FS1 andFS2 Admission Guide Dubai.

For FS1 (Foundation Stage 1, also called KG1) admission in the 2026-2027 academic year, children must turn 4 years old by 31 December 2026. This updated cutoff date replaced the previous 31 August cutoff. Schools may conduct individual readiness assessments.

For FS2 (Foundation Stage 2, also called KG2 or Reception) admission in the 2026-2027 academic year, children must turn 5 years old by 31 December 2026. FS2 is the year before formal Year 1 / Grade 1.

FS1 (Foundation Stage 1) is the first year of formal schooling in the British curriculum, equivalent to KG1 or Pre-K. FS2 (Foundation Stage 2) is the second year, equivalent to KG2 or Reception. Both are part of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework in British curriculum schools. In American curriculum schools, the equivalents are Pre-K and Kindergarten.

Common documents include: child's passport copy, UAE residence visa, Emirates ID, birth certificate, immunisation records from a DHA-approved clinic, passport-size photographs, and parents' identification documents. Some schools also request a nursery report or reference letter. Requirements vary by school.

FS1 and FS2 admissions are typically observation-based rather than formal testing. Schools may invite children for a play-based assessment or classroom observation to assess social readiness, communication skills, and basic developmental milestones. The focus is on readiness rather than academic knowledge.