The one question that every parent wants answered in the context of preschool education in India is, what is the right age to begin preschool? It stands to reason. You do not want to hurry the child’s journey, and at the same time, you do not want the child to lose out on precious time, especially given the fact that research says that the first 5 years are crucial in terms of child development.

To put it simply, the ideal age to start preschool is between 2.5 and 3.5 years. This is the time when experts mention that the child is socially and emotionally prepared to spend time away from their primary carers. This age range also aligns with the National Educational Policy of 2020, which states that foundational learning begins around the age of 3.

What Is the Right Age to Start Preschool in India?

Let us deep dive into the preschool age range a little more in detail. Primarily foundational learning begins around the age of 2.5-3 years, when the child typically attends a playgroup. From there, the child progresses to nursery, lower kindergarten, and then upper kindergarten.

• Playgroup: 2-2.5 years
• Nursery: 2.5 to 3.5 years
• LKG: 3.5 to 4.5 years
• UKG: 4.5 to 5.5 years.

Naturally, the child is prepared to embark on their educational journey from grade 1 to grade 12.

Preschool Age Criteria as per Indian Education System

While the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 mandates a minimum age of 6+ years for Class 1 admission, it will be prudent to mention here that for the year 2026-27, the new age criteria announced by DoE in Delhi state that the child must be a minimum of 3 years old by March 31st of the year in which admission is sought to be eligible for Nursery admission.

It, however, allows a 30-day age relaxation for admission to nursery, KG, and Class 1 in Delhi. This is up to each private school to decide, and hence the final decision of whether or not they will allow this flexibility rests with them.

Age-wise Breakdown of Preschool Programs in India

Typically, preschools offer a range of programs to ensure that children acquire age-appropriate learning.

Preschool age criteria in India:

1. Playgroup Age Criteria

• Typical age: 2–3 years

During this stage the emphasis is largely on the development of motor skills. Children are introduced to structured play and benefit from social interaction with their peer group as well as teachers and other adults

2. Nursery Age Criteria

• Typical age: 3–4 years

At this stage, the emphasis is on early language skills as well as routine-based learning. Overall, nursery introduces children to structured learning.

3. LKG and UKG Age Criteria

• LKG: 4–5 years

Children learn a whole range of foundational and pre-literacy concepts at this stage.

• UKG: 5–6 years

This focuses a lot on school readiness and basic academics. 

Preschool Programs and Age Criteria in India

Preschool Program	Typical Age Range	Purpose
Playgroup	2–3 years	Introduction to structured play and social interaction
Nursery	3–4 years	Early language and routine-based learning
LKG	4–5 years	Pre-literacy and foundational concepts
UKG	5–6 years	School readiness and basic academics

How to Know If Your Child Is Ready for Preschool

Some of the aspects to check for to determine whether or not the child is ready for preschool include:

1. Emotional Readiness

The key area to check is whether or not the child is emotionally ready to say goodbye to the parent for a few hours. While it is common to be a little nervous, you need to check that they aren’t overly anxious. Children who are emotionally ready will show some amount of eagerness to go to school.

2. Social Behaviour

The other aspect to look for is how eager children are to make new friends.  You could take cues from their social behaviour, including whether or not they are participative with other children. Additional aspects to look out for include whether or not they are willing to wait for their turn and share their belongings with other children.

3. Basic Communication Skills

It is important that the child be able to express himself. In case the child isn’t speaking clearly enough and others find it hard to understand him, it is frustrating both for the child and others around him. In such cases you may want to wait before starting preschool.

Common Mistakes Parents Make While Choosing Preschool Age

Some of the common mistakes parents make while determining whether or not the child is ready for preschool include:

– Starting too early

In a bid to get the child to a structured environment, parents often start too early. Ignoring child readiness, be it in terms of physical or emotional preparedness, can cause undue stress to the child. 

– Comparing with other children

The key is to remember that while there are broad milestones to follow, every child is unique. Comparing children and pushing them to preschool just because some other children their age are thriving in preschool isn’t the best decision. 

Does Starting Preschool Early Give an Advantage?

There are several benefits of starting preschool early. These include:

• Early exposure to structured learning environments help children develop the necessary social as well as cognitive skills
• Children learn how to interact with peers, follow routines and more
• A stimulating environment helps in the formation of synapses. Research shows that 90% of brain development is happening during this period.

That said, as mentioned earlier, ensuring child preparedness is key. Ignoring it comes with its own perils. It is only when the child is ready that the above advantages can accrue. The best age to start preschool, and therefore, cannot be seen in isolation without taking child preparedness into account.

Frequently Asked Questions About Preschool Age Criteria

1. What is the ideal age to start preschool?

The ideal age to start preschool is between 2.5 and 3.5 years. That said, each child is unique, and the child’s preparedness must be kept in mind. 

2. Should I send my 2.5-year-old to preschool?

2.5 can be around the right time to send the child to preschool. However, you will need to evaluate the child’s physical and emotional preparedness. Do consider whether or not the child is able to express himself and whether others can understand what he says.

3. Should my child be potty trained for preschool?

Most children are developmentally ready to be potty trained before they start preschool. It is therefore advisable that they are able to communicate the need to use the washroom.

4. What is the difference between preschool and kindergarten?

Preschool and kindergarten differ primarily in age, structure, and focus. Preschool prioritises play-based learning and socialisation, while kindergarten focuses on structured academics to prepare children for primary school.

5. What is the difference between a playgroup and a nursery?

Playgroup and nursery differ primarily in age and curriculum intensity. Playgroup focuses on play-based socialisation, emotional growth, and adjusting to a school environment. Nursery is more structured, acting as a foundational step for formal education by introducing basic literacy, numeracy, and cognitive skills.

6. What should I check before enrolling my child?

Check for aspects such as whether or not the preschool has a scientifically developed curriculum and what the safety and security protocols and child-friendly infrastructure are.

To Sum Up

Informed decision-making can go a long way when it comes to taking the decision to send the child to preschool. Whether it is when to send the child or which playschool to choose, a lot of research can aid your decision.

At Footprints Preschool, our emphasis is on holistic development of the child. To aid that, we follow the scientifically developed HighScope curriculum, which emphasises active, participatory learning.