Hawaii Childcare Required Forms & Documents (2026)

Hawaii childcare centers are required to collect and maintain a completed DHS 951 — Application for License to Operate a Group Child Care Center or Group Child Care Home for every enrolled child (per Hawaii Department of Human Services (DHS), Benefit, Employment and Support Services Division (BESSD) — Child Care Licensing Program).

Hawaii childcare centers are required to collect and maintain a completed DHS 950 — Guide for GCC, GCH, BAS, IT Licensing for every enrolled child (per Hawaii Department of Human Services (DHS), Benefit, Employment and Support Services Division (BESSD) — Child Care Licensing Program).

Hawaii childcare centers are required to collect and maintain a completed DHS 952 — Statement of Operation Policies for every enrolled child (per Hawaii Department of Human Services (DHS), Benefit, Employment and Support Services Division (BESSD) — Child Care Licensing Program).

Hawaii childcare centers are required to collect and maintain a completed DHS 953 — Statement of Legal Authority for every enrolled child (per Hawaii Department of Human Services (DHS), Benefit, Employment and Support Services Division (BESSD) — Child Care Licensing Program).

Hawaii childcare centers are required to collect and maintain a completed DHS 954 — Child Care Center Staff and Volunteer Listing for every enrolled child (per Hawaii Department of Human Services (DHS), Benefit, Employment and Support Services Division (BESSD) — Child Care Licensing Program).

Hawaii childcare centers are required to collect and maintain a completed DHS 957 — Staff Sequence Form for every enrolled child (per Hawaii Department of Human Services (DHS), Benefit, Employment and Support Services Division (BESSD) — Child Care Licensing Program).

Hawaii childcare centers are required to collect and maintain a completed DHS 948 — Authorization for Background Check and to Release Information (DHS 948A instructions; DHS 948B Non-Criminal Justice Applicant Privacy Rights) for every enrolled child (per Hawaii Department of Human Services (DHS), Benefit, Employment and Support Services Division (BESSD) — Child Care Licensing Program).

Hawaii childcare centers are required to collect and maintain a completed DHS 961A / DHS 961D — Instructions for Background Checks (Oahu / Neighbor Island) for every enrolled child (per Hawaii Department of Human Services (DHS), Benefit, Employment and Support Services Division (BESSD) — Child Care Licensing Program).

Hawaii childcare centers are required to collect and maintain a completed DHS 958 / DHS 959 / DHS 959A — Instructions for Employment History Clearance, Employment History Form, Self-Certification of Employment for every enrolled child (per Hawaii Department of Human Services (DHS), Benefit, Employment and Support Services Division (BESSD) — Child Care Licensing Program).

Hawaii childcare centers are required to collect and maintain a completed DHS 962 — Synopsis of Criminal History Law Requirements for every enrolled child (per Hawaii Department of Human Services (DHS), Benefit, Employment and Support Services Division (BESSD) — Child Care Licensing Program).

Hawaii childcare centers are required to collect and maintain a completed DHS 969 — Child Care Licensing Self-Certification Form for every enrolled child (per Hawaii Department of Human Services (DHS), Benefit, Employment and Support Services Division (BESSD) — Child Care Licensing Program).

Hawaii childcare centers are required to collect and maintain a completed DHS 974A — Notification of Change(s) Form for every enrolled child (per Hawaii Department of Human Services (DHS), Benefit, Employment and Support Services Division (BESSD) — Child Care Licensing Program).

Hawaii childcare centers are required to collect and maintain a completed DHS 975 / DHS 975A — Request to Increase or Determine License Capacity and Agreement (with instructions) for every enrolled child (per Hawaii Department of Human Services (DHS), Benefit, Employment and Support Services Division (BESSD) — Child Care Licensing Program).

Hawaii childcare centers are required to collect and maintain a completed DHS 970 / DHS 971 / DHS 972 — Reference Guides for Preschool / Infant-Toddler / Before-After School Staff Qualifications for every enrolled child (per Hawaii Department of Human Services (DHS), Benefit, Employment and Support Services Division (BESSD) — Child Care Licensing Program).

