What age can a child start nursery in Qatar?
Nurseries in Qatar care for children under four, and many take babies from about two months. From four, children go to kindergarten or school. Government schools count age on 31 December; private schools follow their curriculum's own cut-off date.
Checked October 2026 · Sources
From nursery to school
Qatar's nurseries law covers children under four, so most nurseries take children up to four, and many take babies from about two months. From four, children go to kindergarten, either a standalone one or the KG section of a school.
| Stage | Usual ages | Licensed as |
|---|---|---|
| Nursery | Babies to under 4 | Nursery (Nurseries Department) |
| Kindergarten | 3 or 4 to 6 (KG1, KG2; FS1, FS2 in British schools) | Private school or government kindergarten |
| Grade 1 / Year 1 | From 5 or 6, depending on the curriculum | School |
How school ages are counted
- Government schools count a child's age on 31 December of the year they start, for example for the 2026-27 school year.
- Private schools follow the age rules of their curriculum, so the date varies from school to school: many British schools use 31 August, some kindergartens 30 September and many Indian schools 31 March.
- Check the exact cut-off with each school you apply to before you choose a nursery place for the year before.
Which nurseries take babies
From the nurseries listed here that publish their ages, in places where at least 8 do.
| City | Listing ages | Take babies under 1 | Youngest | Most common upper age |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Doha | 40 | 62% (25) | 45 days | 4 years |
Use the Age filter on any neighbourhood page to find nurseries that take your child's age.
Questions parents ask
From what age can my baby start nursery in Qatar?
Many nurseries in Qatar take babies from about two months old, and each nursery's page shows the ages it takes when it lists them.
Until what age do children stay at nursery in Qatar?
Until four. Qatar's nurseries law covers children under four, so at four children move on to kindergarten or to the KG class of a school.
How is a child's school age counted in Qatar?
Government schools count a child's age on 31 December of the year they start. Private schools follow the age rules of their curriculum, so the date varies, for example 31 August at many British schools and 31 March at many Indian schools. Check with the school.
Sources
Rules change: confirm them with the authority or the nursery, and tell us if something here is out of date.