Questions and Answers on Registration for Preschools

Registration for schools and preschools, in accordance with the Compulsory Education Law, for the 5787 school year will begin on Monday, January 19, 2026, and will continue until Sunday, February 8, 2026.

Who is eligible?

All children born in the years 2021–2023.

Age 3: Children born between January 1, 2023 and December 31, 2023

Age 4: Children born between January 1, 2022 and December 31, 2022

Age 5: Children born between January 1, 2021 and December 31, 2021

First grade: Children born between January 1, 2020 and December 31, 2020

 

Who needs to register?

All children residing in Efrat who were born between 2020 and 2023.

How do you register?

A link to the registration system will appear on the council’s website homepage throughout the registration period.

Topics covered in this document include registration and placement, special education, after-school programs, transportation, and Mechina kindergartens.

My child attended a preschool this year. Do I need to register again?

Yes. All children who are currently enrolled in the preschool system must register again. Children who attended kindergarten this year must register for school.

My child turns three shortly after the beginning of 2024 and is ready for preschool. Can I register them?

As of the 5781 school year, children who have not yet turned three may not be registered, in accordance with the Compulsory Education Law. Therefore, children born after January 1, 2024 may not be registered.

Can I choose which preschool my child will attend?

Registration is based on age and neighborhood. It is not possible to choose a specific preschool or teacher. Placement decisions are made by the Ministry of Education according to their criteria and in coordination with the council.

I tried to register online, but my child is not listed as a resident. What should we do?

New residents or non-residents are sometimes not yet updated as Efrat residents in the Ministry of Interior system. In such cases, registration should be completed via the non-resident link, and an ID appendix showing Efrat residency must be attached.

We are not yet residents of Efrat but would like to register for preschools. Is this possible?

Yes. You may register as non-residents, but you must attach confirmation of deregistration from your previous authority and an ID appendix with an updated Efrat address. If you have not yet moved to Efrat but plan to do so before the school year begins, you must provide an updated ID appendix during the month of August.

We are considering keeping our child in kindergarten for an additional year before first grade. What should we do?

If you are considering keeping your child in kindergarten for an additional year, even though they are eligible for first grade, you must register the child for school and also complete a request form for remaining an additional year in kindergarten. Following submission, a committee will review the request and determine eligibility.

We are trying to register for preschools, but the system only allows options outside our neighborhood. Why?

If you have moved within Efrat, you must update your address and send a copy of the updated ID appendix to the Education Department. Without an updated appendix, the council may place the child in a preschool near the address listed on the ID.

We missed the registration deadline. Can we still register?

A late registration form may be submitted at the council. Preference will be given to placement within the neighborhood, but priority will be given to those who registered on time.

How is preschool placement determined?

We aim to place children in preschools close to their place of residence, based on the address listed on the ID. If this is not the child’s first year in preschool, we try to place them with peers from the previous year.

When is placement published?

Placements are published during the first half of August.

Can placement decisions be appealed?

Yes. After placement is published, an appeals period is opened. Following this period, a committee consisting of council representatives, the Education Department, and a residents’ representative reviews each appeal individually.

How are placement results communicated for regular and special education?

Responses are sent by email to the address provided during registration.

Why do preschools have up to 35 children? Why are class sizes not reduced?

The Ministry of Education sets the standards for public preschools. Based on the number of children in the authority, the number of buildings, teachers, assistants, and other resources is determined. The council cannot operate the preschool system independently without Ministry of Education support.

I am interested in homeschooling my child. What should I do?

You must contact the Compulsory Attendance Officer at [kabas@efrat.muni.il](mailto:kabas@efrat.muni.il).

Please note that under the Compulsory Education Law, all children aged three and older must be enrolled in an educational framework. Until official approval for homeschooling is granted, the child must be registered and attend a recognized educational institution.

Why are there mixed-age preschools?

Mixed-age preschools are based on pedagogical approaches developed in cooperation with the Ministry of Education. Some approaches encourage mixed ages to provide a richer social-emotional environment, promoting positive interaction and learning between younger and older children. The opposite approach emphasizes chronological age and cognitive uniformity. Both approaches are valid and appropriate in Efrat. Ultimately, the preschool composition is determined by the age distribution within each neighborhood.

If we still have unanswered questions or registration issues, whom should we contact?

You may email [hinuh@efrat.muni.il](mailto:hinuh@efrat.muni.il).

Special Education

My child is in special education. Do they also need to register?

Yes. Children in special education must register every year like all other children.

We are waiting for a decision from the eligibility and characterization committee. Where should we register?

If you have not yet received a decision, you must register for a regular preschool according to your registration area. If eligibility for special education is approved, the council will place the child accordingly.

As we prepare to register our child for their first school year, how can we know if special education is needed?

If your child is in daycare, you may consult with the caregiver regarding general functioning, communication of needs, expressive abilities, and transitions between activities. It is also recommended to consult a developmental pediatrician. You may complete an online developmental questionnaire at the council’s website to help determine whether professional evaluation is needed.

If you believe your child may require special education placement, please contact the Special Education Coordinator at [hanam@efrat.muni.il](mailto:hanam@efrat.muni.il).

If I am not satisfied with a special education placement, can I appeal?

Yes. Appeals regarding special education preschool placement should be submitted through the Special Education Coordinator. Placement is based on the child’s educational needs and not on address or logistical convenience.

After-School Programs

If my child already attends an after-school program, do I need to register again?

Yes. In addition to registering on the council website, you must also register on the community center website. Registration for preschool does not automatically include after-school programs. After-school placement is determined according to final preschool placement.

Transportation

Do I need to register for transportation for regional education frameworks, including special education and Orot Etzion Mechina programs?

Yes. Transportation registration dates will be published on the community website and app.

What qualifies for free transportation?

Eligibility is based on two main criteria: an officially recognized disability code and a distance of more than two kilometers from the home.

Mechina Kindergartens

What are Mechina kindergartens?

Mechina kindergartens are kindergarten-only frameworks affiliated with the Orot Etzion association. They include enhanced Torah studies and an additional staff member, with an extra fee paid to the association. Teachers are Ministry of Education employees, and assistants are provided by the council.

I would like to register my child for an Orot Etzion Mechina kindergarten. Where do I register?

Registration for Mechina kindergartens is also done through the council website. Mechina kindergartens are for kindergarten-age children only and are subject to availability. After registration, the list of interested children will be forwarded to the Orot Etzion association, which will carry out the final placement