What age can a child start nursery in Saudi Arabia?
Licensed childcare centres in Saudi Arabia can take children from birth, and Ministry of Education nurseries from one month to under three. Kindergarten has three levels from age three to six, and children start Grade 1 at six.
Checked October 2026 · Sources
From nursery to school
In Saudi Arabia, licensed childcare centres can take children from birth, and Ministry of Education nurseries from one month to under three, though each sets its own ages. Kindergarten has three levels from three to six, and children start Grade 1 at six.
| Stage | Usual ages | Run by |
|---|---|---|
| Childcare centre | From birth to ten (home centres to six) | Private centres licensed by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development |
| Nursery | From one month to under three | Private nurseries licensed by the Ministry of Education |
| KG1 | Three to under four (2026-2027: born 26 August 2022 to 25 August 2023) | Government and private kindergartens |
| KG2 | Four to under five (born 26 August 2021 to 25 August 2022) | Government and private kindergartens |
| KG3 | Five to under six (born 26 August 2020 to 25 August 2021) | Government and private kindergartens |
| Grade 1 | Six, or up to ninety days short of six | Government and private schools |
Kindergarten and Grade 1 registration
- Noor. Kindergarten and Grade 1 registration goes through the Ministry of Education's Noor system, in windows the ministry announces each year.
- Grade 1. Schools accept children who are six, or up to ninety days short of six. Children up to 180 days younger may be accepted after a full year in an accredited kindergarten, with a developmental certificate uploaded to Noor.
- Private and international schools. Many set their own placement ages; check with each school you apply to.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Riyadh | 48 | 50% (24) | 0 years | 6 years |
| Jeddah | 24 | 50% (12) | 1 month | 6 years |
| Al Khobar | 9 | 67% (6) | 0 years | 5 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 Saudi Arabia?
From birth at a licensed childcare centre, which may care for children up to ten, or from one month at a Ministry of Education nursery, which takes children under three. Each nursery sets its own ages; its page here shows them when it lists them.
What age is KG1, KG2 and KG3 in Saudi Arabia?
Kindergarten has three levels: the first for children from three to under four, the second from four to under five and the third from five to under six. For 2026-2027, KG1 is for children born between 26 August 2022 and 25 August 2023.
When does my child start Grade 1 in Saudi Arabia?
At six. Schools accept children who are six, or up to ninety days short of six; children up to 180 days younger may be accepted after a full year in an accredited kindergarten. Registration is on the Ministry of Education's Noor system.
Sources
Rules change: confirm them with the authority or the nursery, and tell us if something here is out of date.
- Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development: regulatory controls for private childcare centres, Ministerial Decision No. 54694 (1443 AH / 2021)
- Ministry of Education: regulatory controls for the nursery stage, first edition (2025)
- Ministry of Education: regulatory controls for the kindergarten stage, first edition (2025)
- Mdares: Noor system guide, kindergarten birth dates for 2026-2027 and the Grade 1 age rules