early-childhood Early Childhood

Improving the quality of care for infants and preschool children from lower socio-economic backgrounds and high-risk populations

Yad Hanadiv’s Early Childhood Programme is grounded in the understanding that the first years of life have a profound impact on children’s cognitive, emotional and social development. Investment in these early years supports their developmental potential and overall well-being, helps narrow gaps and promotes equal opportunity. Despite growing awareness of the need to improve early developmental conditions and reduce disparities, the system currently does not provide the means for all children to thrive. In addition, war has exposed many to stress and trauma, placing more children at heightened risk. The Early Childhood Programme spans the period from pregnancy to age six, with a particular focus on infancy to age three. It operates across three main arenas: 1) Developing, implementing and supporting scalable, evidence-based initiatives that foster positive interactions between young children and adults, with an emphasis on language and communication, curiosity and learning, and social and emotional development; 2) Strengthening the early childhood field via data infrastructure, applied research, professional organisations and public systems; improving coordination and collaboration among stakeholders; and encouraging innovation and entrepreneurship; and 3) Promoting tailored, adequately funded government policy to enable systematic and sustained investment.
150+ Partners in collective impact initiative
1000+ Well-Baby Clinics
5 Municipalities and organisations improving quality of educare
3 Initiatives under Resheet

Major Initiatives

04
Initiative

Well-Baby Clinics

Enabling WBCs to provide parents with support, knowledge and tools that measurably improve their children’s development

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Initiative

Resheet

Knowledge sharing and innovation to improve early childhood development and well-being

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Initiative

Quality of Educare

Improving the quality of educare for every child from birth to age three, to optimize early childhood development and narrow gaps

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Initiative

Collective Impact

An innovative, cross-sector partnership designed to advance shared goals for the benefit of early childhood

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Our Team

Efrat Degani-Toperoff

Programme Director, Early Childhood

Efrat’s work focuses on early childhood development, especially among disadvantaged populations. She was Co-Founder and Chair of Bema’aglei Tzedek – an award-winning social justice organisation, and Co-Founder of the Good Neighbour Association and the Psifas Israeli Fund. She was a member of the late President Shimon Peres’ Youth Forum. Efrat graduated from the Mandel School for Educational Leadership and holds a BA in Talmud and an MA in Non-Profit Management from The Hebrew University. She joined Yad Hanadiv in 2012.
Efrat’s work focuses on early childhood development, especially among disadvantaged populations. She was Co-Founder and Chair of Bema’aglei Tzedek – an award-winning social justice organisation, and Co-Founder of the Good Neighbour Association and the Psifas Israeli Fund. She was a member of the late President Shimon Peres’ Youth Forum. Efrat graduated from the Mandel School for Educational Leadership and holds a BA in Talmud and an MA in Non-Profit Management from The Hebrew University. She joined Yad Hanadiv in 2012.

Yael Blitz Zisken

Senior Programme Officer, Early Childhood

Yael is Senior Programme Officer in the Early Childhood programme. She has over a decade of experience in developing social models and managing initiatives that include cross-sector partnerships, with nationwide implementation and integration into public policy. Prior to joining Yad Hanadiv, she served as Vice President at the Yedidut Toronto Foundation, where she headed the Public Policy Department and previously managed the Development and Strategic Planning Division. Yael also served as a Social Analyst at Midot and at Intel Capital. She holds an undergraduate degree in Economics and Business Administration from Bar-Ilan University and an MBA from The Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Additionally, she is a lecturer and consultant in the fields of development, strategy, and public policy, and is a Founding Member and Board Member of the Shefer non-profit. Yael joined Yad Hanadiv in 2024.
Yael is Senior Programme Officer in the Early Childhood programme. She has over a decade of experience in developing social models and managing initiatives that include cross-sector partnerships, with nationwide implementation and integration into public policy. Prior to joining Yad Hanadiv, she served as Vice President at the Yedidut Toronto Foundation, where she headed the Public Policy Department and previously managed the Development and Strategic Planning Division. Yael also served as a Social Analyst at Midot and at Intel Capital. She holds an undergraduate degree in Economics and Business Administration from Bar-Ilan University and an MBA from The Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Additionally, she is a lecturer and consultant in the fields of development, strategy, and public policy, and is a Founding Member and Board Member of the Shefer non-profit. Yael joined Yad Hanadiv in 2024.

