As stated, this was a private framework that operated without a license to operate as required by law. The rest of the details of the incident are still being studied and examined by the authorized parties.
Under the direction of the Minister of Education, the Director General of the Ministry ordered the establishment of an inter-ministerial team, in cooperation with the police, local government, the prosecution, and other parties, to formulate a systemic plan for identifying, enforcing, and closing private frameworks operating in violation of the law, alongside strengthening control and supervision mechanisms.
It should be noted that the licensing, registration, and supervision process for early childhood frameworks began in 2022, with the transfer of responsibility for the field to the Ministry of Education, and since then the Ministry has been working to establish a nationwide supervision, enforcement, and regulation system.
The following are the data:
1. Early Childhood Budget Analysis: 2023–2026
The total budget allocated for early childhood across all budget items – including personnel quotas, training, professional development, and various activities (excluding construction budgets) – is presented below:
- 2023 Budget: 217.7 million NIS
- 2024 Budget: 211.6 million NIS
- 2025 Budget: 218.7 million NIS
- 2026 Budget: 220.2 million NIS
It should be noted that despite the war and the need for fiscal austerity, which led to broad cuts in government ministry operational budgets, the total base budget for early childhood was not affected. The data indicate stability and even a moderate increase in the total resources allocated to the system, while making internal adjustments such as strengthening the supervision system and transferring budgets to the Gafan (General Fund for Education) for process simplification purposes.
2. As of the 2025-2026 school year, 4,988 approved frameworks with operating licenses are operating in Israel
- Of these, 2,081 are recognized daycare centers and 2,907 are private daycare centers
- In the Central District, 333 recognized daycare centers and 750 private ones are operating
- In the Tel Aviv District, 268 recognized and 785 private ones
- In the Northern District, 502 recognized and 360 private ones
- In the Southern District, 417 recognized and 320 private ones
- In the Haifa District, 179 recognized and 450 private ones
- In the Jerusalem District, 382 recognized daycare centers and 242 private ones
3. In addition, there are currently 226 frameworks in the licensing process, of which 55 are recognized frameworks and 171 are private frameworks.
4. The national and district supervision and control system includes 59 supervisors and 13 advisors in national supervision, alongside 3 dedicated enforcement positions, 6 safety inspectors, and 2 dedicated positions for camera supervision.
5. As part of the enforcement activity against illegal frameworks, 470 frameworks have been transferred to the Enforcement Division for handling.
- Of these, 70 frameworks were closed after control work
- 30 frameworks were regulated and received operating licenses
- 20 institutions received closure orders that are under enforcement action with the police
- 80 frameworks are in warning procedures, of which 10 have already been imposed financial sanctions
- 270 daycare centers are in the stage of examination and information gathering for further action
The Ministry of Education will continue to operate in cooperation with all relevant parties to strengthen enforcement and ensure the operation of educational frameworks that meet the requirements of the law and supervision, in order to safeguard the welfare and safety of toddlers.