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EWmums

EWfood

ewmoda

Should we send her to school? Going around in circles!

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587

Posts

EW GURU

Latest post on 24 August 2011 - 18:23

Job ..nursery ....agency maid sorted. Don't sponsor get a live in from an agency . Thank you ladies for a wide spectrum of views. FCY - sounds like a succinct plan, and my current one. Spongemonkey - no we would stay here if we sponsored, assuming I get a job! Our Souls - believe me that has crossed my mind, but I do not want to give up too soon as DH is getting good experience in his job. Child care in Australia is subsidised by the government.

127

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 24 August 2011 - 17:59

How about NOT working and being at home with both for another year or so? They don't all have to be in " school" from an early age......... enjoy your time with them now and start planning for next year or the following? Of course that would be my preference, but we have financial commitments at home and it is costing us money to live here. Yes, my research before coming here was lacking! It is costing us to live here. Downsizing come February is another option, as is moving back home! I think your best bet would be to move home. Health care, Education and child minders all cost money, at home they’re free (presuming you have family to help with the children) Dubai is not a place to be if money is tight.

fairycakeyumm21878

2239

Posts

EW EXPERT

Latest post on 24 August 2011 - 17:55

Job ..nursery ....agency maid sorted. Don't sponsor get a live in from an agency .

mk-in-dubai36686

323

Posts

EW EXPLORER

Latest post on 24 August 2011 - 17:51

It is a tough one, TwoKids, these decisions are never easy! I would also say go for a nursery, preferably one that does FS1 and/or does aftercare. Not sure where you live but The Meadows Nursery in the Hayya next to small Spinneys does afternoon nursery which may help with your hours. Probably cheaper than school? They are part of Jebel Ali nurseries so maybe there is one near you. Wishing you all the best!

mk-in-dubai36686

323

Posts

EW EXPLORER

Latest post on 24 August 2011 - 17:51

It is a tough one, TwoKids, these decisions are never easy! I would also say go for a nursery, preferably one that does FS1 and/or does aftercare. Not sure where you live but The Meadows Nursery in the Hayya next to small Spinneys does afternoon nursery which may help with your hours. Probably cheaper than school? They are part of Jebel Ali nurseries so maybe there is one near you. Wishing you all the best!

spongemonkey980

4329

Posts

EW MASTER

Latest post on 24 August 2011 - 17:39

So you are going to pay out approx 7000 dhs + to sponsor a helper plus all that entails, salary etc when you may leave in Feb? Cost of petrol, work clothes, school fees, nursery fees, extra petrol....will you be in profit?

587

Posts

EW GURU

Latest post on 24 August 2011 - 13:32

Get a job first and sort child care out afterwards when you can afford it. I am sorry but I don't agree with this statement. The posters first and main priority should be the care of her children. Childcare should never be an after thought or something arranged in a blind panic. Yes, this is exactly why I am going around in circles! My DD does experience anxiety in new situations, like being left at school/nursery so part of me wants to help settle her in. I have asked my DH to take time off when I start work, but it is not the same as Mummy Arohadxb - thank you for your suggestions. You have been very helpful. Another factor is that DH's work will pay for term 3 this year in a school but not a nursery! I am thinking about interviewing for a helper in the meantime but am concerned that I have my priorities wrong ie. more expense. :(

25

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 24 August 2011 - 09:27

Get a job first and sort child care out afterwards when you can afford it. I am sorry but I don't agree with this statement. The posters first and main priority should be the care of her children. Childcare should never be an after thought or something arranged in a blind panic.

2322

Posts

EW EXPERT

Latest post on 24 August 2011 - 07:23

Ok, here is a strategy for you: You say Braedenton was a stop gap school because too expensive in the other years? Skip FS1, and research your schools of pref. and get lil miss on the waitlists/assessed for next september intake into FS2. Some nurseries do FS1, have space, do a full year and full days for working parents. (Blossom springs to mind) IF you get yourself a job in the next 12 months before lil miss is due to start school, you can pop her into nursery..no harm, no foul. This means, that if money is tight, you're not paying out unneccessarily, you start paying for school/nursery when you start being paid for your work and you are no further out of pocket. If downsizing come feb (take it that is the end of your current lease?) start looking now for your preferred areas/houses/apartments so you can make smart decisions re: proximity to school of choice. added bonus to lil miss starting school next year...your husbands company will pay her fees. If worried about your daughters socialising..perhaps look into the jebel ali playgroup? friends took all their lil ones there and highly rated it. Not sure if the EW mums still have their playgroups round and about? that info must be somewhere.

