Go Go Going To Gan - What to expect from an Israeli Preschool

You have all just been given the most amazing gift .... an opportunity  to learn from Morah Pam Machefsky.  Pam is well respected with genius intuition and educated advice on raising children.   I am personally grateful  that many years ago Pam gave me a professional opportunity in curriculum development that would have not happened without her support and guidance.  Pam has served as the director of many schools and educational programs


.As a retired Early Childhood educator, I was eager to see my Israeli grandson Yair's nursery school (Gan) when we made aliyah two years ago. From our many visits to Israel as "tourists," I knew that the schools were not like their American counter-parts. However, now that I'm in his Gan frequently (responsible for  his morning drop-offs and afternoon pick-ups), I'm happy to say that the differences are not as "worrisome" as I anticipated.


One of the most obvious differences that a parent (or grandparent) will notice is the physical space itself. Just like our Israeli apartments and homes, the schools tend to be less spacious, with smaller classrooms and playgrounds. But there is much natural sunlight in these spaces, so they are bright and cheery. Take a look around; see how creative the teaching staff is at defining "learning centers," the different areas where children spend time with hands-on work and play opportunities. I marvel at the way the seating benches used for the morning prayers transform into roadways for toy cars, art stations, and puzzle table tops at Yair's Gan.


Another difference that you'll notice right away is class size. It's not unusual to have 35 children in a space that would be used for 12 children in the States! When we brought Yair for his first day at his "dati" Gan, we saw 34 other boys and three adults. As we left, my husband said, "I feel like we just left him at gladiator school! We should have given him a shield and a net instead of a backpack!" Once again, our fears were ungrounded;--Yair loves his Gan and his teachers and never complains about the other boys. In fact, he has many friends and afternoon play dates with boys from the class. He has become fluent in Hebrew in one school year (we speak only English at home, as does our daughter's family), and he delights in translating for me when I get "stuck" at the market.


Israeli teachers and American teachers are both underpaid and overworked, but here in Israel, assistant teachers often do the janitorial work after school is dismissed. Assistants are usually not college graduates, while the Head Teacher ("ganenet"), will probably have a degree or certificate from an education school. Requirements vary from town to town, but there are standards set by the government which all schools must meet. Since all qualifying schools, religious or secular, are funded by the State, one of the most pleasant differences that you will notice is the absence of an expensive tuition bill! Our children do pay a monthly fee for Gan, but it's less than 200 shekels--a nice fit for their budget.


We American parents and grandparents can make a big contribution to our children's education here in Israel, and I don't mean only financially! Here are a few suggestions of ways you can support your  school:

• Volunteer to 'work' in the classroom if your language skills are adequate. Maybe you play an instrument, have an easy cookie recipe, or like to make puppets from old socks! If your Hebrew is not school-ready yet, offer to take photographs and print them out for the teachers. 
• Ask if there is a "wish list" of freebies that the school can use. Yair's Gan accepts clean boxes of any sort, which the children use for cutting and collaging, building cities, and gluing together. I send in a box every day, and the staff especially enjoys the American products' boxes.
• Lend the school any appropriate music CD's or books that you may have. As a retired teacher, I came with a ton of stuff, all for sharing.
• Look for affordable items which would be welcome additions at Jewish holidays' time. I found carob and dried fruits on sale at the Supersol, and the teachers were really grateful for that small gift--it was an enrichment that didn't have to come from their own pockets!
• If you have a car, offer the staff members a ride home. (Especially helpful in rainy weather).
• Small gifts to teachers at Chanukah and the end of the year are truly appreciated.
• Consider giving the class a present for your child's birthday. Depending on the gift (you can ask the ganenet if there's something the class could use), you can spend a little or a lot--but any present will be gratefully received.

Last, but not least, don't forget to pack a sandwich for the "ten o'clock meal"--a hearty version of juice and crackers! Now, watch your children--or grandchildren--grow and thrive in Eretz Israel! B'hatzlachah!   Pam  pmachefsky@gmail.com