The Department of Education (DepEd) has released a new order on June 4, 2025, changing the age requirement for incoming kindergarten learners.
DepEd mandates that children must be five years old by October 31, 2025, to enroll in kindergarten for School Year 2025–2026. However, there is some flexibility. Children who turn five between November 1 and December 31 may still be admitted, but only under certain conditions.
According to the order, these children must either:
- Have completed an Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) program for one school year. Parents must provide a certificate from a recognized Child Development Center or Learning Center.
- Or undergo the Philippine Early Childhood and Development (ECD) Checklist. This will be done during enrollment up to the first week of school. Kindergarten teachers will administer the checklist, and the results will help determine the child's readiness.
"The results shall be the basis of the school in admission to Kindergarten. Further, the accomplished checklist shall form part of the records of the learner," stated DepEd. This new order repeals previous DepEd Order No. 20, s. 2018.
If you have a child entering kindergarten this school year, prepare any required documents as early as possible. Work closely with your child's preschool or daycare provider to help make the transition to big school smoother.
ECCD Program
The ECCD program prepares pre-kindergarten children for formal schooling. It is conducted in barangay-based Child Development Centers through structured, play-based activities that support a smooth transition to formal education.
The program focuses on key developmental areas such as health and physical growth, language and cognitive skills, social-emotional learning, and values formation.
Children who complete the program receive a certificate during a mass recognition ceremony.
Click here to learn more about the kindergarten curriculum in the Philippines.
More from sp
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipisicing elit, sed do eiusmod
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipisicing elit, sed do eiusmod
