Sderot’s Early Childhood Center-General Information

Last Update:10.10.2010

The State of Israel seldom invests resources in children at risk from an early age (from birth to age 6). In the words of Ehud Olmert, former prime minister, "This is how poverty spreads in Israel." According to a World Bank study, one dollar spent on early childhood care is equal to an investment of seven dollars at a later stage.

Sderot is home to 1,800 preschool children. Of which, 10% suffer from developmental and/or environmental delays, and an additional 17% suffer from communication and language deficits. Over the years, the geographical remoteness of the city and limited awareness made it difficult for children to receive early childhood services in Sderot.

In 2000, the Gvanim Association founded the Early Childhood Center in Sderot. The Center operates on an annual budget of approximately 2,000,000 NIS. In the absence of institutional funding (beyond the partial funding of the healthcare providers for paramedical treatments), Gvanim is responsible for raising 80% of the operating budget each year.

At the beginning of 2010, Gvanim launched the "Open House", a comprehensive, innovative center for early childhood in Sderot in partnership with WIZO. The "Open House" offers enrichment and guidance programs for children, parents, and professionals in the field.

The Early Childhood Center in Sderot operates the following programs: the Paramedical Treatment Unit, The Birth to Parenting Center, programs for language enrichment in preschool, “From Risk to Opportunity”,  “Home Guidance”, “Safe Passage” in partnership with the Dorot Center, “Parents’ Place”, the enrichment playroom, and the "Open House".

Gvanim is leading the Regional Development Program for Early Childhood, which is being built in partnership with the municipalities of Sderot, Netivot, Sha’ar Hanegev, and Sdot Negev.

The Early Childhood Center acts as the local early childhood unit for the educational department of the Municipality of Sderot. The Early Childhood Center’s policies are mandated by a local steering committee. Representatives participate in the committee from a variety of different local institutions including: the education and welfare departments in the Municipality of Sderot, the Community Center, the Ministry of Construction & Housing – Project Renewal, the Ministry of Health – baby & child wellness clinics, the Ministry of Welfare – child and youth services, the Ministry of Education, Ashalim, and foundation representatives.

The Early Childhood Center established a forum of childhood development units in order to raise the public awareness and increase governmental support. Fourteen childhood development units from the Southern region of Israel have joined the Forum.

Gvanim thanks its program partners: WIZO, Center for Psychological Services in Sha’ar Hanegev – the Childhood Development Unit, the Ministry of Health, The Barzilai Medical Center in Ashkelon, healthcare providers, the Municipality of Sderot – education and welfare departments, the Sderot Community Center, the Municipality of Netivot, the Regional Councils of Sha’ar Hanegev and Sdot Negev, Reuth, the Israel Center for the Treatment of Psychotrauma, the Schusterman Foundation – Israel, JDC Israel, Ashalim, the Board of Israel – the Netherlands, the Boxenbaum-Neta Charity Foundation, and other foundations.

Dear Parents – WIZO extends its hands – offering a national hotline for parents and preschool children. For more information…