SHEKEL opened the extended school day program in special education schools in 1992. The goal of the program is to make it easier for families by enabling them to continue raising their younger children at home without requiring an external solution. The extended school day program operates in the following special education schools and kindergartens:
- The Hettena School (for severely disabled children)
- The Dvir HaChadash School
- The Kiach School (serving Jewish and Arab children with deafness)
- The Edi Shore Kindergarten
- The Gan Nofar Kindergarten in Petach Tikva
The program's staff numbers 80 people, including coordinators, activity instructors and professionals such as doctors, social workers, physical therapists, occupational therapists, and professional assistants; and activity instructors in art, computers, music, gardening, sports, movement therapy, and pet therapy.
SHEKEL initiates fundraising activities for the schools in order to purchase advanced equipment and improve treatments and working conditions.
