To reduce gaps: The new proposal for early childhood education up to age 3

The 'Beyadayim Tovot' partnership presented a proposal for a national program for education from birth to age 3, including reducing the number of toddlers in groups, increasing subsidies based on financial ability, and expanding government responsibility. The program is based on comparative research and was formulated with dozens of organizations. Its estimated cost is about NIS 12.2 billion, with a net economic benefit of about NIS 14.2 billion.

The 'Beyadayim Tovot - Headquarters for Investment in Early Childhood' partnership, led by the 121 organization, presented today (Sunday) a proposal for a national program for education from birth to age three. The proposal is based on comparative research of early childhood education systems in developed countries and a comprehensive examination of the situation in Israel, and was formulated in collaboration with dozens of organizations, professionals, and researchers. The program proposes a significant reduction in the number of toddlers per group: for ages 6-12 months, a ratio of one educator to three toddlers and a group of up to nine; for ages 12-24 months, one educator to six and a group of up to 12; and for ages 24-36 months, one educator to seven and a group of up to 14. Each group will have a lead educator with a bachelor's degree in early childhood education. Additionally, it is proposed to significantly increase state participation in the cost of frameworks through a subsidy mechanism based on financial ability, so that every family can choose a quality framework. The total budget per toddler will be about NIS 4,000 per month, with the average parent payment about NIS 2,000. The Ministry of Education will be responsible for policy and budgeting, and local authorities for the supply of frameworks. The current government investment in this age group stands at about NIS 2 billion per year, about 2% of the Ministry of Education budget. Full implementation would require an additional about NIS 8 billion per year, assuming about 342,000 toddlers participate. Also proposed is extending maternity leave to 26 weeks at a cost of about NIS 3.7 billion. A cost-benefit analysis by Numerics estimates a net economic benefit of about NIS 14.2 billion from increased parental participation in the labor market, increased future income of toddlers, and reduced crime.