When should I enrol my child to go to school?

Your child can start school or kura in New Zealand between age five and six. All children must be enrolled at school by their sixth birthday.

When your child has started at school or kura, they must go to school every day. This is a change from the earlier rule, where regular attendance was required only from age six.

Enrolling early helps the school or kura with their planning. As soon as you've decided on a school or kura get in touch with them to enrol your child, arrange a time for your child to start and arrange some visits to get your child used to school or kura.




How do I enrol my child? What paperwork do I need to provide?

You enrol directly with the school or kura. Contact them to find out their enrolment process, and to get their enrolment forms.

Documents for enrolling

Check with the school to see what paperwork they want. They will want things like: