WIZO’s Early Childhood Division Opens the 2025–26 School Year with Growth, Renewal, and Resilience

WIZO’s Early Childhood Division has officially opened the 2025–26 school year, welcoming nearly 9,000 children in 161 daycare centers across Israel. Despite the many challenges of the past year, WIZO worked tirelessly to ensure stable, high-quality educational frameworks for children and families.

Throughout the registration process, parents received close guidance and personal support. WIZO launched a dedicated call center, led community and national campaigns, and stood by families every step of the way. Thanks to the collaboration of staff and directors from across the country, we are entering this new year prepared, energized, and ready to welcome additional children in the coming months.

A New Daycare in Atlit

This year, we are especially proud to inaugurate a new daycare center in Atlit, the first supervised and structured early childhood framework in the town for many years. Established in partnership with the Hof HaCarmel Regional Council and under the supervision of the Ministry of Education, the center provides high-quality care for young families in the area.

Built as a true community hub, the daycare combines educational and therapeutic activities with initiatives that strengthen family connections—such as shared holiday celebrations, afternoon activities, and the planned establishment of a community garden. The staff includes both Jewish and Druze caregivers, embodying WIZO’s values of partnership and intercommunal connection.

Rebuilding After the War

At the same time, WIZO faced the urgent challenge of restoring daycare centers damaged during the war with Iran, “Operation Am Kalavi.” Several centers—in Holon, Rehovot, Tel Aviv, and Be’er Sheva—were severely damaged and had to close temporarily. To ensure continuity for the children, WIZO quickly arranged for temporary classrooms in nearby centers while leading an accelerated process of renovation and re-equipping.

A moving example of this recovery is the reopening of Neve Ze’ev Daycare Center in Be’er Sheva. The building sustained a direct hit during the war, but within a few short months it underwent comprehensive renovation, received new equipment, and reopened with three classrooms and an upgraded learning environment. During the closure, children were integrated into other local centers to maintain their routine. Now, under the leadership of a new director, Rivka Alemio—a graduate of WIZO’s academic training program—the center once again offers a safe, warm, and professional setting. For the local community, this reopening is not only an educational solution but also a powerful symbol of resilience and renewal.

A Year of Mission and Commitment

The rehabilitation of damaged centers reflects WIZO’s unwavering commitment to early childhood education, even in times of crisis. Investments in staff, facilities, and equipment—alongside a rapid return to routine—ensure that children have a stable and safe environment, and parents feel the daycare is a true anchor in uncertain times.

We begin this school year with a profound sense of mission and responsibility. Despite national and daily challenges, WIZO continues to expand its daycare network, develop innovative community-based models, invest in professional teams, and provide families with safe, high-quality education.

None of this would be possible without the support of our global federations. Together, we are giving every child the best possible start in life—and strengthening Israeli society by caring for its youngest generation.