britchick4 | ExpatWoman.com
 

britchick4

britchick4
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Latest post on 05 December 2013 - 20:28
Hi ladies, Feefmick....was that 400dhs for the whole lot? Wow, that is cheap. I paid 1000dhs for one large filling, check up, X-ray, polish and scale, and this was at a dentist that was highly recommended on here as being reasonable, (he was lovely though and I was at ease with him). Unfortunately, I am still having pain in the same tooth, it's actually worse. I think I may try your dentist for that price.
britchick4
76
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Latest post on 26 November 2013 - 16:46
This has to be one of the funniest threads I have read in a while!! Made me smile/laugh and also feel a little disturbed too.....why have admin not removed this haha
britchick4
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Latest post on 26 November 2013 - 16:41
Oh my god...is this a joke or is he serious!!! I couldn't stop laughing...especially the bit where he states the breasts can be enhanced!! Really...without a boob job...better get booking....I want to be two cup sizes larger!!
britchick4
76
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Latest post on 21 November 2013 - 23:25
If you still haven't bought the machine, I went to the @home store in Marina Mall and there were three of the models on sale (around 150dhs off), the Essenza was 400dhs, the U was 600dhs and the pixie was 675dhs...worth checking out, I want to buy one and have the same dilemma, don't know which one to get. I noted the prices down so I can make a comparison to the UK prices an with the sale, there wasn't much difference.
britchick4
76
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Latest post on 17 June 2013 - 13:35
blondie007, just wondering whether you managed to get your deposit back? We are in the same situation and not able to get it back. Trublu, you said Safa return part of it, but they are not willing to refund any of it to us. Any advice on how to go about this and get some of it back? TIA :-)
britchick4
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Latest post on 10 June 2013 - 20:00
Thank you for that ladies. Scotsgirl, you must be very happy with the school to turn down a place at JESS, that is very reassuring. With the children all mixing, are there any issues of bullying etc (my LO is quite petite...bless him!!)? Is the school quite responsive to issues parent's may have with the school. It is such a shame that Extra-curricular activities don't start until year 3....does the school provide paid after school activities with outside providers for the younger years?
britchick4
76
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Latest post on 10 June 2013 - 17:21
Thank you ladies for your advice, the registrar at English College was lovely and I am going in to meet with her, I am hoping this will help my decision, I am leaning towards the English College, it was one of my first choices when we arrived in Dubai. I know it is difficult to get a place there because it is a small school and I am chuffed but surprised that he has been offered a place. Will see how I feel once I meet with the registrar. Just lucky that I have another great school to fall back on if ECP doesn't seem the right fit for my LO :-) Thanks again.
britchick4
76
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Latest post on 10 June 2013 - 12:39
Thank you ladies, this is really helpful. What are the facilities like? Safa has great facilities, do they compare? Blimey, do you feel that English College is more academic? What is the pastoral care like? Are the children well supported for example, regarding learning support, behaviour etc, my LO is bright but is also a bit of a character and one of the younger ones in the year, how well are they supported? I apologise for all the questions. I am lucky I have a choice of two schools!! Thank you :-)
britchick4
76
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Latest post on 10 June 2013 - 11:46
Thank you ladies, I know what you mean, there are hardly any reviews on the English College but yet there is a long waitlist so can't quite understand that!!! Is it purely because it is great value for money or because it is nurturing as well as academic. White Orchid, you said that Safa is more progressive and I found that the staff are really,really friendly, how does your friend find the staff at English College? Do they listen to the parents etc? My poor LO has had so much upheavel moving to Dubai last year and now is going to move to another school, I don't want to keep moving him from one school to another and just want him settled, so it has got to be the right decision. Plus, I can't be dealing with the school headache every year with waitlisting etc. So stuck!!!
britchick4
76
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Latest post on 10 June 2013 - 10:54
Anyone else with advice or experience of EC please? <em>edited by britchick4 on 10/06/2013</em>
britchick4
76
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Latest post on 10 June 2013 - 10:25
I have scoured every last detail of Safa school, but not as much with the EC, because I honestly didn't expect him to get a place and from all my phonecalls to them, I was pretty certain he had no chance of a place. I can't do a tour now because they have suspended them due to it being end of term. So stuck now and relying on reviews on here. Have you heard anything about the EC from other parents? Thank you :-) <em>edited by britchick4 on 10/06/2013</em>
britchick4
76
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Latest post on 10 June 2013 - 10:16
Thank you Pikachu, I loved Safa school too and have been really looking forward to him starting there, but this has really thrown a spanner in the works. Anyone else with experience of EC in terms of support, academics, extra-curricula activities and staff support??? Thank you :-) <em>edited by britchick4 on 10/06/2013</em>
britchick4
76
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Latest post on 08 June 2013 - 18:01
Sorry to hear your news. I agree with the other ladies, my friend was told to terminate her baby because they couldn't hear a heartbeat but she didn't believe them, she discharged herself from hospital, went home, rested and she now has a gorgeous 7 year old girl. If you have any doubts, then just let nature take it's cause and see what happens. Hope everything works out.
britchick4
76
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Latest post on 07 June 2013 - 12:11
Thank you ladies, that is helpful to know. Other issue is this and we have tried to do some research, the agent wants us to sign the contracts, hand over the security deposit, agent fees and also the postdated cheques tomorrow, can someone clarify, is this the process, or do we have to register with Ejari before handing any kind of cash over? We don't want to sound like we are being awkward to the agent and they then offer the apartment to someone else, but we don't know the agent (they are Rera registered), and we just want to ensure that we are covered and don't get conned or lose any money. It is really confusing and we haven't done this before. Any help or advice would be great. TIA
britchick4
76
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Latest post on 07 June 2013 - 09:05
Hi, if it is a nursery you are after, then the Blossom Nursery group are opening a new nursery in Academic City and the age will go up to 6, they definitely have places. Good luck with your decision :-)
britchick4
76
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 04 June 2013 - 08:40
Hello Comp99, sorry, just saw your message. Yes, I have decided on Blossom Village in the end. The class sizes were a worry but after speaking to the staff and ladies on EW, it doesn't seem to be too much of an issue. Will see and I guess if I am unhappy then I can always move him. How about you, any luck? Have you looked at Littleland, know a few mums with experience of it and have praised it and the Montessori Curriculum. I just got fed up going round and looking at the nurseries so had to make a decision. <em>edited by britchick4 on 04/06/2013</em>
britchick4
76
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Latest post on 02 June 2013 - 19:47
Hello JulesLC, oh that's a shame. Hope the LO settles in well at school. I don't know what class he will be in. I have to still go in and pay the deposit, which I am doing tomorrow. Thanks for the advice :-)
britchick4
76
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Latest post on 01 June 2013 - 14:52
Regarding preschool, I have been to see loads of nurseries and had narrowed it down to Willow nursery and Blossom Village. Both in Umm Suqeimm area. Have decided on Blossom Village now. All depends on what you are looking for, check out Homegrown Eco Nursery too, I couldnt get a place there, but preschool may be easier to get into because a lot of people send their children to FS1 in a school. Hope that helps :-)
britchick4
76
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Latest post on 01 June 2013 - 13:00
Thank you ladies, that is very reassuring. I am hoping I have made the right choice!! May see you next term :-)
britchick4
76
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Latest post on 01 June 2013 - 12:28
Thanks ladies, Elmpark, that's what I think too. Sharry, does your child go there? What do you think of it? Any other mums with experience?