587

Posts

EW GURU

Latest post on 24 August 2011 - 06:53

How about NOT working and being at home with both for another year or so? They don't all have to be in " school" from an early age......... enjoy your time with them now and start planning for next year or the following? Of course that would be my preference, but we have financial commitments at home and it is costing us money to live here. Yes, my research before coming here was lacking! It is costing us to live here. Downsizing come February is another option, as is moving back home!

spongemonkey980

4329

Posts

EW MASTER

Latest post on 23 August 2011 - 23:44

How about NOT working and being at home with both for another year or so? They don't all have to be in " school" from an early age......... enjoy your time with them now and start planning for next year or the following?

587

Posts

EW GURU

Latest post on 23 August 2011 - 23:42

Get a job first and sort child care out afterwards when you can afford it. Thank you, that is my current strategy! When you live in Dubai it can be your only strategy, nothing is worth getting into debt for. Wise words!

374

Posts

EW EXPLORER

Latest post on 23 August 2011 - 23:21

Get a job first and sort child care out afterwards when you can afford it. Thank you, that is my current strategy! When you live in Dubai it can be your only strategy, nothing is worth getting into debt for.

587

Posts

EW GURU

Latest post on 23 August 2011 - 23:12

Get a job first and sort child care out afterwards when you can afford it. Thank you, that is my current strategy!

374

Posts

EW EXPLORER

Latest post on 23 August 2011 - 23:09

Get a job first and sort child care out afterwards when you can afford it.

374

Posts

EW EXPLORER

Latest post on 23 August 2011 - 23:08

Get a job first and sort child care out afterwards when you can afford it.

Pomegranate35436

867

Posts

EW GURU

Latest post on 23 August 2011 - 22:27

You may find it very difficult - if not impossible - to get another school place for this year. But if you are reliant on your (new) job to pay for the fees then its possibly not worth getting into financial stress for. I suggest you just hope for the best and see what happens, and hopefully things will work out later on. Good luck to find a job.

498

Posts

EW EXPLORER

Latest post on 23 August 2011 - 22:18

Hi TwoKids - I would only put DD into school if you KNOW you can afford it if you don't find work. On the other hand, why don't you speak to the school about your predicament. My DD went to WIS last year and they had big signs/banners offering assistance with paying school fees if you needed help. I don't suppose you can get your DD's place back?? Which school was it?

656

Posts

EW GURU

Latest post on 23 August 2011 - 22:06

Hi, I would only say that if you have withdrawn your DD from FS1 you might find it hard to get her a place next September in FS2. DD will be starting in FS1 in September and one of the reasons I am going to let her go is that she has been offered a place most of her little mates do not have a place in FS1. With regard to your situation bearing in mind you haven't actually found a job yet and you are planning to go full time - maybe you should look at taking your time to hire a helper for when you do start a job. DD can always go to nursery 3 days a week or even 2 days a week. I only had DD at nursery 3 days a week and the other two the maid had her. Good luck in finding a job. x

587

Posts

EW GURU

Latest post on 23 August 2011 - 21:52

Hi, as you probably know, I am looking for work, although it has been quiet over summer. My DD was registered at a school, for September 2011, but I withdrew her, as I did not find a job in time to help finance it. She is pre-kg or FS1. I am now doubting my decision because if get a job during term 1, I will then need to find a nursery or school, start her hastily, and will probably have to pay a full term of school fees anyway. All of her 3 yo friends are going to school. Another option is to send DD to nursery 3 days, which is a little cheaper. I also have a DS. I am undecided whether to have DD in nursery all day, or go to school for half a day and then come home to be supervised by a helper (which we do not have yet). This is only in the event I get a job. I would prefer to have them both in nursery but this is expensive and I'm not sure how I will manage the household without some assistance. The other factor is that we may move house in February and may not be as close to the school.... Should I be optimistic that I will get a job and start DD in school/nursery or be cautious and just wait and see? Any advice is appreciated, as my head is just spinning at the moment, and school is due to start.

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