Is KG1/FS1 compulsory. New to Dxb with 4.5yo - no previous schooling. | ExpatWoman.com
 

Is KG1/FS1 compulsory. New to Dxb with 4.5yo - no previous schooling.

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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 19 December 2011 - 15:02

Is KG1/FS1 compulsory?

We are new to Dubai. In our country school does not start until the child is 5yo, with the equivalent of FS2/KG2. My son is 4.5 (born in july). We have been here since April - so he has no previous formal schooling (we did not have visas in time for a start in 2011) He attended a registered 3yo kindergarten in our country in 2010/2011, but nothing since then. What are my options? In september will he be expected to enrol in KG1/FS1 as a 5 year old?! Or would be admitted to KG2/FS2 without the KG1/FS1? Or if we could find a place somewhere - could he start in the January 2012 term somewhere in either KG1/FS1? Or would it be a more accessible/realistic option to complete the remaining 2 terms of KG1/FS1 in a nursery this year - and aim for a KG1/FS1 place in a school starting in Sept 2012?

Sorry if these are stupid questions :\:

41
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 23 December 2011 - 08:11
Hi again Punch, jst replied u on another thread. Want u to know its not only parents who are new to Dubai facing problems with school admissions. I ve been in Dubai for a while - still had to struggle with same issue. Apply to as many schools for Sept - and try to relax - dont let the stress affect ur child. Dubai needs more schools - any one listening
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 21 December 2011 - 13:56
As an aside - do they expect all arabic-background to study arabic at an advanced level, or just emiratis? DS's father is arabic, but not emirati. We are are divorced now though (hence 8 month-long saga for me to sponsor him myself), so DS doesnt have much arabic. I actually would not mind him doing extra classes, as I want him to learn as much arabic as possible while still young. I just don't want them to judge it as something he is "behind" on, due to arabic background.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 21 December 2011 - 12:40
Jeepers. I knew there were school shortages - I had no idea it was this bad. I'll call Fiona today. Amyaus - what a horror story! I'm glad to hear you were able to sort it out and he's happy at school now. Must have been so stressful. So you found it easier finding a place for your DD based on social skills rather than academic? I was assuming it would be the opposite. There is no way my DS could do some of those things you've mentioned on the assessments. Not yet anyway.
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 21 December 2011 - 11:38
Definately recommend you contact Fiona Coutts. She helped us navigate the Dubai education system with a 6.5 year old from Australia with an August birthday. A bit of a problem as he'd only done pre-primary and should be going to year 2 based on his age alone. we have decided on a year 1 placement and with Fiona's help have him starting school in 2 weeks in a British curriculum school. He will be a bit behind academically but he will be the oldest (he's not very big either so that shouldn't be too much of a problem).
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 21 December 2011 - 03:27
The annoying thing is his birthday is right at the end of July (29th). If most schools cut off the ages in Aug or September - he is not only going to be up against children with 1-2 years more school experience than him, but he will also be among the youngest in the class, by a almost a full year in some cases? Really sorry about your situation. Maybe you could try IB schools then - most of them have cut-off age in December, so it'll be a bit easier for him.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 20 December 2011 - 22:12
thanks taco, I'll check it out. An FS2 start might be worth considering for my DS, too. Originally I was stressing that FS1 was compulsory and they would start him off there. But I would also hate to put him in year 1 based on age, and then have him struggle and lose confidence. Its a difficult decision.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 20 December 2011 - 21:54
I'm going to apply everywhere. Literally. Lol. I'll take whatever they give me and transfer later, if need be. Has anyone ever not received a school place anywhere whatsoever?? That would be awful. A few sleepless nights ahead of me, it seems. DS was in 3 year old kinder in Australia - but I'm not sure if that will further our cause. I'm not too worried socially, as he's one of those kids who strikes up conversations with complete strangers (whether they like it or not, lol). But in terms of writing, name spelling - other children his age in school are no doubt going to have an advantage. He can recite the alphabet, count to the low teens - but is nowhere near writing his name. He can only recognize a few letters on paper, and write a couple. He's a wizz at jigsaw puzzles though - whips through 75pcs easily. What types of things do they generally assess at the interviews? The annoying thing is his birthday is right at the end of July (29th). If most schools cut off the ages in Aug or September - he is not only going to be up against children with 1-2 years more school experience than him, but he will also be among the youngest in the class, by a almost a full year in some cases? It was the opposite in Australia - he is just after the cut-off, so would be the among the eldest by a year. Poor kiddo. Better start reciting the alphabet to him in his sleep, lol.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 20 December 2011 - 21:28
There are a couple of education consultants that can help with admission in this difficult environment. Check out this link, and if you need more info let me know http://www.linkedin.com/pub/fiona-coutts/13/981/15 Fiona was fabulous and helped us with schools - without her I think we would have been in a big bind, anyway it is another option to consider. I had a son the same age and although age approp for year 1 in the Brit system, we placed him in FS2 and he has been doing well. <em>edited by tacobelle on 20/12/2011</em>
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 20 December 2011 - 13:37
Thank for the info guys. Have been calling around - doesn't look like there is any chance for January start. I figured surely people come and go throughout the year so there was a chance a spot might come up somewhere and I could get a foot in ahead of those who aren't looking to start until Sept 2012, but apparently this is an impossibility. The good news is it seems most places will admit him next year to KG2 for US system and Year 1 for UK system (you were spot on dramaqn). He just would need to pass the basic entry test, so they recommended enrolling in a good nursery. Bad news is I will be amongst the great masses on waiting lists trying to get a place for the beginning of next year. People switch schools all the time mid-year/mid-term in Australia - guess I still haven't learnt the lesson that nothing is ever that easy in Dubai! All I can say is thank God he's still this young - any older and he would have ended up an entire year behind. :\:
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 19 December 2011 - 19:19
I might be wrong but as far as I know your DS should be now in FS2/[b'>KG1[/b'>. Try the schools even if they are not that famous and might find the place for DS for Jan 2012. The only nursery I know that offer FS2 is Children's Garden in Jumeira, but it's expensive. As other posters said it might be not compulsory to put DS into school now, only in September 2012, but you need to make sure that he is up to the level (knows the alphabets, counting, etc. according to the program)
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 19 December 2011 - 17:04
Yes - we've been put in a bit of a sticky spot having our visa messed around for so long. Is it acceptable to enter school at Year 1 without having KG2? Or if not - does anyone know which nurseries offer KG2? Kind of desperate - I don't want him to end up behind :(
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 19 December 2011 - 16:20
Hi there To answer your question, KS1/FS1 is not compulsory and you can start straight into FS2 although places are really scarce especially in good schools. Having said that if your son is 4.5 he should actually be in FS2/KG2 now. It will be impossible I think to find a place for FS2 for January. Which means that you will need to find him a place for Year 1 next September. I am not sure if it is feasible to start year 1 without having done the FS stages. You could try to find a nursery that does FS2 so he would at least have 6 months at FS2 level. I think you need to sort out his schooling asap as it is a nightmare to find places anywhere...sorry for being honest!
 
 

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