New Nursery Space for Young Children

Julian, just under 6 months old, is crying: It’s his first day in the nursery, and Latifa walks him up and down in a carrier attached to her chest, telling him everything will be okay. The breakfast dishes wait: Julian will remain in her arms until he falls asleep or his mother arrives, whichever comes first. Latifa is one of five staff plus a volunteer in the nursery, caring for 12-13 children aged 6 months to 3 years. The work is not easy, she says with a smile, and there are days she works from seven am to four pm (though most days she is off at two), cooking, cleaning and most of all, caring for young children.

This year is the first year the nursery has moved into a renovated, welcoming space next to the volunteer quarters. The rooms, which were formerly storerooms, were given to the nursery by the village society, and they include a roomy kitchen/eating area, a playroom full of books and toys, two bedrooms and a shaded outdoor play area. In addition to the children and grandchildren of village members, two children from Lod have joined the nursery this year, making it a larger group than in past years. Four are continuing children from last year; the rest are new to the nursery school.

The children are divided into three groups to make the care and education easier. Miriam, one of three leading staff in the nursery explains that the staff speak in their own native tongues to the children, asking for help in translating when needed. That way, by the time the kids move up to the Bustan – the kindergarten – they are fluent in both Arabic and Hebrew.

“The new space,” she says “is much better for the nursery. Not only are the rooms airy and welcoming for the children, but the location is also quieter and farther from traffic. So it is also safer for the children. And we have a statue with a fountain and sunflowers right next door to listen to and look at.”

As well as maintaining a daily schedule for the different groups of children and providing TLC, the staff is responsible for two meals a day and snacks, cleaning, and even laundry. The meals are planned together with a nutritionist (who is also a mother of one of the children) and they are entirely vegetarian.

Julian is starting to calm down as the rest of the children file back into the nursery play area from their weekly trip. Soon the older ones will eat a snack of apple slices in the little Sukkah set up in the corner. Voltaire, a retired outdoor nature teacher, takes the children on weekly cart trips around the village, so that by the time they get to the Bustan, they will be able to name every tree, bird and animal they see around them. “He is the nursery grandfather,” says Miriam.

The nursery is short-staffed on this day, and they have asked Julian’s mother to pick him up. Clearly it will take a day or two for him to adjust. But there is no tension or concern, and the children that need cuddling or explanations of the rules receive every bit of the attention they need. By lunch time, the breakfast dishes have been cleared and washed and the nutritious meal is ready to eat. The children, after their trip, outdoor play and lunch, will nap soundly.