Children in Arab society are enrolled in an ECEC framework for fewer years than Jewish children

The figure presents the number of years of enrollment in ECEC frameworks among Jews and Arabs. Most Jewish children (72%) attend ECEC frameworks for four years or more, which is a reflection of the high enrollment rates of Jews in frameworks for birth to age 3 and ages 3–6. In contrast, only a minority of Arab children (20%) are enrolled in ECEC frameworks for four years or more and most of them (43%) are enrolled for three years. The graph shows that the dispersion across the categories is greater among Arab children than among Jewish children. In other words, the vast majority of Jewish children enter an ECEC framework before age 3 while among Arab children the percentage is substantially lower.

Note: Data are based on the 2016 PIRLS exam measuring achievement in reading among Grade 4 students. In addition to measuring reading achievement, students’ parents answered questionnaires regarding their children’s participation in ECEC frameworks from birth to age 3 and from age 3 to 6.

Source: Hai Vaknin and Yossi Shavit, Taub Center | Data: PIRLS 2016

Enrollment in ECEC frameworks does not contribute to achievement in reading among Grade 4 students

The figure presents the average achievements in reading among Jewish and Arab children in Grade 4 by length of time spent in ECEC frameworks. Apart from the large gap overall between the achievements of Jews and Arabs in reading, it appears that average achievements do not improve greatly with more years spent in ECEC frameworks.

The quality of ECEC frameworks in Israel is fairly low relative to other developed countries (Vaknin, 2020). Low-quality ECEC frameworks do not contribute to the cognitive development of children and are even liable to hamper it. A study conducted by the Taub Center found that enrollment in an ECEC framework from birth to age 3 does not contribute to the reading achievements of children in primary school (Vaknin & Shavit, 2021), and this is likely due to their low quality.

Average achievement in reading according to number of years of preschool attendance and sector

Note: Data are based on the 2016 PIRLS exam measuring achievement in reading among Grade 4 students. In addition to measuring reading achievement, students’ parents answered questionnaires regarding their children’s participation in ECEC frameworks from birth to age 3 and from age 3 to 6.