DepEd amends kindergarten admission policy guidelines

The Department of Education has changed the enrollment procedures for kindergarten that will take effect starting school year 2025-2026. 

Children who will turn 5 years old from November 1 to December 31 of every school year may be considered as Kindergarten learners in public and private schools based on the DepEd Order No. 15, s. 2025 which is the Amendment to DepEd Order No. 47, s. 2016 as Amended by DepEd Order No. 20, s. 2018. 

They must meet the following conditions:

1. Children shall have completed an Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) Program for one (1) school year. Copies of Certificate of Completion/ Attendance of the learners' previous ECCD program experience from a public or private Child Development Centers (CDCs)/ Learning Centers (LCs) that are granted with permit or recognition shall be submitted by parents or legal guardians; or

2. Undergo the Philippine Early Childhood and Development (ECD) Checklist during the enrollment period until the first week of the school year in order to ensure that the learners are capable of meeting the expectations of the kindergarten level. The Kindergarten teachers of the receiving schools shall administer the ECD checklist, and the results shall be the basis in admission.