Republic Act 10157, or "The Kindergarten Education Law" made Kindergarten the compulsory and mandatory entry stage to basic education. Section 2 of this Act provides that all five (5)-year old children shall be given equal opportunities for Kindergarten Education to effectively promote their physical, social, emotional and intellectual development, including values formation so they will be ready for school. This was so since the Department of Education (DepEd) believes that Kindergarten is the transition period from informal to formal literacy (Grades 1-12) considering that age five (5) is within the critical years where positive experiences must be nurtured to ascertain school readiness.

Elementary education is compulsory and free. It provides basic education to pupils aged six to eleven and it consists of six years of study. Elementary education includes Grades 1 to 6. After completing the six-year elementary program, learners receive a certificate of graduation. The elementary curriculum provides various learning experiences that will enable learners to acquire basic knowledge, skills, values, attitudes, and habits essential for lifelong learning.