As part of the continuous development of education policies and to ensure students’ readiness for school entry, the Ministry of Education has issued the Admission Age Guide for Kindergarten and Grade 1 Students. The guide serves as a reference explaining the approved admission age criteria and the mechanism for applying the policy across educational institutions in the United Arab Emirates.
The guide outlines the updated admission age requirements for enrollment in kindergarten and Grade 1, which will take effect starting from the 2026–2027 academic year. The decision applies to public and private schools, as well as nurseries and early childhood centres. It also clarifies the cut-off dates used to calculate admission age for schools whose academic year begins in August or September, as well as those that start in April.
In addition, the guide explains the reasons behind updating the admission age policy. The decision is based on analytical studies, international comparisons, and educational research on children’s readiness for early education, as well as academic data analysis covering a large number of students. These measures aim to ensure fairness and equal opportunities for all students while maintaining a stable educational progression.
The guide also provides important clarifications regarding the groups to whom the decision applies and those who are exempt, along with tables showing eligible birth date ranges for enrollment in kindergarten and Grade 1 according to the applicable education systems.
📘 To view the full guide and learn more about the approved admission age for kindergarten and Grade 1, please visit the following link:
🔗 Admission Age Guide for Kindergarten and Grade 1 Students