Nursery to Class 1 Admissions: Indicative Timelines for the 2026 Academic Session

Parents of tiny tots and little wonders: buckle up your sleeves as your kids are ready to embark upon their wonderful academic journey soon. We at Billabong High International School are here to educate you about the admission protocols and timelines, so you do not get anxious about your kids’ admission hassles.

It is always great to make hay while the sun shines, so here we are, to help you make informed choices and take the right steps at the right time. We will cover everything from nursery admission timelines, Class 1 admission dates and school enrolment deadlines in the most lucid way possible. Our motto to curate this article is simple: You, as a hardworking, endearing and doting parent, must be at peace, fully aware and cognizant of everything that you need to know.

Preschool and Class 1: One Big Umbrella

• Preschool: Everything from Playgroup, Nursery, Junior KG, to Senior KG and falls under the ambit of preschool.
• Class 1 and beyond: After a kid successfully completes the Senior KG, he or she steps into the Class 1 journey at Billabong High International School.

We just chose two different flagship names to segregate preschool from high school. Also, when you enrol your children in an in-house preschool, you ensure a smooth transition to the higher classes starting from Class 1. You need not be on a hunting spree after senior KG is completed. Most parents choose two different labels for nursery and high school, which causes a lot of logistics and financial burdens. We have tried to smooth your child’s learning journey by integrating both sessions under one big umbrella.

Age Criteria for Your Blooming Buds

Grade Age Requirement (by Dec 31, 2026)

• Nursery: 3+ Years
• KG: 4+ Years
• KG: 5+ Years
• Class 1: 6+ Years

At Billabong High International School across branches, we are very strict about the age criteria of the kids, as we want every kid to attain the right age to be ready to take up academic challenges. Also, we want uniformity in ages so they gel well with their peers during their growing-up years.

The Nursery to Class 1 Admission Timelines Across Our Branches

Awareness (September – October 2025): Admissions officially open. At the time of publication of this blog, we have stepped into January, so we are sure you are well prepared for the next steps of admission.

Form Submission (November – January 2026): You can visit the nearest school premises to get the admission kit or pay a registration fee of Rs 1500 to see the full brochure and fee structure.

Assessments (December – February 2026):

• Nursery: We have an informal “interaction” with a teacher, which we like to keep like a play-date rather than anything strict or official.
• Class 1: We conduct a “Competency Level Test” (CLT) to see if the child is ready for primary school. The results of this test are revealed within 48 to 72 hours of taking the test, so you are relieved of the anxiety of a yes or a no within a very short span of time.

Closure (March 2026): This is the deadline for paying the admission fee for the academic year. Most seats are filled by late Feb/early March. Some branches start their academic sessions from March, and some start the sessions in June.

Mandatory Documents Required for a Successful Admission

You need to keep the following documents with you for a smooth admission procedure:

• Birth Certificate
• Address Proof
• Parent ID Proofs
• Additionally, for Class 1: The child’s last two years’ report cards

The “Nitty-Gritty” of Holistic Fitment

Now that you are aware of the details regarding admission timelines, let us highlight some of the nitty-gritty that the school focuses on while securing admission for your child. While many schools focus solely on entrance exams, Billabong High and its preschool, emphasises a “Holistic Fitment” model. For the Nursery to Class 1 bracket, the school isn’t looking for a child who can recite the periodic table; they are looking for developmental readiness and family alignment.

1. The “Informal Interaction” (Nursery & KG) For the youngest learners, the “test” is essentially an observation. Teachers look for age-appropriate social skills: Can the child follow a simple instruction? Do they interact with peers? This is less about “intelligence” and more about emotional readiness for a structured school environment.
2. The Competency Level Test (CLT) for Class 1 As students transition to Grade 1, the school introduces the CLT. This isn’t a pass/fail high-stakes exam. Its primary goal is to assess “grade fitment”—checking if the child’s foundational literacy and numeracy skills align with the Billabong curriculum. They focus on conceptual understanding rather than rote memorisation.
3. Parent Orientation & Family Alignment Perhaps the most overlooked “nitty-gritty” is the Parent Orientation. Billabong places a high value on a “partnership” with parents. They assess whether the family’s educational philosophy matches the school’s “innovation-led” approach. If you’re a parent who prefers traditional, textbook-only learning, the school uses this session to show you why their interdisciplinary model might be a different experience.
4. The “First-Come, First-Served” Reality Finally, it is important to remember that because Billabong operates on an Open Entry Policy, the biggest “nitty-gritty” is simply timing. They do not filter forms based on academic prestige; they grant admissions based on the order of application. This is why a physical visit to buy the ₹1,500 kit early in the season is the most critical hurdle for parents to clear.

An Afterword

As if parenting were sans challenges, taking this vital step for parents to enrol their kids into the best school that fits their cultural, financial and intellectual needs is a Himalayan task. Kudos to your sacrifices and endeavours that are helping you shape and nurture the future of our world. The young scientists, musicians, artists, engineers, doctors, CEOs, marketers and creators are in the right hands for sure. Being aware of the school enrollment deadlines will help you navigate the challenge easily.

We take immense pride in being categorised as one of the Best CBSE Schools in Malad, Best Cambridge Schools in Mulund, and Best Cambridge Schools in Juhu and Best CBSE Schools in Hadapsar. Earning this label hasn’t been a one-day journey. It has taken us years of toil, research, commitment and love towards young minds to create a safe and nourishing environment where brilliant minds take shape.

Our “School of Innovation” philosophy is more than just a tagline; it is the heartbeat of our classrooms. We believe that education should go beyond the chalkboard, sparking curiosity and building the resilience needed for the 21st century. When you choose Billabong High, you aren’t just enrolling your child in a school; you are joining a community dedicated to holistic growth, where every milestone is celebrated, and every student is empowered to become a lifelong learner and a global citizen.

At Billabong High International School, we believe in imparting the best of knowledge in every field of study. Visit us to learn how we help every child bring out the best, so they become confident and kind individuals.