Today's Edition
ASILA AL BADI (ABU DHABI)
Parents have welcomed the UAE’s revised age cut-off for kindergarten and Grade 1 admissions, saying the updated policy better reflects children’s developmental readiness and supports smoother social and academic alignment in early education.
Approved by the Education, Human Development and Community Development Council, the policy moves the age cut-off date from August 31 to December 31 of the admission year for young learners, many of whom are enrolling in school for the first time.
The change will be implemented starting from the 2026–2027 academic year and will apply only to new admissions. Current students will continue under the same policy.
Authorities said the decision followed a comprehensive technical and pedagogical review, drawing on national data, international benchmarks, and feedback from across the education sector. The aim is to ensure fairer placement, align enrolment with age-appropriate developmental stages, and support consistency across different curricula active in the UAE.
For many parents, the update effectively tackles concerns of academic disadvantages among children born later in the year.
Reem Mahmood Al Alawi, a mother of two boys aged five and three, said the change was a positive and reassuring step. “It keeps children within the same generation together, which honestly makes a big difference at this age,” she said. “When kids are closer in age, they’re more aligned emotionally and socially, and that helps them feel more comfortable and confident in the classroom.”
Alalawi added that learning is often smoother when children develop at a similar pace, noting that age gaps at an early stage can affect classroom dynamics. “Being grouped with children from the same generation makes a big difference socially and emotionally, and it helps them feel ready to learn,” she said.
She also highlighted the importance of clarity for parents navigating education systems in the country. “With so many different curricula in the UAE, having a clear and consistent age cut-off gives parents peace of mind when planning their child’s education. It makes transitions smoother and ensures children are placed where they truly belong developmentally,” Alalawi said.
Fatima Ali Saeed, a mother of one, also expressed support for the decision, noting that some children previously had to spend an additional year at home despite being ready for school. “Being in a classroom helps children grow socially and build confidence,” she said. “When a child is delayed by a full year, they may feel older than their peers and believe they should be at a higher academic level.”
Mouza Abdulla, a mother of three, echoed this sentiment, adding that delaying a child’s school entry by a full year may come with unexpected consequences. “In some cases, a child may appear noticeably older than their classmates, both physically and cognitively, which can create a sense of imbalance or difference in the classroom,” she said.
Closer age grouping builds a better learning environment, Mouza said. “Updating the age requirement supports children’s psychological and educational wellbeing by allowing them to integrate more naturally with their classmates.”
