Parents and families across the UAE were alerted this month to the big change in the education system. The official age cut-off date for admissions to kindergarten and Grade 1 will change starting from the new academic year 2026-2027. The decision, approved by the Education, Human Development, and Community Development Council, shifts the cut-off date for all schools and kindergartens from August 31 to December 31 of the admission year. This new policy affects those schools with academic calendars that start in August or September.
What does this actually mean?
A child who turns the required age in September, October, November, or December will now be eligible to enroll in that same school year. This wasn’t possible under the old August deadline.
However, it’s important to note that the updated age criteria apply to new admissions only, so families with children already enrolled won’t be affected. Existing students will continue under the rules that were in place when they first joined.
Here’s how the new cut-off works for the 2026–2027 academic year:
• Pre-Kindergarten – Must be 3 years old by 31 December of the admission year
• Kindergarten 1 – Must be 4 years old by 31 December
• Kindergarten 2 – Must be 5 years old by 31 December
• Grade 1 – Must be 6 years old by 31 December
These ages align across international curricula (British, French, American, etc.) to bring more consistency to the admission process in the UAE
So why the change?
Authorities in the UAE say the new cut-off is based on research and consultation with educators, aiming to better align admissions with developmental readiness. It has also been considered that this will promote fairer placement of children and ensure consistency across different curricula in the UAE.
How does this affect Abu Dhabi?
The local education regulator ADEK (Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge) will implement the new national cut-off for families applying to join kindergarten and Grade 1 beginning in 2026. Schools in the emirate will follow the updated December 31 deadline for admissions under ADEK’s oversight, which means parents planning for entry in 2026–27 should check age eligibility dates prior to and prepare before the term starts.
If you’re gearing up for next year’s admissions, now’s the time to confirm your child’s eligibility and plan. This new policy gives families more time and clarity when preparing for one of the biggest steps in a child’s educational journey.
For more information, please visit the United Arab Emirates Ministry of Education
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