Compulsory Education Law from Age 3: What Parents Need to Know
In 2018, Israel's Compulsory Education Law was extended to include children from age three. What does this mean in practice, how much does it cost, and what caregiver-to-child ratios are required?
What Does the Law Say?
Israel's Compulsory Education Law has existed since the 1950s, but until 2018 it applied only from age five (compulsory kindergarten) and age six (first grade). The amendment extended free education to age three, meaning every child is entitled to a state-funded compulsory kindergarten from that age.
What About Children Under Three?
For toddlers aged 0-3, the situation is different. These frameworks (daycares and toddler groups) are not part of compulsory education and are not free, but a government subsidy system exists based on income testing.
The subsidy level depends on family income and number of children. The Ministry of Social Affairs publishes updated subsidy tables each year. It is worth checking directly with the Social Services Bureau for your specific eligibility.
Child-to-Caregiver Ratios: What Is Required?
One topic parents do not always ask about is the child-to-caregiver ratio. It directly affects how much attention each child receives.
Daycares (Ministry of Social Affairs supervision):
| Age | Maximum permitted ratio |
|---|---|
| Up to 18 months | approx. 1 caregiver per 4-5 infants |
| 18 months to 3 years | approx. 1 caregiver per 6-7 children |
Compulsory education kindergartens (Ministry of Education, ages 3-6):
A standard class includes up to 35 children with a lead teacher and an assistant. Under various Ministry of Education programmes, smaller classes exist, but these are not the norm in every kindergarten.
Registration Timeline
In Tel Aviv, registration for compulsory kindergartens (ages 3-6) typically runs January-February. Tel Aviv Municipality sends notices to residents with registration details at the start of each year.
- Eligibility for a municipal kindergarten: every child residing within the local authority area
- Placement: usually by residential location (neighbourhood)
- Special requests (transfer to a kindergarten outside the neighbourhood): submitted separately and not guaranteed
To find a list of kindergartens near your home, including contact details for arranging a visit, you can use the TLV Parents map.
Find a Nearby Kindergarten
Over 400 kindergartens and daycares with contact details, addresses and current licence status.
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