KG1 is the year a child starts school, and the year most families in Abu Dhabi think hardest about. This page answers the practical questions first: whether your child is old enough for 2026-2027, what a KG1 day at Maplewood actually looks like, what it costs, and how the day is stretched for working parents.
Maplewood's Kindergarten follows the Alberta Education programme through play: story, song, movement, craft and free play, led by Canadian-certified early years teachers in Mohamed Bin Zayed City. The aim of KG1 is confidence, so that a child arrives in KG2 and Grade 1 excited to come to school.
Is my child old enough?
Under the UAE framework for 2026-2027, a child joining KG1 must turn four by 31 December 2026. Children born late in 2021 who missed the previous year's cut-off may be considered for KG1 or KG2 on a readiness assessment. Placement always rests with the school's own assessment and the seats available, so if your child's birthday is close to the line, ask the registrar rather than assume.
What a KG1 day looks like
- The school day runs 7:30 AM to 3:30 PM, Monday to Thursday, and 7:30 AM to 12:00 PM on Friday
- Learning is play-based: story and song, craft, movement, outdoor play and free play, with early reading and number work woven through
- Arabic, Islamic Studies and Moral Education begin in KG1, as ADEK requires, alongside English as the language of instruction
- An interactive screen in every instructional space and a swimming pool and gymnasium on campus
- Small children, familiar adults: the same Canadian-certified teacher through the year
Longer days for working parents
KG1 and KG2 children can stay until the Grades 1 to 12 dismissal time through the After School Care Programme. It is deliberately not academic: arts and crafts, storytime, music and movement, outdoor play and free play, supervised by our own staff. School transport is available to KG1 and KG2, one-way or two-way, run by a dedicated transport team under Department of Transport regulations.
How to apply
- Book a tour and see the Kindergarten rooms with your child
- Complete the registration form with your child's passport, visa, Emirates ID, birth certificate, vaccination record and photographs
- A short readiness assessment, then confirmation of the place and the registration fee
Coming from nursery
Children at Maplewood Canadian International Nursery, a short walk from the school, move straight into KG1 here; the nursery's Adventurers group is built as the year before KG1. Children from any other nursery are welcome to apply in the same way, and one campus from Nursery to Grade 12 means this is the last time you need to choose a school.
Mr. David Parsons
Principal
Principal’s message
I believe schools thrive when there is mutual respect, clear expectations and a shared commitment to high standards.
Frequently asked questions
No. KG1 is where those foundations are built through play. The readiness assessment looks at how a child settles, listens and joins in, not at what they already know.
Your child is welcomed by their class teacher, introduced to classmates and walked through the daily routine. Our Primary and Middle School Coordinators keep in touch with new families through the first weeks to make sure the transition goes smoothly.
Yes. A sibling discount of 10% applies to the second child and 5% to the youngest child. Holders of an Esaad, Fazaa, Mazaya, Homat Al Watan or Etihad Airways card receive 15%. Tell the admissions team which card you hold, or email registrar@maplewood.school with your employer details, and they will apply the discount to your account.
The official school uniform is worn for all regular classes, with a separate P.E. uniform for physical education. Grades K-6 may wear P.E. kit all day on their timetabled day; Grades 7 to 12 change for each gym class. On theme or free-dress days, modest and culturally appropriate attire is still required. The uniform shop on campus opens on Wednesdays and Thursdays from 7:15 AM to 4:00 PM, and answers uniform questions on WhatsApp at +971 50 339 8806.
Yes. Maplewood Canadian International School is committed to inclusive learning environments. Where a student needs extra help, teachers put an individual plan in place and work with our Student Services Coordinator and the family to review progress.
We operate an on-site clinic staffed during school hours, follow ADEK health and safety requirements, and maintain cleaning routines across classrooms, laboratories, the canteen and sports facilities.