britchick4
76
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Latest post on 01 June 2013 - 11:32
Hi Ladies, I have finally decided on Blossom Village for my LO, the only thing worrying me is the class size and that there are only 3 members of staff for 22 children, my LO will be almost 2 when he starts, can any mums who's LO's go there advise if they have found this to be an issue or whether the staff to child ratio is managed well. I loved the nursery and was torn between this one and Willow, so far, I have only read good things about both except that some have mentioned the class size at Blossom Village. Is it an issue for those who have experience with the nursery for a child of 22months?
britchick4
76
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Latest post on 27 May 2013 - 11:28
Thankyou SuzieDXB, will check it out. The Russian, i have visited both you have mentioned, liked Kids Cottage, but have narrowed it down to Willow and blossom...what to do? One takes on the Reggio Emilia concept and the other doesn't......facilities, staff, organisation at both are excellent....Blossom provides lunch too, my son loved Blossom, he had totally forgotten about me and just wondered off.....cried all the way home after we left, he was more shy at Willow, but I loved their curriculum....do I go with the one that my heart is saying he will get more from in terms of range of activities, or the one my son ran off into and forgot about me? Advice please ladies....so confused :-/
britchick4
76
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Latest post on 27 May 2013 - 11:18
Comp99, got it.....thanks for that, have you visited Willow and the Blossom nurseries? These are my top two choices and just really really confused....one doesnt provide lunch and has lots of additional programmes and follows aspects of the Reggio Emelia concept, the other provides lunch, has more additional indoor playspace and larger classrooms. The staff were wonderful at both, really confused. What is your top choice so far?
britchick4
76
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Latest post on 27 May 2013 - 08:12
Hello huneymunster, I went to visit the nursery, lovely facilities, but I totally see what you mean, other than the nursery manager, the staff seemed so demotivated and with all honesty, not very friendly!!! Will give it a miss. Shame, because I loved e concept and the facilities :-(
britchick4
76
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Latest post on 27 May 2013 - 08:09
Comp99, which nursery was it? I am currently visiting nurseries and will give that one a miss. Never even thought to look at that in the washrooms, will have a look at my visits today. The other ladies, please could you mention the nurseries you have sent your children too, there are so many and it is all getting very confusing. TIA
britchick4
76
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Latest post on 24 May 2013 - 19:46
That is interesting, was it really that bad? I have only read good reviews so far about Inspire :-/ <em>edited by britchick4 on 24/05/2013</em>
britchick4
76
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Latest post on 24 May 2013 - 16:43
Hello zannie, which Jebel Ali does your LO go to? I went to visit the one in JBR and it looked really small and cramped, the one in AR looks nice but it is too far.
britchick4
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Latest post on 24 May 2013 - 16:39
Honeymunster: thank you for the heads up, will visit and see what I make of it. Out of curiosity, where did you move your children to?
britchick4
76
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Latest post on 24 May 2013 - 16:25
Honeymunster: thank you for the heads up, will visit and see what I make of it. Out of curiosity, where did you move your children to?
britchick4
76
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Latest post on 24 May 2013 - 12:08
Thank you for the info Amelia, children's Oasis is just too expensive. Have heard very good reviews about it though! Seashells is a little out for me unfortunately. Thanks, have a good day :-)
britchick4
76
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Latest post on 24 May 2013 - 11:14
Hope your LO feels better soon x
britchick4
76
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Latest post on 24 May 2013 - 11:10
Amelia, thank you, please do let me know :-) Leicsexpat, thank you for the information about Kids Island, will have a look at your post. Doodlemum, I was scheduled to go and visit Palm yesterday, got sooooo lost, drove around for 40mins and then just gave up. Will call them on Sunday and reschedule. Can I ask, is the place clean? The hunt goes on!!
britchick4
76
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Latest post on 24 May 2013 - 11:04
Honeymunster, please could you share which of the two nurseries have a high staff turnover, I am going to visit Inspire and really banking on that being the "one", I have visited Cooper and didn't like that one, so not too bothered if it is that one with the high turnover :-)
britchick4
76
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Latest post on 23 May 2013 - 19:17
Definitely nothing available, have been put on the waiting list too, called them two weeks ago too....Looks like a long wait!!!
