Dubai school age cut-off from 2026-27: which year group is my child in?

Short version: from the 2026-27 academic year, the UAE uses 31 December as the age cut-off for KG and Grade 1 entry (Ministry of Education announcement, 17 December 2025). Children are placed by the age they reach by that date.

What this means when you move

If your child's birthday falls between September and December, the year group a Dubai school places them in may differ from the one they would join at home, especially if you come from a system with a 31 August or 1 September cut-off, such as England. For children already at school, placement usually follows their previous school records and age; ask each school in writing. KHDA has published guidance for Dubai private schools on grade placement, transfers and appeals; see the reporting by Khaleej Times and Gulf News.

What to do

1. Write down your child's birth month and year and current year group.
2. Ask each school which year group they would place your child in for your start date, in writing.
3. Check that year group's waiting list, not the school's in general: seats are per year group.

We do exactly this for six schools as part of every SixSchools shortlist. This page is general information, not advice; the school's admissions team has the final word.