Are you wondering if your child can enroll in Kindergarten? The Department of Education implements a strict policy regarding the age cut-off for eligible Kindergarten enrollees. This policy ensures that children are developmentally ready for formal schooling and can integrate well into the basic education system. Additionally, we will shed light on the amendments introduced by DepEd Order 15 s. 2025, and highlight how these changes affect the current Kindergarten enrollment policy.

While some may see this as a hindrance, especially for children who want to enroll but do not meet the age requirement. We will discuss the rationale behind this rule and why, as a parent, you should appreciate its intent. According to DepEd’s official policy, a child must be five years old by October 31 of the school year they wish to enroll.

The Kindergarten age cut-off policy helps align a child’s physical, cognitive, social, and emotional readiness for classroom learning. It ensures that children are not exposed to formal education too early. This may lead to challenges in comprehension and behavior, while also preventing delays in critical development by starting too late.

This policy is grounded in extensive research that identifies the appropriate age for introducing children to formal schooling. Based on these findings, DepEd mandates that every child should be five years old before or during their Kindergarten year. The Department of Education aims to promote better learning outcomes and support the holistic growth of every young learner through this policy.

Background: DepEd’s Kindergarten Policies

Two important laws provide the legal basis for DepEd’s Kindergarten age cut-off policy. The first is Republic Act 10157, or the Kindergarten Education Act of 2012, which institutionalized the integration of Kindergarten into the basic education system. This means that Kindergarten is now a compulsory requirement for all learners before they can enter elementary education.

Before this law was enacted, a child could enroll in Grade 1 even without attending Kindergarten, daycare, or any form of preschool. However, RA 10157 changed this by setting specific requirements before a child can be accepted into Grade 1. Most notably, it requires all Kindergarten enrollees to be at least five (5) years old by the opening of the school year.

Republic Act 10533, or the Enhanced Basic Education Act of 2013, established the current K to 12 Program of the Department of Education. The law affirms the need for universal Kindergarten in basic education and makes it mandatory. It also mandates the use of developmentally appropriate and research-based curricula for Kindergarten.

What’s New in DepEd Order 15 s. 2025?

On June 4, 2025, the Department of Education released an order amending its policy on the Kindergarten age cut-off. DepEd Order No. 15, s. 2025 moved the required age cut-off for Kindergarten eligibility from June 1 to October 31. This means a child must be five years old on or before October 31 of the school year to qualify for Kindergarten enrollment.

Below are the actual amendments to the Kindergarten Age Cut-off Policy as stated in DepEd Order 15 s. 2025.

Age qualification for Kindergarten learners should be five years old by October 31 of every calendar year. However, the school may consider learners entering Kindergarten who will turn five years old from November 1 to December 31 on the condition:

• Have completed an Early Childhood Care and Development (ECDD) Program for one (1) school year. Parents/legal guardians shall provide copies of the Certificate of Completion/ Attendance of the learner’s previous ECCD program experience; or
• Undergo the Philippine ECD Checklist during the enrollment period until the first week of the school year. This is to ensure that the learner is capable of meeting the expectations of the kindergarten level. The ECD checklist shall be administered by the Kindergarten teachers of the receiving school. Also, the results shall serve as the basis for the school’s admission to Kindergarten.

Full Copy of DepEd Order No. 15 s. 2025 “New Kindergarten Age Cut-off Policy”

The Department of Education (DepEd) released DepEd Order No. 15, s. 2025, which outlines the updated Kindergarten age cut-off policy effective School Year 2025–2026. This order sets clearer guidelines on the minimum age requirement for Kindergarten enrollment, ensuring consistency across all public and private schools. You can read the full official copy of the order below to understand the specific provisions and implementation details.

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