Hi Aoife,

There is no maximum age that I am aware of – FS 1 children in Dubai are required to be 3 years old by 1st September in most UK curriculum schools, although some follow the Ministry’s new guidelines which require them to be 3 years and 8 months.  In the latter case, you may find children from 3 years and 8 months to 4 years and 7 months in the same class.  Generally, children joining an IB curriculum school (although not all IB schools in Dubai) join in KG1 and for this the age requirements are different – usually children will be at least 4 years and 8 months.

Most schools also do not permit more than a 2 year difference in age within the same year group or grade because of the social impact this has on the children.