When should my child start nursery in Dehradun?

Most children in Dehradun start nursery between three and three and a half. That is a fine average, but the calendar is the least useful signal you have.

Three better signals than age

• Your child can be away from you for an hour without distress, for example with a grandparent or neighbour.
• They show interest in other children, even if they play alongside rather than with them.
• They can follow a simple two step instruction such as "pick up the cup and put it on the table".

If two of the three are true, your child is ready for a gentle start. If none are, a playgroup year first gives them the social confidence nursery assumes.

What a gentle start looks like

At Skill-ed we begin with short days, a parent nearby for the first week, and the same teacher every morning. Children who start this way usually settle within ten school days. Children who are dropped for a full day on day one often take a month.

Starting mid-year is fine

Parents worry about joining after April. In practice a small class absorbs a new child easily, and a child who is ready in October is better served than one who waits until the next April simply to match the calendar.

Age eligibility at Skill-ed

Playgroup takes children from two years, Nursery from three, LKG from four and UKG from five, counted on 31 March of the admission year. You can see the full table on our fees and eligibility page.

Unsure where your child fits? Bring them for a tour. Watching them in a real classroom for twenty minutes tells you more than any checklist.