UAE clarifies enrollment rules for British curriculum schools

The UAE’s Ministry of Education has given parents planning to enroll their children in British curriculum schools the option to assess their child's readiness to join Foundation Stage 1 (FS1) if they do not turn three by the start of the 2026-2027 school year.

The assessment will be applied by the school to children born between September 1 and December 31, following consultation with the parents. 

The option has been added following the extension of the age cut-off to December 31, from the previous date of August 31.

"For the 2027–2026 academic year only, parents and schools may jointly decide whether FS1 or FS2 is the most suitable placement for children born between September 1 and December 31, 2022, based on the school’s readiness assessment," the ministry added. 

They also noted that "once a student is enrolled in a grade, they may not be transferred to another grade later".

Updates on the enrollment age for admission to the Foundation Stage in private schools implementing the British curriculum only, effective from the upcoming academic year 2026–2027.
For more information, please view the guide through the link below:https://t.co/RzLeDYBqil pic.twitter.com/Q9ztUa4KMd

— وزارة التربية والتعليم (@MOEUAEofficial) February 12, 2026

The ministry has also addressed concerns in other curricula, particularly for children born between September 1 and December 31 in 2021, who were not eligible for enrollment in the academic year 2025–2026.

The UAE authority noted that those students may register in either Kindergarten 1 (KG1) or Kindergarten 1 (KG1) in the 2026–2027 academic year.