Embarking on the journey of sending your child to school for the first time is a mix of excitement and nervousness for parents. During this crucial period, a key question that often arises is determining the appropriate age to enroll your child in kindergarten or grade school in the UAE.
All educational institutions in the UAE adhere to age requirements outlined by the Ministry of Education (MOE) in Resolution No. 24, implemented in 2021. These requirements vary based on the school’s curriculum and the commencement of the academic year.
Here’s a breakdown of the minimum age criteria:
- Pre-Kindergarten:
- For schools starting in September: Children joining FS1 or Pre-KG must be three years old on or before August 31.
- For schools starting in April: Children enrolling in Pre-KG must be three years old on or before March 31.
- Kindergarten:
- For schools starting in September:
- Children joining FS2 or KG1 must be four years old on or before August 31.
- Children enrolling in Year 1 or KG2 must be five years old on or before August 31.
- For schools starting in April:
- Children enrolling in KG1 must be four years old on or before March 31.
- Children enrolling in KG2 must be five years old on or before March 31.
- For schools starting in September:
- Primary or Elementary School:
- For schools starting in September: Children entering Grade one or Year 2 must be six years old by August 31.
- For schools starting in April: Children enrolling in Grade one must be six years old by March 31.
Many private schools in the UAE facilitate the admission process by offering online age calculators on their official websites. By entering the child’s date of birth and the academic year, parents can easily determine the eligible grade or year group for their child. This tool simplifies the enrollment process and provides clarity for parents navigating school admissions.