Hawaii childcare centers are required to collect and maintain a completed DOE Form 14 — Child's Health Record (physical examination, immunizations) for every enrolled child (per Hawaii Department of Human Services (DHS), Benefit, Employment and Support Services Division (BESSD) — Child Care Licensing Program).

Hawaii childcare centers are required to collect and maintain a completed DHS 908 / DHS 908A — Early Childhood Pre-K Health Record Supplement (with instructions) for every enrolled child (per Hawaii Department of Human Services (DHS), Benefit, Employment and Support Services Division (BESSD) — Child Care Licensing Program).

Hawaii childcare centers are required to collect and maintain a completed DHS 984 / DHS 984A — Medical Report (with instructions) for every enrolled child (per Hawaii Department of Human Services (DHS), Benefit, Employment and Support Services Division (BESSD) — Child Care Licensing Program).

What forms are required for childcare enrollment in Hawaii?

Hawaii requires the following forms for each enrolled child: DHS 951 — Application for License to Operate a Group Child Care Center or Group Child Care Home; DHS 950 — Guide for GCC, GCH, BAS, IT Licensing; DHS 952 — Statement of Operation Policies; DHS 953 — Statement of Legal Authority; DHS 954 — Child Care Center Staff and Volunteer Listing; DHS 957 — Staff Sequence Form; DHS 948 — Authorization for Background Check and to Release Information (DHS 948A instructions; DHS 948B Non-Criminal Justice Applicant Privacy Rights); DHS 961A / DHS 961D — Instructions for Background Checks (Oahu / Neighbor Island); DHS 958 / DHS 959 / DHS 959A — Instructions for Employment History Clearance, Employment History Form, Self-Certification of Employment; DHS 962 — Synopsis of Criminal History Law Requirements; DHS 969 — Child Care Licensing Self-Certification Form; DHS 974A — Notification of Change(s) Form; DHS 975 / DHS 975A — Request to Increase or Determine License Capacity and Agreement (with instructions); DHS 970 / DHS 971 / DHS 972 — Reference Guides for Preschool / Infant-Toddler / Before-After School Staff Qualifications; DOE Form 14 — Child's Health Record (physical examination, immunizations); DHS 908 / DHS 908A — Early Childhood Pre-K Health Record Supplement (with instructions); DHS 984 / DHS 984A — Medical Report (with instructions).

How long must Hawaii childcare centers keep enrollment forms on file?

Hawaii childcare licensing rules require that child records, including all required enrollment forms, be kept on file for the duration of enrollment and for a retention period after the child leaves. Contact the Hawaii Department of Human Services (DHS), Benefit, Employment and Support Services Division (BESSD) — Child Care Licensing Program to confirm the exact retention schedule.

What happens if a Hawaii center is missing required child forms during an inspection?

Missing or incomplete required forms are a citable deficiency in a Hawaii childcare licensing inspection. Statutory penalty under HRS §346-156 (Penalty; remedies): any person/entity violating any provision of HRS ch. 346 Part VIII (Child Care) or any rule adopted thereunder shall be fined up to $1,000 for each day of violation; the fine may be up to $3,000 for each day for a violation of HRS §346-161 or §346-171. The department may enforce via administrative and/or judicial proceedings. HAR §17-892.2-4 (Fines): operating a child care facility without a license is a violation punishable by a fine not to exceed the maximum allowable under law; additional fineable offenses (which may also lead to denial/suspension/revocation) include exceeding licensed capacity, violating staff-child ratios, improperly certifying staff credentials, failing to comply with timely background-check requests (ch. 17-801), allowing conditions of risk/imminent danger to children or resulting injuries, and failure to report suspected child abuse or neglect. A license shall be immediately suspended where conditions constitute an imminent danger to children's health, welfare, or safety (HAR §17-892.2-5(b)); denial/suspension/revocation procedures and appeal rights are in HAR §17-892.2-5.

Does TotReady provide templates for Hawaii required forms?

TotReady's enrollment form tool and incident report tool generate Hawaii-ready documents pre-filled with the required fields. Visit /tools/enrollment-form and /tools/incident-report to get started.