Age-Grade Placement Guide
"At what age is my child ready for school?"
"I've just moved to a new country and I am not sure what grade my child should transfer to?"
At GEMS schools, we are regularly asked about the appropriate age for school admissions in the UAE. That's why we've put together this helpful guide and detailed table for you.
We will place students in age-appropriate grade levels in accordance with the Ministry of Education/KHDA regulations. To assist families coming from various curriculums, please refer to the table below as a guideline for which grade to apply to. Further clarification will be available by the Admissions and Educational teams of the school.
School Age Cut-off Requirements
The latest guidance issued by the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) and the Ministry of Education regarding admissions age requirements for Foundation Stage and Key Stage 1 students.
These changes will be implemented across all GEMS Education schools from the 2026–2027 academic year, ensuring a consistent and transparent approach for families.
-
To support clarity, please find below guidance relevant to children currently enrolled within GEMS Education schools.
Children currently enrolled in Nursery (2–3 years)
- Children born between 1 September 2022 and 31 December 2022 who are currently enrolled in a GEMS Nursery (2–3 years) will transition to Foundation Stage 2 (FS2) in the 2026–2027 academic year, in line with the revised cut-off date.
- Children born between 1 January 2023 and 31 August 2023 will transition to Foundation Stage 1 (FS1).
Children currently enrolled in Foundation Stage 1 (FS1)
- Children born between 1 September 2021 and 31 December 2021 may be considered for entry into Year 1 for the 2026–2027 academic year.
- Where families wish for their child to be considered for Year 1, a school-based assessment will be carried out by the class teacher to determine readiness for this transition and availability of seats, in line with KHDA guidance.
- Families interested in exploring this option are encouraged to contact their school’s Early Years leadership team directly.
- Please be assured that a child’s place in FS2 remains fully secure should Year 1 not be deemed appropriate.
Children currently enrolled in Foundation Stage 2 (FS2)
- All children currently enrolled in FS2 will follow their planned transition to Year 1.
Children currently enrolled in Year 1
- All children currently enrolled in Year 1 will follow their planned transition to Year 2.
GEMS Education recognises that transitions in early education are important milestones for children and families. Schools will continue to provide guidance and individual support to ensure each child progresses in a way that best supports their development, confidence, and wellbeing.
Further communication, including school-level information sessions, will be shared directly by individual schools to support families through these changes.
School Ages by Grade/Year (New Age Eligibility Requirements)
|
Age |
British Curriculum (UK) |
American Curriculum |
Australia/ NZ |
South Africa |
|
|
"Year" |
"Grade" |
"Year" |
"Year" |
||
|
2 years old as of Dec 31 |
Schools for Age 2 |
Nursery |
Nursery |
-- | -- |
|
3 years old as of Dec 31 (toilet trained) |
Schools for Age 3 |
FS1 (Nursery) |
PreK or Nursery |
-- |
-- |
|
4 years old as of Dec 31 (toilet trained) |
Schools for Age 4 |
FS2 (Reception) |
KG1 |
KG |
-- |
|
5 years old as of Dec 31 |
Schools for Age 5 |
1 |
KG2 |
Prep |
Reception |
|
6 years old as of Dec 31 |
Schools for Age 6 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
7 years old |
Schools for Age 7 |
3 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
|
8 years old |
Schools for Age 8 |
4 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
|
9 years old |
Schools for Age 9 |
5 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
|
10 years old |
Schools for Age 10 |
6 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
|
11 years old |
Schools for Age 11 |
7 |
6 |
6 |
6 |
|
12 years old |
Schools for Age 12 |
8 |
7 |
7 |
7 |
|
13 years old |
Schools for Age 13 |
9 |
8 |
8 |
8 |
|
14 years old |
Schools for Age 14 |
10 |
9 |
9 |
9 |
|
15 years old |
Schools for Age 15 |
11 |
10 |
10 |
10 |
|
16 years old |
Schools for Age 16 |
12 |
11 |
11 |
11 |
|
17 years old |
Schools for Age 17 |
13 |
12 |
12 |
12 |
School Ages by Grade/Year (Current Students)
The table below shows the current age eligibility requirements, which remain unchanged for all students who are already enrolled. These requirements will continue to apply for the duration of the student’s enrolment
|
Age of August 31 of each school year |
British Curriculum (UK) |
American Curriculum |
Australia/ NZ |
South Africa |
|
|
"Year" |
"Grade" |
"Year" |
"Year" |
||
|
2 years |
Schools for Age 2 |
Nursery |
Nursery |
-- | -- |
|
3 years old (toilet trained) |
Schools for Age 3 |
FS1 (Nursery) |
PreK or Nursery |
-- |
-- |
|
4 years old(toilet trained) |
Schools for Age 4 |
FS2 (Reception) |
KG1 |
KG |
-- |
|
5 years old |
Schools for Age 5 |
1 |
KG2 |
Prep |
Reception |
|
6 years old |
Schools for Age 6 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
7 years old |
Schools for Age 7 |
3 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
|
8 years old |
Schools for Age 8 |
4 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
|
9 years old |
Schools for Age 9 |
5 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
|
10 years old |
Schools for Age 10 |
6 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
|
11 years old |
Schools for Age 11 |
7 |
6 |
6 |
6 |
|
12 years old |
Schools for Age 12 |
8 |
7 |
7 |
7 |
|
13 years old |
Schools for Age 13 |
9 |
8 |
8 |
8 |
|
14 years old |
Schools for Age 14 |
10 |
9 |
9 |
9 |
|
15 years old |
Schools for Age 15 |
11 |
10 |
10 |
10 |
|
16 years old |
Schools for Age 16 |
12 |
11 |
11 |
11 |
|
17 years old |
Schools for Age 17 |
13 |
12 |
12 |
12 |
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