Kamehameha Schools’ Ka Pua Initiative recently hosted an open house to celebrate the opening of the new Preschool Complex and Infant and Toddler Center at KS’ Community Learning Center at Mā‘ili (CLC-M).
The center features a unique learning environment in which eight organizations are co-located in the same facility, offering an unprecedented level of collaboration and opportunity to develop a professional learning community among teachers and staff at the facility.
Since opening on August 4 – just over 10 months since the groundbreaking was held – teachers have already begun to collaborate and learn from one another.
KS preschool teacher Janeen Ralar shared her excitement in working in a new space and the many opportunities it opens.
“It’s been inspiring to observe the other classrooms and how they set up their environments,” said Ralar. “It’s nice to share ideas and gain a new perspective on things that I have been doing for years.
“We have all been very mindful of one another and flexible with our many different schedules and needs. I look forward to getting to know our neighbors better and learning new way to enhance our classroom.”
The Preschool Complex is made up of 12 classrooms, which can support 245 preschool seats for 3- and 4-year-olds. The Infant and Toddler Center has four classrooms and a total of 32 seats for the programs operated there.
The third part of the Early Learning Complex is the Early Learning Kauhale, which is scheduled to open in December.
The kauhale will provide operational, office and meeting spaces for early learning organizations that have long served the Wai‘anae Coast. A public grand opening event and preschool readiness day is being planned for the spring.
The Early Learning Complex has a footprint of around 10.28 acres of the 40 acre CLC-M site. The complex was designed to:
- Increase the number of preschool seats on the Wai‘anae Coast (which it has by 20%)
- Provide learning opportunities and resources to families with young children
- Create a hub where early childhood organizations can work in close proximity to better serve Wai‘anae Coast keiki and families
The facility was built in collaboration with the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands.
For more information on CLC-M, visit the Ka Pua Initiative website.
Watch a quick video recap of the event below:
KS’ Community Learning Center at Mā‘ili
In addition to a KS preschool program, seven other early learning organizations are housed at the center. They include:
Pūnana Leo o Wai‘anae
Wai‘anae Coast Early Childhood Services
Keiki O Ka ‘Āina Family Learning Center
The Partners in Development Foundation
The H-CAP Head Start program
The INPEACE Keiki Steps program
PACT Early Headstart program
The Ka Pua Initiative team helps ensure that Wai‘anae Coast keiki are connected to place, supported in their learning, and succeeding as tomorrow’s local and global leaders.
Kalei Kailihiwa (center) leads a tour of the Early Learning Kauhale for KS and community leaders.
HHCAP-Head Start, PIDF-Ka Pa‘alana and KS preschool keiki sing “Eia Mākou, Pauahi Pauahi” for open house guests.
CLC-M manager Paula-Ann Burgess pals around with with Natasha Lopes from PACT-Early Head Start.
KS preschool teacher Mary Lynn Kalei and Ka Pua Director of Early Childhood Strategies Nicole Souza celebrate the successful opening.
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ka pua,special event,cbece,preschools
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Kaipuolono Article, Newsroom, Community Education
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