Pre-Primary Classes in India: Playgroup, Pre-Nursery, Nursery, LKG and UKG
Updated 10 November 2026
Pre-primary classes are the school years before Class 1, usually for children aged about 2 to 6. In most Indian preschools a child moves from Playgroup or Pre-Nursery to Nursery, then LKG and UKG, and joins Class 1 at about 6 years old. Ages and class names differ from school to school, so use the table below as a guide and confirm with the school you choose.
Pre-primary class ages at a glance
| Class | Usual age | Also called |
|---|---|---|
| Playgroup | 1.5 to 3 years | Toddler group, sometimes Pre-Nursery |
| Pre-Nursery | 2 to 3 years | Sometimes the same class as Playgroup |
| Nursery | 3 to 4 years | Pre-KG, Balvatika 1 |
| LKG | 4 to 5 years | Lower Kindergarten, Junior KG, KG 1, Balvatika 2 |
| UKG | 5 to 6 years | Upper Kindergarten, Senior KG, KG 2, Balvatika 3 |
| Class 1 | 6 years and above | First year of primary school |
What is a preschool?
A preschool is a school for children before Class 1. It can be a standalone play school or the pre-primary section of a larger school. Preschools teach through play, stories, music and hands-on activities, and prepare children for the routine of regular school. Many also run a daycare for working parents, with longer hours after the preschool session ends.
What is Playgroup?
Playgroup is the first class in most preschools, usually for children aged 1.5 to 3. Sessions are short, often two to three hours, and focus on settling away from home, free play, songs, sharing and simple routines.
What is Pre-Nursery?
Pre-nursery is usually for children aged 2 to 3, and many schools use it as another name for playgroup. Children build speaking and listening skills, learn colours and shapes, and practise early motor skills like holding a crayon.
What is Nursery?
Nursery is usually for children aged 3 to 4. Activities become more structured, with pre-reading, counting, drawing and group play. Kendriya Vidyalayas and some other schools call this year Balvatika 1.
What is LKG?
LKG, or Lower Kindergarten, is usually for children aged 4 to 5. It is also called Junior KG or KG 1. Children learn letters and their sounds, numbers, and begin writing practice.
What is UKG?
UKG, or Upper Kindergarten, is usually for children aged 5 to 6. It is also called Senior KG or KG 2. Children start reading simple words and doing early maths, and get ready for Class 1.
LKG and UKG full form
LKG stands for Lower Kindergarten and UKG stands for Upper Kindergarten. KG is short for kindergarten, a German word meaning "children's garden". LKG and UKG are the last two years of preschool before Class 1. Some schools call them Junior KG and Senior KG, or KG 1 and KG 2.
Playgroup vs pre-nursery vs nursery
Playgroup and pre-nursery both come before nursery, and many schools use the two names for the same class. Where a school runs both, playgroup takes the youngest toddlers and pre-nursery takes children aged 2 to 3. Nursery starts at about 3, when activities become more structured and children begin pre-reading and counting.
Admission age and cut-off dates
Schools check your child's age on a cut-off date, often 31 March or 1 June of the year your child joins. The National Education Policy 2020 sets 6 as the age to start Class 1, and most states now follow it, so a child usually joins nursery at 3, LKG at 4 and UKG at 5. Rules still vary by state and board, so check the school's age criteria before you apply.
Many private preschools open admissions between October and January for the academic year starting in April or June. Smaller play schools often admit children all through the year.
How to choose a preschool
- Visit in person and watch a class if you can.
- Ask about the number of children per teacher and caregiver.
- Check safety: CCTV, secure entry, clean toilets and a first-aid plan.
- Ask about the teaching approach, such as play-based, Montessori or a mix.
- Compare timings, daycare options and the distance from home or work.
- Ask for the full fee break-up, including admission, annual and transport fees.
On each school's page on Preschools Near Me you can see its age criteria, timings and contact details, and send an enquiry directly to the school.
Find preschools near you
- Preschools in Bengaluru (Bangalore)
- Preschools in Hyderabad
- Preschools in Thane
- Preschools in Pune
- Preschools in Chennai
- Preschools in Delhi
- Preschools in Mumbai
- Preschools in Gurgaon
- Preschools in Noida
- Preschools in Ahmedabad
- Preschools in Ghaziabad
- Preschools in Kolkata
- Preschools in Lucknow
- Preschools in Jaipur
- Preschools in Indore
- Preschools in Patna
Frequently asked questions
What are pre-primary classes?
Pre-primary classes are the school years before Class 1, usually for children aged about 2 to 6. In most Indian schools they are Playgroup or Pre-Nursery, then Nursery, LKG and UKG.
What is the right age for playgroup?
Most preschools take children into playgroup from about 1.5 to 2 years old, and children usually stay until about 3. Each school sets its own minimum age.
What is the age for pre-nursery?
Pre-nursery is usually for children aged 2 to 3. It is followed by nursery at around 3 years old.
Is pre-nursery the same as playgroup?
In many schools, yes. Both names are used for the class before nursery. Schools that run both usually put younger toddlers in playgroup and 2 to 3 year olds in pre-nursery.
What is the full form of LKG and UKG?
LKG stands for Lower Kindergarten and UKG stands for Upper Kindergarten. They are the two years of kindergarten before Class 1, usually for children aged 4 to 5 and 5 to 6.
What is the full form of KG?
KG stands for Kindergarten, a German word meaning children's garden. In India, KG usually means the LKG and UKG years before Class 1.
What is the age for nursery, LKG and UKG?
Nursery is usually for children aged 3 to 4, LKG for 4 to 5 and UKG for 5 to 6. Children then join Class 1 at about 6.
Are pre-primary classes compulsory in India?
No. The Right to Education Act covers children aged 6 to 14, so preschool is optional. The National Education Policy 2020 does recommend early education from age 3.
What does NEP 2020 call pre-primary classes?
NEP 2020 groups three years of preschool with Classes 1 and 2 as the foundational stage, for ages 3 to 8. Some schools, such as Kendriya Vidyalayas, call the three preschool years Balvatika 1, 2 and 3.
How is the admission age calculated?
Schools check your child's age on a cut-off date, often 31 March or 1 June of the admission year. The cut-off and minimum age differ by state and school, so check with the school before applying.