About us

20 Years Shalom Center

Discover the full story of Shalom Center, and our 20-year journey in early childhood education. Here you can explore more about our institution’s history, values, and the innovative methodologies we employ. Don’t miss the embedded video that highlights our milestones and the impactful work we’ve been doing for two decades.

Our Founder

Anila Bega Cohen founded Shalom Center, driven by her deep passion for early childhood education. Her inspiration comes from her father, who was a pioneer in this field and dedicated his life to promoting innovative teaching methods. Anila’s father was a visionary in early childhood education, believing in the potential of every child and advocating for personalized, creative, and supportive learning environments. His dedication and innovative approach laid the foundation for Anila’s work.

Anila continues her father’s legacy by bringing his vision to life at Shalom Center. Her commitment to excellence and belief in the importance of early childhood education are reflected in every aspect of the institution. Anila’s expertise in early childhood education, combined with her innovative mindset, has shaped Shalom Center into a leading institution. She is dedicated to creating an enriching educational experience that supports the intellectual and emotional development of every child.

Anila’s background is rich with international experience. She has specialized in early childhood education abroad, including in Washington DC under Children International Resources (CRI), and at the Golda Meir Training Center in Haifa, Israel. She also completed postgraduate specialization in Early Childhood Development and Parenting Policies at the Université Libre de Bruxelles in Belgium. Her vision for the future includes expanding the impact of Shalom Center, continuously improving its programs and methodologies to provide the best possible education for young children. Her dedication and passion for early childhood education drive the success of Shalom Center, ensuring it remains a nurturing and supportive environment where children can thrive.

Our Institution

Shalom Center, established in Albania in 2004, is dedicated to providing exceptional early childhood education. The institution draws inspiration from the successful Israeli “GAN” program, which focuses on the holistic development of children by balancing physical, social-emotional, and linguistic growth.

History and Values: Founded by Anila Bega Cohen, Shalom Center was created with a vision to provide high-quality early childhood education in Albania. Anila Bega Cohen’s extensive international experience in early childhood education has significantly shaped the center’s approach. She has specialized in early childhood education abroad, including in Washington DC under Children International Resources (CRI), at the Golda Meir Training Center in Haifa, Israel, and completed postgraduate specialization in Early Childhood Development and Parenting Policies at the Université Libre de Bruxelles in Belgium.

Shalom Center embodies values of inclusivity, community, and holistic growth. The center is committed to creating a nurturing and stimulating environment that supports the intellectual and emotional development of every child. Anila’s dedication to excellence and her belief in the importance of early childhood education are reflected in every aspect of the institution.

The Shalom Center also promotes cultural exchange and cooperation through initiatives like the Israel-Albania Culture Festival, which fosters collaboration in education, arts, and sports. This festival is part of the center’s efforts to enrich the educational experience and build strong community ties.

Shalom Center aims to inspire and nurture the leaders of tomorrow through innovative education and strong community involvement, ensuring it remains a pioneering institution in Albania’s educational landscape.

Our Program

It is well-known that the early years are vital for a child’s development. This is the time when children begin to discover ideas, objects, and practices. It is also the time when they start learning how to learn. As parents, you have the greatest opportunity to shape your child’s learning journey because you are their FIRST AND MOST IMPORTANT TEACHER.

The SHALOM program offers you a valuable resource to share, explore, and take steps together to learn, have fun, and feel proud.

It is a rich program designed to help children perceive themselves and the world step by step, from small things to big concepts, from daily routines to universal truths.

The SHALOM program is built to foster confidence in children and stimulate their natural curiosity and enthusiasm.

Every milestone achieved is considered a unique stepping stone. The kindergarten provides a series of developmental assessments to families, documenting every milestone. These assessments include 105 skills identified by educators and parents as essential for supporting children in having a strong start when they enter school. While these assessments are simple lists reflecting a child’s development, it is important to remember that each child grows at their own pace. In addition to a detailed base program tailored to specific age groups, we have also prepared advanced programs for children who demonstrate accelerated development.

The goal of presenting these skills is not to rush reading or mathematical operations but to ensure that the child has the best opportunity to learn how to learn and grow.

As time goes on, children acquire new skills and concepts, take pride in their achievements, and, together with their parents, cherish their First Steps. One day, you will look back on the warm memories of their first drawings, their first written words, and the special knowledge and emotions of those early days of childhood and discovery.