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Health Services in Preschool and School
Children spend a large portion of their time in preschool and school in years that are critical to their physical, cognitive, and social development. As part of the school year, certain activities are conducted to promote health and prevent diseases, to identify common health problems, and to educate on a healthy lifestyle.
In school, health services are provided from first to ninth grade. Most of the activities are the responsibility of the regular nurse, who is an integral part of the school staff.
Health care in preschool
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1Keeping Your Teeth Healthy
Practical instruction on brushing teeth and applying fluoride varnish to prevent cavities.
More information on dental check-ups and cavity prevention in preschool
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2Vision Screenings
The photoscreening test detects risk factors for "lazy eye," such as strabismus or differences in visual acuity between the eyes. It is conducted for children ages 3–4 (preschool) using a child-friendly photoscreener—a scanning device similar to a camera that examines the eyes from a distance without physical contact.
Contacting the school health staff
Health care for students in Israel are provided by different suppliers. To contact the school nurse, you can contact the school secretariat or call the institution that oversees them, according to the place of residence:
Health care in school
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1Screening Tests for Vision, Hearing, and Growth Assessment
Throughout the school years, screening tests are conducted to identify students who may have health issues or conditions that could affect their daily functioning and academic performance. The goal is to inform parents and refer them for further care if needed.
These are the screenings performed in educational institutions:
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2Dental Checkups, Instruction, and Cavity Prevention Actions
Maintaining oral health is very important during childhood. In schools, annual dental checkups are conducted, and if necessary, parents are advised to visit a dental clinic. Additionally, experiential learning about maintaining oral and dental health is held in schools using the "Shenli" educational program, along with the annual distribution of toothbrushes and toothpaste.
Learn more about dental checkups and cavity prevention in school and kindergarten
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3Providing Vaccinations According to the Routine Vaccination Schedule
Vaccinations are the most effective and safest way we have to protect against infectious diseases that can be severe and dangerous. Students receive booster doses ("booster shots") of vaccines they received previously at the well-baby clinic, as well as additional vaccines (against the flu and the human papillomavirus). The school nurse is responsible for administering the vaccines.
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4Health education and promotion
Health education lessons aim to provide students with up-to-date professional information about maintaining an active and healthy lifestyle and preventing risky behaviors. Each class is entitled to one lesson per year on various topics, depending on age: nutrition, physical activity, personal hygiene, smoking and addiction prevention, reducing screen time, violence prevention, and more. The lessons are taught by the school nurse.
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5Counciling and guidance on maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
As part of the growth assessment conducted at school, the school nurse is responsible for providing guidance and support to the educational staff, students, and parents on maintaining a healthy lifestyle and preventing diseases. The counseling is not individualized, and if necessary, they will refer parents to relevant medical professionals.
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6Training for educational staff to respond to special health situations.
The educational staff will receive training on how to assist students in special situations, such as allergies, epilepsy, diabetes, asthma, and other chronic diseases, as well as training on providing first aid, such as using an epinephrine auto-injector.
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7Initiating, implementing, and participating in health promotion programs
The school nurse, together with the educational staff, is responsible for developing school-based health promotion programs and organizing special health days at the school (called "highlight days"), with various stations and activities focused on a selected topic.
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8First aid
First aid services for students are the responsibility of the Ministry of Education. In case of injury or harm that occurs during school hours or during an official school or kindergarten activity, initial medical treatment will be provided by a medic or healthcare provider from Magen David Adom (MDA) (hotline 2326*).
By law, educational institutions and public places are required to have an epinephrine syringe available in case of an emergency.
For more information on first aid services in educational institutions
Completion of the health declaration in the beginning of the year
In the beginning of every school year, the Ministry of Education sends parents a request to complete a ‘health declaration.' The declaration provides important information about the state of your child’s health, for example information on chronic diseases, regular medications, allergies, and so on. It allows the school to help the schoolchildren where necessary. For example, in the case of a food allergy, the introduction of specific food into the classroom or school will be restricted. Schoolchildren with a vision or hearing impairment – will be seated in the first rows, near the teacher. With regards to chronic diseases such as epilepsy or diabetes, schoolchildren can always receive assistance depending on their needs. The health declaration is also the place to mention any restrictions regarding certain activities such as screening tests or vaccinations.
The form may be completed manually or online by logging into the Ministry of Education portal with the parent’s ID number. For more information about health services for schoolchildren, contact the school secretary to request the contact details of the school nurse. Information can also be obtained from the nurses’ hotline that is part of the Ministry of Health Hotline *5400.
Health activities in preschool and school by grade level
Vision Screening "Photoscreening" to Identify Risk Factors for Lazy Eye.
Practical training in brushing teeth and applying fluoride varnish to prevent tooth decay.
Practical training in brushing teeth and applying fluoride varnish to prevent tooth decay.
Screening test to detect vision impairments to enable early treatment.
Screening test to detect hearing impairments to enable early treatment.
Measuring height and weight and calculating BMI to ensure they are within the normal growth range.
Dental checkup and experiential learning on maintaining dental health.
Health education lessons providing professional information on active and healthy lifestyles and risk prevention.
Dental checkup and experiential learning on maintaining dental health.
Health education lessons providing professional information on active and healthy lifestyles and risk prevention.
Dental checkup and experiential learning on maintaining dental health.
Health education lessons providing professional information on active and healthy lifestyles and risk prevention.
Dental checkup and experiential learning on maintaining dental health.
Health education lessons providing professional information on active and healthy lifestyles and risk prevention.
Dental checkup and experiential learning on maintaining dental health.
Health education lessons providing professional information on active and healthy lifestyles and risk prevention.
Dental checkup and experiential learning on maintaining dental health.
Health education lessons providing professional information on active and healthy lifestyles and risk prevention.
Dental checkup and experiential learning on maintaining dental health.
Health education lessons providing professional information on active and healthy lifestyles and risk prevention.
Combined vaccine against tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (Tdap)
HPV vaccine (2 doses)***
Vision screening to detect impairments for timely treatment.
Health education lessons provide professional information on an active, healthy lifestyle and risk prevention.
Health education lessons provide professional information on an active, healthy lifestyle and risk prevention.
* In the southern and northern districts, the vaccine may be given in first grade instead of second grade.
** In special education, the flu vaccine is given to students in grades 1–6.
*** In the southern, central, Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, Haifa, and northern districts (excluding the Safed subdistrict), the first dose is given in seventh grade.
For dental exams, contact the school office to get the details of the examining provider.
For vision screening services in preschools, contact Milgam:
- Sunday–Thursday, 8:00 AM–5:00 PM, Friday, 9:00 AM–12:00 PM
- Phone: 073-2088430
- Email: sight@milgam.co.il
Health Recommendations for Children and Teens
Keeping children healthy goes beyond vaccinations, check-ups, and emergency care. Many aspects of their well-being are important to understand in depth to help create and maintain a healthy lifestyle for the younger generation in your family: