive learning environment for all children.

All preschool applicants who complete the application process by the stated deadline are considered equally for available spaces. When applications exceed capacity, decisions are made based on the factors outlined above. Applications received after the deadline may be reviewed on a rolling basis, as space allows.

Information gathered through the application, family conversations, and any required visits or observations helps the committee determine whether Parker Preschool is an appropriate fit for the child and the program. These elements are considered collectively when making admissions decisions.

Wait Pool:

Space availability is a factor in whether a child is offered a placement in our Preschool program. Children who are admissible, but for whom there is not currently space available, will be placed in the wait pool.

Inadmissible Applicants:

Occasionally, an applicant is deemed inadmissible. While Parker School recognizes the value of all children, the school selects those it is best able to serve within the limits of the school’s resources and mission, as well as those who will make a positive contribution to the school community. Please note that, in order to protect the integrity of the admissions process and the required confidential references, Parker School does not share the details of the committee’s decision not to admit an applicant with the applicant’s family.

Are some applicants given priority over others?

Some priority may be given to children of Parker School employees and siblings of current Parker School students. However, being a sibling of an enrolled student or the child of an employee does not guarantee admission to Parker School. All students, regardless of their priority status, must meet the admission standards for their grade to be considered admissible.

Does Parker Preschool maintain a wait pool?

Yes. Parker Preschool maintains a wait pool when there are more qualified applicants than space permits. If a space becomes available after a wait pool has been established, all applicants in the wait pool are considered equally for that space. Students are not ranked in the wait pool.

When will we receive a decision regarding admission?

For applicants meeting the annual priority deadline, decisions will be communicated within roughly one month of the deadline. Applications submitted after the priority deadline will be processed as they are received.

How do we apply for financial aid?

Parker School does not offer financial aid for preschool. However, families may be eligible for external financial support programs that help offset the cost of early childhood education. These programs are administered independently and have their own eligibility requirements, application processes, and timelines.

Families are encouraged to explore these options early as part of their preschool planning. Common sources of support for preschool-aged children in Hawaiʻi include the Child Care Subsidy Program and Preschool Open Doors. Eligibility and award decisions are determined solely by each program.

Will I get my application documents back?

No. Information you provide to the school becomes part of our records. We encourage you to provide Parker School with copies of any documents you submit and keep the originals for your own records.

Personal references provided to the school are never shared with parents, or anyone else beyond the admissions committee. If a child enrolls in Parker School, the references do not become part of the student’s permanent record.

What if we enroll, but need to break our contract?

Parker School’s enrollment contract is binding. In the event that your child is offered a place in the school, please be sure to read the contract carefully before signing.

For more information, please contact Jackie Caputo, Early Childhood Education Director at preschool@parkerschoolhawaii.org or (808) 746-9302.