Wellington Int vs Dubai American Academy - dilemma - love some advice | ExpatWoman.com
 

Wellington Int vs Dubai American Academy - dilemma - love some advice

498
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 09 May 2011 - 17:05

I currently have my DD in WIS, and have my DS enrolled in FS1 in Sep. But the FS1 is only half day and no after school care while waiting for sibling. Need to do the school run 3 times a day! I work from home so this is inconceivable. But, I much prefer the British curriculum because my DD has already been following it.

I also managed to get a place in Sep for both kids at DAA - their Pre-KG has an after school program for siblings, AND they even provide a special midday bus for the little ones, or they can travel with this siblings on the bus. WIS do not offer this at all.

Concerned about the differences in curriculum for my DD for her peer group (6-7 yrs), and so far she adores WIS. Me too. But my life will be ****!

Please advise....help me make up my mind as I know places are hard to come by and feeling very guilty about holding place when other families are in panic mode - I too went through that so want to be fair and decide ASAP!

1511
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 15 May 2011 - 12:13
Personally i would never trust a driver to get my children or have a maid get them. Your DD could go on the school bus home for WIS. What is the point of working if you have to employ all these people?
498
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 15 May 2011 - 09:09
Hi Everyone, thanks for the input... it is greatly appreciated. We have just found ourselves a maid and so some afternoon help with my 3 yr old will be a great help. So I think I will keep my DD in WIS and my son can go in Sep. I am also wondering if traffic is worse going to DAA? WIS is actually quite easy..albeit I have to go past it and come back around n SZR, but it is fast and no traffic lights. Do you get stuck at DAA with traffic? New question though - do any of you have a driver for school pick ups if the maid goes with him? Wondering if this could help me...but not sure if I can trust a driver with my children???
177
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 11 May 2011 - 10:21
My children are at DAA and we are very happy. However, they've always been either IB or US curriculum schools. I think if you are really happy with Wellington and the BC curriculum is important, then I agree with simpleasabc - why not have the older child on the bus going home from school, reducing your travel time. Mind you, that way you still have to contend with having the younger one around while you are trying to work in the afternoons. If your long term plan is to stay international (here or elsewhere) and it would truly work better all around for you and work to have the kids at DAA, then the US curriculum is actually quite good. If your plan is to return to the UK, then I would say keeping them in BC is important. Good luck, it's a tough call, I can see pros/cons for each decision!
5400
Posts
EW MASTER
Latest post on 09 May 2011 - 20:13
Wouldn't the expense of the school bus for your older child be outweighed by what you gain in time and money by allowing you to stay at home to work a bit longer?
2958
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 09 May 2011 - 17:54
The KHDA results are out - individual schools will be on the website tomorrow - Wellington was outstanding..... Are you planning on going back to the UK after your time in Dubai - if you are I would stick to BC. Can you not arrange a car share or see if you could come to some arrangement and get your older daughter dropped home that would cut down on your school runs. good luck - it's a tough decision.
 
 

ON EXPATWOMAN TODAY