Childcare teachers, assistant teachers and aides all need to undergo criminal background checks and a review of whether they have been investigated for child abuse or neglect.

Violent felony convictions and confirmed incidents of child abuse or neglect would bar an applicant for life, according to Garry Kemp, assistant administrator for the state Department of Human Services. Other felony convictions, such as nonviolent drug crimes, would bar an applicant for five years after the conviction, Kemp said.

Misdemeanor convictions are subject to review.

"We're looking for patterns of behavior that could potentially be harmful to children," Kemp said.

Childcare aides would then need to undergo orientation from their employer to be eligible to work. Assistant teachers need an additional Child Development Associate certificate — requiring nine college credits or 180 hours of community-based training — and six months of experience.

Teachers need both the CDA certificate and one year of experience.

In response to Hawai'i's childcare teacher shortage, the Department of Human Services in November began allowing aides and assistant teachers to move up to the next level if they have an approved plan to continue their training or education, said Lillian Koller, DHS director.

Since then, all 53 people who have applied for a waiver have been approved, Koller said.

"Even though our requirements are quite low, compared to, say, being a kindergarten teacher in (the Department of Education), it was difficult to find qualified people to take those jobs," Koller said. "Now we have 53 more preschool teachers (statewide) than prior to November 2005."

Reach Dan Nakaso at dnakaso@honoluluadvertiser.com.