The outdoors contain a wealth of opportunities for learning, creativity, and exploration, according to Imua Family Services. Preschool Director Lyn Constantino leads students from Imua Inclusion Preschool in putting to paper what they’ve observed in nature. Imua Family Services is aiming to open a second preschool in January to help children affected by the wildfires. Imua Family Services photo

The Maui News

Imua Family Services is aiming to open a preschool in January for children affected by the wildfires.

Currently the final stages of the temporary preschool permit and staffing are being put into place, the nonprofit announced on Monday. They hope to get the preschool running on Jan. 22.

The Imua Inclusion Preschool will be at Will Imua Discovery Garden in Wailuku and is being set up to accommodate children who have been affected by the fires and relocated to Central Maui or whose parents are commuting to the area, according to a news release.

Imua Family Services said soon after the fires it began “pursuing the ways and means to open a preschool,” in Wailuku. They already have a facility in Kahului. 

It is only due to the foresight included in Mayor Bissen’s Emergency Proclamation that Imua is able to temporarily move forward with its outdoor preschool concept while its new preschool building is being completed and made operational, the news release said.

The nonprofit is encouraging families impacted and displaced by the wildfires to initiate the application process. Families applying for a space at Imua’s new preschool location will not be charged an application fee, and the cost of preschool tuition will be supported by grants and community funding which will also enable the agency to provide crisis intervention counseling and support to the children and their families, the news release said.

For families interested in applying, should visit www.discoverimua.com/preschool.

The organization is also seeking qualified and caring early childhood educators interested in working at the new preschool location. See https://discoverimua.com/