FAQs on changes to age requirements for 2026 - 2027

The age cut-off date for admission to Pre-Kindergarten, KG 1/FS 2, KG 2/Year 1 and Grade 1/Year 2 has been amended for schools and Early Childhood Centres (ECCs) that commence the academic year in August or September. For these institutions, the age cut-off date has been changed to December 31, replacing the previous cut-off of August 31.

This amendment is effective for the 2026–2027 academic year and applies only to new student admissions at public and private schools and ECCs that commence in August or September as outlined in the table below:

Age requirements for schools and ECCs that start in August or September:
 

Level	British Curriculum	French Curriculum	Other International Curriculum	Age
Pre-K	FS1 (Foundation Stage 1)	Petite Section (PS)	Pre-Kg (Pre-kindergarten)	3 years old by December 31 of the admission year
KG 1	FS 2 (Foundation Stage 2)	Moyenne Section (MS)	KG 1	4 years old by December 31 of the admission year
KG 2	Year 1	Grande Section (GS)	KG 2	5 years old by December 31 of the admission year
Grade 1	Year 2	Cours Preparatoire (CP)	Grade 1	6 years old by December 31 of the admission year

Schools and ECCs that commence the academic year in April will continue to apply the existing age eligibility requirements, with March 31 remaining the approved cut-off date.

Age requirements for schools and ECCs that start in April:
 

Level	Age
Pre-K	3 years old by March 31 of the admission year
KG 1	4 years old by March 31 of the admission year
KG 2	5 years old by March 31 of the admission year
Grade 1	6 years old by March 31 of the admission year

These changes will take effect in the 2026–2027 academic year for schools and ECCs that commence in August or September.

Schools and ECCs that commence the academic year in April will continue to apply the current age eligibility requirements, with March 31 remaining the approved cut-off date.

The amended age eligibility requirements apply to new students enrolling in a school or Early Childhood Centre for the first time, in accordance with the approved age cut-off dates and levels outlined in the tables above.

Students who are currently enrolled in schools or ECCs will not be affected by this amendment.

The new age eligibility cut-off dates apply only to new student admissions in Pre-Kindergarten, KG 1 / FS2, KG 2 / Year 1, Grade 1 / Year 2 or their curriculum equivalents, effective from the 2026–27 academic year, as outlined in the tables above.
 

In accordance with the Education, Human Development and Community Council's decision, no exceptions will be granted to the approved age eligibility cut-off dates.