Compulsory education in the UAE begins from Grade 1 and the academic year runs from September to June, except for Indian and Pakistani curriculum schools, which start in April.

There is an accepted age range for each school grade/year and your chosen school will be able to give you information about this. Your child’s age is calculated as his/her age on the 15th April for Indian and Pakistani curriculum schools, or 15th September for other curricula.

Once your child has been accepted in a school, the school will need to complete the admission formalities with KHDA. For this they will ask you for a copy of the student’s passport and residence visa if you are a non-Emirati, a copy of the birth certificate if the passport does not give the exact date of birth, a passport-size photograph and attested certificates and/or transfer certificate if registering at Grade 2 or above.

Schools have their own requirements as regards payment of fees, but the Dubai Framework for Fees of Private Schools  can be accessed here.