Some questions - Moving to Dubai in Feb | ExpatWoman.com
 

Some questions - Moving to Dubai in Feb

323
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 09 January 2011 - 14:38

Hi ladies,

I am moving to Dubai with my husband and two toddlers in early March, and have a few questions I'd love you to help me with! We will be looking for a Villa either in the Umm Suqeim area or the Meadows area.

1. Housemaid/nanny - does anyone know of someone who is looking for a job starting March/April; I would really prefer to hire someone who comes recommended by a previous employer rather than one who recommends herself!

2. Playschools/nurseries - any recommendations for a small playschool? I just need a few hours a day for my daughter who is 3, either 3 or 5 days a week and would like a small homely environment for the short term.

3. Clarity on school system - we are moving from South Africa where the school year starts in January, we'll be looking for a Bristish based school so I'm a bit confused! In SA kids start Grade One in the year they turn 7 (Gr0 when they turn 6 and Gr00 when they turn 5). Can anyone clarify for me how this relates to the British System... basically, her birthday is 31 Oct so what year will we enrol her this September?

4. Apart from Umm Suqeim and the Meadows areas, are there any other areas you'd recommend? We visited last December and viewed a few houses in these vicinities which we liked. My husband will be working in Jebel Ali so access needs to be convenient.

Thanks for any input as it will be appreciated!!

:)

323
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 09 January 2011 - 22:00
Thank you so much, that's so helpful!! :) <em>edited by mk-in-dubai on 09/01/2011</em>
51
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 09 January 2011 - 15:29
Welcome MK! If your daughter only turned 3 in October then she will only be eligible for FS1 in September. School wait lists are heavily over subscribed especially for FS1 so the best thing you can do is select a few schools and get her name down as soon as possible. Some British curriculum schools to look at are Safa, Horizion& DBS. Unless you have debentures through your husband's company you won't get in at JESS. For nursery in the meantime I would recommend Seashells in Al Barsha. It is a good location for both Umm Sequiem and the Lakes too. It also offers FS1 so that may buy you some time if you can't get her in at another school. Good luck. Lots of Saffers here!!!
247
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 09 January 2011 - 15:25
I found the school thing very confusing here to begin with, I'm getting the hang of it now, I think LOL. For the british school: FS1/KG1 (different schools call it different things) - 3 yrs turning 4yrs FS2/KG2/Reception - 4yrs turning 5yrs So her birthday is in October so in Sept 2011 she can start with FS1, as other posters have said it is usually best to get them in for FS1 so that they have a definite place for FS2. FS1 can be done at certain nursery schools and then they move to big school for FS2 but some schools have long wait list which is why it is better to try to get them into the school from FS1.
1913
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 09 January 2011 - 15:13
Hi Being already 3, your daughter will be eligible for FS1/Nursery year in many British Curriculum Schools. Many schools start at this age. The children have to have turned 3 by the beginning of September, so your DD will be one of the older ones. The only schools not to start at this age are I think Jebel Ali and DESS. They start at FS2 or Reception. The problem with waiting till FS2 is that those in FS! take all the places and there are often only a few extra available in FS2 and these are often taken by siblings.
426
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 09 January 2011 - 14:55
Welcome! Can't help with 1. 2. I can recommend Children's Oasis as DS is currently there and DD will be going too. 3. Entry level places in all schools here are oversubscribed so you need to get her on the wait list as soon as possible for a start in September 2012 (the academic year that she turns 5). 4. Lakes is nice too, or Garden View Villas in Jebel Ali. Hope your move goes well. :)
 
 

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