WAILUKU >> A unique preschool program where children with disabilities will learn alongside mainstream kids is planned for Maui.

It will be one of the first inclusion preschools of its kind in the state, Imua Family Services Executive Director Dean Wong told the Maui News in a story Tuesday.

The preschool will be located at an early childhood center scheduled for completion in the spring. The program will include children 3 to 5 and benefit mainstream students by helping them learn about diversity, acceptance and compassion, Wong said.

“The children end up helping to teach each other,” he said.

Initial enrollment will include 24 children for the school year beginning in August. Tuition will be $850 a month.

The announcement came soon after voters rejected amending the state constitution to allow public money to pay for private preschool programs.

The timing, however, is only a coincidence because the preschool has been in the works for more than three years, Wong said.

Even though the measure failed, publicity about the importance of early childhood education was helpful, he added.