Sending your child off to school for the first time can be both thrilling and anxiety-inducing for parents. It’s a crucial period that raises the question of when to enroll your child in kindergarten or grade school in the UAE.
In the UAE, all schools adhere to the age requirements set by the Ministry of Education (MOE) through Resolution No. 24, which took effect in 2021.
The age limit for enrollment varies depending on the school’s curriculum and the start of the academic year. Here is a breakdown.
What is the minimum age?
For pre-kindergarten:
For schools commencing in September, children enrolling in FS1 or Pre-KG must have reached the age of three on or before August 31st.
For schools commencing in April, children enrolling in Pre-KG must have reached the age of three on or before March 31st.
For kindergarten:
For schools commencing in September:
- Children enrolling in FS2 or KG1 must have reached the age of four on or before August 31st.
- Children enrolling in Year 1 or KG2 must have reached the age of five on or before August 31st.
For schools commencing in April:
- Children enrolling in KG1 must have reached the age of four on or before March 31st.
- Children enrolling in KG2 must have reached the age of five on or before March 31st.
For primary or elementary school:
- For schools starting in September, children enrolling in Grade One or Year 2 must be six years old by August 31st.
- For schools starting in April, children enrolling in Grade One must be six years old by March 31st.
Age calculators for UAE schools
To simplify the school admissions process for parents, the majority of private schools in the UAE have incorporated an online age calculator on their official websites.
To determine the appropriate grade or year group for your child, parents are required to input the child’s date of birth and the corresponding academic year. Once these details are provided, the system will generate the eligible grade or year group for your child.
This convenient tool alleviates the burden on parents by providing them with accurate and efficient information regarding their child’s placement within the school system. By utilizing this online age calculator, parents can easily navigate the admissions process and make informed decisions for their child’s education.
Also Read: Choose the UAE school curriculum that is right for your child