Eda Lee Raday

Programme Officer, Early Childhood

Eda manages early childhood programmes at Yad Hanadiv. Prior to joining, she held various positions in the field working with diverse populations. Eda served as the National Director of home nurseries at the Israel Association of Community Centres, early childhood programmes coordinator in Bat Yam, pedagogical instructor at Talpiot College and facilitator of early childhood projects at the Israel Democracy Institute. In her most recent role, she was part of the management team at the Yehuda Tribitch Fund for Social Involvement as head of the departments of educational training and after-school childcare. The fund, which operates under Unitaf, provides professional, educational and social support for children of asylum seekers and immigrants in south Tel Aviv. Eda holds a BA in Political Science and Art History from The Hebrew University, a teaching diploma specializing in early childhood from the Chofen Institute at David Yellin College and an MA in Early Childhood Studies from the Schwartz Programme at The Hebrew University. She joined Yad Hanadiv in 2021.
Eda manages early childhood programmes at Yad Hanadiv. Prior to joining, she held various positions in the field working with diverse populations. Eda served as the National Director of home nurseries at the Israel Association of Community Centres, early childhood programmes coordinator in Bat Yam, pedagogical instructor at Talpiot College and facilitator of early childhood projects at the Israel Democracy Institute. In her most recent role, she was part of the management team at the Yehuda Tribitch Fund for Social Involvement as head of the departments of educational training and after-school childcare. The fund, which operates under Unitaf, provides professional, educational and social support for children of asylum seekers and immigrants in south Tel Aviv. Eda holds a BA in Political Science and Art History from The Hebrew University, a teaching diploma specializing in early childhood from the Chofen Institute at David Yellin College and an MA in Early Childhood Studies from the Schwartz Programme at The Hebrew University. She joined Yad Hanadiv in 2021.

Gitit Nachmany

Early Childhood Programme Coordinator

Gitit is the Coordinator for the Early Childhood Programme, interfacing with partners and organising gatherings and events. Before joining the Foundation in 2020, she headed the Office of the Minister of Labour, Social Affairs and Social Services. Before that, she worked at the Office of the Chair of Keren Kayemeth LeIsrael – Jewish National Fund. She served in the IDF in Headquarters of the Central Command. Gitit holds a BA in Education from The Hebrew University.
Gitit is the Coordinator for the Early Childhood Programme, interfacing with partners and organising gatherings and events. Before joining the Foundation in 2020, she headed the Office of the Minister of Labour, Social Affairs and Social Services. Before that, she worked at the Office of the Chair of Keren Kayemeth LeIsrael – Jewish National Fund. She served in the IDF in Headquarters of the Central Command. Gitit holds a BA in Education from The Hebrew University.

Michal Levi

Grant Ops Coordinator, Academic Excellence & Early Childhood

Michal coordinates the activity of the Grant Operations in the Academic Excellence & Early Childhood Programmes. Before joining Yad Hanadiv in 2016, Michal was employed as the Personal Assistant to the CEO at the New Israel Fund and previously as Personal Assistant to the Director at the SHEKEL Trauma Treatment Centre for individuals with special needs. She holds a degree in Interior Design from the Holon Institute of Technology. Michal served in the IDF as a Social Worker.
Michal coordinates the activity of the Grant Operations in the Academic Excellence & Early Childhood Programmes. Before joining Yad Hanadiv in 2016, Michal was employed as the Personal Assistant to the CEO at the New Israel Fund and previously as Personal Assistant to the Director at the SHEKEL Trauma Treatment Centre for individuals with special needs. She holds a degree in Interior Design from the Holon Institute of Technology. Michal served in the IDF as a Social Worker.
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