Under the updated policy, a child’s age will now be calculated based on December 31 of the admission year. This replaces the earlier cut-off date of August 31. The change will apply only to new admissions, and students who are already enrolled in schools will not be affected in any way.
The aim of this decision is to provide fair and equal access to early education for all children. It also helps ensure smoother transitions between different education systems and curricula. By aligning age requirements more closely, schools can place children in grades that better match their developmental stage.
The policy is based on research that considers key areas of child development, including thinking skills, emotional and social growth, language abilities, and physical or motor development. This approach supports age-appropriate learning and helps children adjust more comfortably in the classroom.
For students transferring from other schools or coming from abroad, admissions will continue to follow officially approved grade equivalency guidelines to ensure proper placement.
Overall, this update is designed to create a more balanced, fair, and supportive start to formal education for young learners across the UAE.
