The Knesset is pushing for the creation of a national authority under the Education Ministry to centralize the oversight of daycare centers, prompted by the recent tragedy in Jerusalem that claimed the lives of two children, Leah and Aharon.
The proposed bill aims to establish the Early Childhood Authority, a new government body within the ministry. This authority will centralize, for the first time, all responsibilities related to children from birth to age three, including supervision, policies, and regulations.
The bill, discussed on Monday in the Knesset’s Education Committee, states that the authority will not be an entirely independent body. Instead, it will function within the Education Ministry, directly answering to the Education Minister. The authority will manage all governmental responsibilities concerning daycare centers, including supervision, licensing, subsidies, and professional policy.
This step aims to create an educational continuum from birth through completion of the education system, emphasizing that early childhood is a vital part of the education system, rather than merely a service for working parents.
End to the splitting of powers?
Until 2022, daycare centers and their supervision were under the Labor and Social Affairs Ministry, per a government decision.
The responsibility was later transferred to the Education Ministry, and now, there is a push to solidify this change in law by establishing a dedicated authority within the ministry. The new authority would serve as the field's professional and regulatory arm.
The proposed authority will be responsible for licensing and overseeing early childhood frameworks. It will also establish professional standards and provide staff training to ensure consistency and quality.
In addition, the authority will manage the subsidy system and develop a multi-year national policy to support the sector. It will collect data and create a knowledge and research center to improve understanding and decision-making.
Finally, the authority will coordinate efforts between government ministries and local authorities to ensure a unified approach to early childhood education.
The bill’s initiators, MK Yinon Azoulay and MK Yosef Tayeb, proposed that the authority will be managed by a dedicated director, supported by a multi-ministerial professional council.
This council will include government representatives, local authorities, and professionals. However, ultimate authority will remain with the Education Minister.
Supporters of the bill argue that establishing a dedicated authority within the Education Ministry will strengthen supervision, ensure professional consistency, and improve the quality of early childhood frameworks.