The UAE has announced a change to the age cut-off for kindergarten and Grade 1 admissions, starting from the 2026–2027 academic year. Here’s a simple breakdown of what parents need to know.
What has changed?
From 2026–27, the official age cut-off for admissions will be December 31 of the admission year.
Earlier, children had to meet the age requirement by August 31.
Which schools does this apply to?
- All schools and kindergartens that begin in August or September will follow the new December 31 cut-off.
- Schools that start their academic year in April will continue using March 31 as the cut-off date.
Who does this affect?
- The new rule applies only to new admissions.
- Children already enrolled in school are not affected.
Why was the change introduced?
Authorities say the move is aimed at:
- Creating fair and unified admission criteria across schools
- Improving access to early education
- Aligning UAE education policies with international standards and national development goals
What should parents do next?
Parents planning school admissions for 2026–27 and beyond should:
- Check their child’s date of birth carefully
- Confirm the academic calendar (August/September or April start) of the school they are applying to
- Speak to schools early to understand placement eligibility
UAE school admissions: Age requirements explained
The education council has clarified the minimum age requirements for school admissions, based on a child’s age as of December 31 of the admission year. Here’s how it works across different curricula:
Pre-K
(Foundation Stage 1 – British curriculum | Petite Section – French | Pre-KG – other curricula)
- Minimum age: 3 years by December 31
KG1
(Foundation Stage 2 – British | Moyenne Section – French | KG1 – other curricula)
- Minimum age: 4 years by December 31
KG2
(Year 1 – British | Grande Section – French | KG2 – other curricula)
- Minimum age: 5 years by December 31
Grade 1
(Year 2 – British | Cours Preparatoire – French | Grade 1 – other curricula)
- Minimum age: 6 years by December 31
What parents should keep in mind
- The age cut-off applies to new admissions only.
- Schools starting in August or September follow the December 31 rule.
- Schools with an April academic start continue using March 31 as the cut-off.