Most children start school full-time in September after their fourth birthday and will turn five during their first school year. They start in Reception or Kindergarten class.
In Singapore, children typically start primary school at the age of 6. However, there is a preschool phase called “kindergarten” that children usually attend before starting primary school. Kindergarten education is not compulsory, but it is widely encouraged and available for children aged 3 to 6.
The kindergarten years prepare children for primary school by providing a foundation in language, numeracy, and social skills. After completing kindergarten, children enter primary school at the age of 6, starting with Primary 1.
Are the age requirements the same for every Singapore school?
There are slightly different criteria for school starting ages in schools with UK, US, IB and Indian curricula, as well as for schools with a January to December academic calendar (including Ministry of Education schools and schools following an Australian curriculum).
What is the age criteria for UK curriculum and IB primary and secondary schools in Singapore?
| UK | IB | Local/MOE | Indian | Australian | US | Age as of Sep 1 of the Year of Entry |
| Reception | Pre-KG | Nursery | KG 1 | Pre-school | Pre-KG | 4 years old |
| Year 1 | KG | Primary 1 | KG 2 | Prep | KG | 5 years old |
| Year 2 | Grade 1 | P2 | Grade 1 | Year 1 | Grade 1 | 6 years old |
| Year 3 | Grade 2 | P3 | Grade 2 | Year 2 | Grade 2 | 7 years old |
| Year 4 | Grade 3 | P4 | Grade 3 | Year 3 | Grade 3 | 8 years old |
| Year 5 | Grade 4 | P5 | Grade 4 | Year 4 | Grade 4 | 9 years old |
| Year 6 | Grade 5 | P6 | Grade 5 | Year 5 | Grade 5 | 10 years old |
| Year 7 | Grade 6 | P7 | Grade 6 | Year 6 | Grade 6 | 11 years old |
| Year 8 | Grade 7 | Secondary 1 | Grade 7 | Year 7 | Grade 7 | 12 years old |
| Year 9 | Grade 8 | S2 | Grade 8 | Year 8 | Grade 8 | 13 years old |
| Year 10 | Grade 9 | S3 | Grade 9 | Year 9 | Grade 9 | 14 years old |
| Year 11 | Grade 10 | S4 | Grade 10 | Year 10 | Grade 10 | 15 years old |
| Year 12 | Grade 11 | S5 | Grade 11 | Year 11 | Grade 11 | 16 years old |
| Year 13 | Grade 12 | S6 | Grade 12 | Year 12 | Grade 12 | 17 years old |