Best Nursery Schools in Delhi

The Directorate of Education (DoE), Government of NCT of Delhi, has announced a major restructuring in the foundational stage of school education. Beginning with the academic session 2026–27, Delhi schools will implement a uniform age of 6+ years for admission to Class 1, in line with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.

This restructuring also defines new age criteria for the pre-primary levels — Nursery, Lower KG, and Upper KG — now referred to as Balvatika 1, Balvatika 2, and Balvatika 3 respectively. The change aims to strengthen foundational learning and bring Delhi’s school admission structure in alignment with national standards.

• Nursery (Balvatika 1): Child should be 3+ years as on 31 March 2026

• Lower KG (Balvatika 2): Child should be 4+ years as on 31 March 2026

• Upper KG (Balvatika 3): Child should be 5+ years as on 31 March 2026

• Class 1: Child should be 6+ years as on 31 March 2026

These age bands will apply to all private unaided recognized schools in Delhi. Parents are advised to carefully check the date of birth range published by each school at the time of admission.

Delhi private unaided recognized schools follow the DoE guidelines for seat allocation, which include:

• General Category: Open seats allocated through the points-based system

• EWS/DG Category: 25% seats reserved under the Economically Weaker Section and Disadvantaged Group

• Children with Disabilities: Reservation as per existing government norms

Each school is required to publish its admission criteria and points system, outlining the weightage for factors such as:

• Distance or neighbourhood

• Sibling studying in the same school

• Alumni parent(s)

• Girl child or first-born child

• Staff ward (if applicable)

Parents should review each school’s criteria before applying.

At the time of form submission and verification, parents generally need to provide the following documents:

• Child’s birth certificate (for age proof)

• Residential address proof (Aadhaar card, voter ID, passport, or utility bill)

• Sibling proof (if applicable — school ID card or fee receipt)

• Alumni proof (for alumni quota, if applicable)

• Disability certificate (for children applying under the disability quota)

It is advisable to keep scanned copies of all documents ready before the registration window opens.

1. Check Eligibility: Verify your child’s age as per the class and DoE guidelines.

2. Fill Application Form: Complete the school’s online admission form during the registration window.

3. Review Point Matrix: Check how your child scores based on the school’s published admission criteria.

4. First List Publication: Schools release a list of shortlisted candidates based on the point system.

5. Second List and Waiting List: Additional lists may be released if seats remain vacant.

6. Document Verification and Admission: Parents must visit the school with original documents for final verification and fee submission.

• Track Official Updates: Keep an eye on the DoE official website and school notice boards starting mid-November 2025.

• Prepare Documents Early: Ensure all proofs (birth, address, sibling, etc.) are up to date and valid.

• Apply to Multiple Schools: Increase your chances of admission by applying to several schools within your locality.

• Understand the Point System: Each school assigns different weightage — knowing this helps in shortlisting realistic options.

• Follow Deadlines: Late submissions are not accepted under DoE regulations.

Q1. When will Delhi Nursery Admission 2026–27 begin?
The admission process is expected to begin in late November 2025, following the DoE’s official circular.

Q2. What is the age limit for Nursery admission in 2026–27?
For Nursery (Balvatika 1), the child must be at least 3 years old as on 31 March 2026.

Q3. Has the age for Class 1 changed?
Yes. From the 2026–27 session, the minimum age for Class 1 admission is 6+ years, as per DoE’s uniform age policy.

Q4. How are seats allotted in private schools?
Seats are allotted using a 100-point system based on criteria such as distance, sibling, alumni, and girl child preference.

Q5. How many schools can parents apply to?
Parents can apply to multiple schools as long as the applications are within the official timelines and each school’s eligibility criteria are met.

The Delhi Nursery Admission 2026–27 session marks a major transition in early childhood education, emphasizing readiness and developmental appropriateness. Parents are encouraged to stay informed, plan early, and ensure timely submission of forms and documents.

For the latest updates, visit the DoE Delhi official website and track verified school pages on UniApply for real-time information on admission dates, eligibility, and seat availability.