The state government of Maharashtra is working towards revising the admission policy for nursery children in accordance with NEP 2020. Currently, children must be at least 3 years of age at the time of enrolment for the 2024-2025 academic session. This change was introduced based on the advice of the Early Childhood Association (ECA), which believes that enrolling children in nursery before the age of 3 could negatively affect their early development. Age-appropriate entry is considered essential to positively influence language and social development.
This long-awaited change in the admission process for CBSE schools in Mumbai will now require children to be at least 3 years old to be admitted for the 2024-25 academic year. Previously, schools in Maharashtra admitted children who turned 3 by December into nursery classes, meaning many children as young as 2.5 years old were enrolled. According to Sharad Gosavi, State Director of Primary Education, the new age criteria for preschool admissions are being developed in collaboration with the Women and Child Development Ministry, which also oversees anganwadis (early childhood centres). The ECA has reiterated this new age criteria for school admissions and has urged the Governor of Maharashtra to encourage the state government to establish 3 years as the minimum age for preschool entry. Maharashtra is one of the states that has not yet fully adjusted its age criteria for school admissions, leading to some children between 5 and 5.2 years old being enrolled in Class 1.
There has been significant discussion about the negative effects of enrolling children in preschool before the age of 3. Nursery education is designed based on the developmental abilities of 3-year-olds, and children younger than this may struggle to keep up. The Maharashtra government’s resolution states that a child must be at least 3 years old by 31st December for admission. The reason for this is that academic sessions in Maharashtra begin either in April or June, resulting in children as young as 2.5 years old being admitted to nursery and 5.5 years old when they start Class 1.
Read more: Age Limit for Admission in Class 1 in CBSE Board
Starting school too early has no discernible advantages. In fact, it may be harmful to children. The state government must adhere to the recommendations outlined in NEP 2020, which states that at the age of 3, a child’s brain is more developed, allowing them to adapt to a new environment. At this age, they are more capable of understanding the teacher and relating to what is taught in class. Though 3 to 6 months may seem like a short time to adults, it is a significant period in a child’s life, greatly affecting their language, emotional, and social development. The NEP and the Right to Education (RTE) Act stipulate that the correct age for Class 1 admission is 6 years, and for preschool, it is 3 years. Following these criteria is essential, as children aged 3 can typically form simple 3-5 word sentences, take turns, and engage in short dialogues — skills that are crucial for success in preschool. Children younger than 3, particularly those 2 to 2.5 years old, are unlikely to have developed these abilities.
Age Criteria for School Admission
Understanding the age criteria for preschool and nursery enrolment helps parents identify the best schools for admissions and ensures a smoother process.
- Age Criteria for Play School Admission
- Age Criteria for Nursery Admission
- Age Criteria for Junior KG Admission
- Age Criteria for Senior KG Admission
- Age Criteria for Class 1 Admission in Mumbai
In Mumbai, children eligible for play school admissions must be born between 1st January 2022 and 31st December 2022, providing them with a playful and engaging learning environment.
For nursery admission for the 2024-25 academic session, children must be born between 1st January 2021 and 31st December 2021. While Maharashtra does not enforce a strict maximum age limit for nursery admissions, adherence to the minimum age limit is mandatory.
Read more: What Are The Admission Procedures For Playschools?
Children eligible for admission to Junior KG must be born between 1st January 2020 and 31st December 2020. This class builds on the skills learned in nursery and prepares children for higher grades.
To be eligible for Senior KG, children must be born between 1st January 2019 and 31st December 2019. Senior KG prepares children for the more formal learning environment of Class 1.
For Class 1 admission in Maharashtra for the 2024-25 academic session, children must be born between 1st January 2018 and 31st December 2018. By this age, children have developed the necessary skills and maturity for primary education.
The 2024-25 education policy is largely aimed at providing education to all children starting from the age of three. It is important for parents and guardians to familiarise themselves with the age requirements for pre-primary and preschool admissions in Mumbai before enrolling their children for the next academic year. The revised admission standards in Maharashtra are in line with NEP 2020 norms, which will enable young children to transition smoothly from preschool to higher classes. For more details and assistance with preschool admissions, visit the EuroSchool website.
