Early Childhood Education in Israel: Improving Preschool Quality Monica Winokur ECEC Session OECD Seminar - Caesarea November 2011 State of Israel Ministry of Education Pedagogic Administration Preschool Education Division

Preschool Education in Israel Preschool Classrooms = 13,000 Preschool Children 3-6 = 388,000

Vision High quality education and care accessible to all young children, enhancing development and providing equal opportunities for learning; leading to purposeful and fulfilling lives for each individual and for society as a whole.

Challenges Demography: waves of newcomers - immigration different ethnic groups diverse orthodox religious affiliations Hostilities: wars, constant missile and terror attacks Split ministerial responsibility 3 Ministries in charge of ECEC 0 -3

Establish a national curriculum Improve teaching workforce Implement the “New Horizon” preschool educational reform Provide access to free preschool from age 3 Integrate early childhood education 0-6 Mission

Core curriculum programs Preschool Educational Practice Guidelines Curricular support materials Activities to broaden children’s experiences Curriculum Tools to monitor children’s participation and progress Early childhood intervention programs

Partnerships with families and communities

Provide a longer school day Restructure teaching\learning models Involve parents and communities Require on-going workforce training Raise teachers’ salary “New Horizon” Preschool Reform

Only qualified kindergarten teachers are heads of staff Continual improvement of workforce through participation in OJT courses devised and implemented by the Ministry Pedagogical Trainers help teachers develop and implement pedagogical processes and curriculum Preschool Education Supervisors are in charge of evaluation Improve teaching workforce

Compulsory free preschool education is determined by law for all children aged 5 Until now it includes 3 and 4 years old in defined low socio-economic areas comprising 47% of preschoolers that age Next school year all 3-4 children will access free compulsory education Free Preschool Education

Recommendation – ECEC 0-6 under the Ministry of Education Planning and Implementation of the transition – Preschool Division Integration of ECEC 0-6

Preschool Education in Israel

Core curriculum programs

Preschool Education Practice Guidelines

Curricular support materials

Activities to broaden children experience

Mabatim - systematic observation of children in their preschool environment

MA’AGAN program A multidisciplinary early intervention program intended to address special needs of young children, within their educational settings, in order to ensure their optimal participation in the wide range of proposed activities. Children are referred for treatment by specialized practitioners when considered necessary

Preschool Education Practice Guidelines Emphasis on quality interactions leading to optimal preschool climate: a social-educational environment that is safe, supportive, equalitarian and provides children with a sense of security to explore and actively learn, fostering their personal development.