Mercaz Beth Jacob
P.O.B. 6033 91060 JERUSALEM Israel

A Kindergarten Centre for Charedi Children

Since: 2006

Region: Jerusalem

Objective: To decrease the incidence of developmental delays and difficulties among young Chareidi children, and the social stigma associated with delays, addressing both the importance of early detection and inclusive attitudes.

Young children in Chareidi (Ultra-Orthodox) communities live in relatively self-contained social worlds, with a separate system of education. Within this system, the Mercaz Beth Jacob network of teacher training institutions spread around Israel enjoy a high reputation for the quality of education they provide.

One such institution in Jerusalem will set up a multidisciplinary early childhood centre - or a kindergarten centre for short -- that strives to provide an optimally stimulating environment for young children, with 'corners' for music, literature, drama, science and maths.

Children and teachers in the many Chareidi kindergartens around Jerusalem that are under-resourced both in terms of materials and ideas will be invited to visit the 'kindergarten centre' for a day several times a year, so that they can be exposed to this high-quality setting and return inspired and stimulated to enrich their routine environments.

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