britchick4
76
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Latest post on 23 May 2013 - 19:00
Amelia, that is interesting, will call Homegrown again and enquire about that, she didn't mention it to me when I spoke to her :-/ Ashes, Kids Island is still my top choice, have visited a few more. Thanks ladies for the Blossom Village recommendation, I rang today and will go for a tour, the lady I spoke to today said there is space and they are also opening a new branch, which wasn't mentioned before. The only thing is, I feel the fees are a little steep, but I will reserve judgement until I visit. Going to visit Willow and Inspire too and will then make a decision, visiting so many is just making it all confusing, but I just want to make sure I am 100% happy. Visited Emerald City too, can't seem to make my mind up about it, it was very dated and old, but not sure whether that is deliberate, reminded me of an old dolls house, but the teacher was so lovely....they check the kids temperature everyday, which I thought was a little wierd!! :-/ Thanks for all the info ladies :-)
britchick4
76
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Latest post on 22 May 2013 - 22:30
Amelia - have contacted Homegrown because I liked their concept, however, it has a waiting list of 18 children for the class that my LO will be in :-(
britchick4
76
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Latest post on 22 May 2013 - 21:27
Mya....not sure of it's origin, but I just love the name.
britchick4
76
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Latest post on 22 May 2013 - 21:25
Thank you ladies, a few more to enquire about, thanks for the suggestions. Nellie, Kids Island is definitely my top choice at the moment. I will be visiting a few more over the next week, Willow Nursery and Inspire are also a couple I am hoping to visit. Blossom has a waiting list. It's amazing the camera tricks that one can do to make something look so different. Have visited some that look amazing online, only to find they look a little different in reality. Will let you know how I get on :-)
britchick4
76
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Latest post on 22 May 2013 - 12:52
Any reviews for Mulberry tree (montessori curriculum) and Emerald City, cant find many reviews for those two?
britchick4
76
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Latest post on 22 May 2013 - 12:38
Hi there, motorcity is a little out for us, I see there is one in Jumeirah too, but haven't been to see that yet. Maybe one to look at, will check their website. Thanks :-) Any others that you may have experience of?
britchick4
76
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Latest post on 22 May 2013 - 12:28
Hi DB, It was a nice place, but there was something that wasn't quite right, it didnt seem to have the buzz of a nursery, there were not many children there (I know it is new) and I noticed that in one class, the staff:child ratio was not adhered to, maybe I am being overly picky, I don't know!! Have heard good things about Blossom, but there is a waiting list.
britchick4
76
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Latest post on 22 May 2013 - 12:11
Hello ladies, I know this has been done a million times, but I really need some nursery advice. Having visited various nurseries, all I want is a nursery that a. doesn't smell of poo, b. is clean c. Has friendly and caring staff, d. has spacious classrooms and outside space e. it's not a total rip off and lastly, the children look like they are happy and having fun. So far, Kids Island is the top of my list but I would like to visit some comparable ones in case there is something else that ticks some more boxes (although I loved Kids Island, I found the classrooms to be fairly small). Please give me some suggestions. Have visited the following: Little Discoverers Little Wonders Cooper Nursery Kids Cottage Jebel Ali (JBR) Kids Island Please give me an insight into your experiences. Really appreciate it. TIA :-)
britchick4
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Latest post on 16 May 2013 - 08:07
Hi ladies, My LO is starting at Safa school and I can't seem to fully access their Facebook page, I can see photos, but that is it, can anyone post a link? Any other information about the school would be great too, such as, the support system in the school, the overall teaching quality, extra curricular activities. Safa was not my first choice school and like others have said, the outside of the building put me off, but when I went on the tour, I loved it, really does have a great British feel to it. So far, all my interactions with the staff have been good, starting from the lady at reception (makes a change, quite a few schools I have visited, the reception staff are so unfriendly), but the lady at reception is so lovely here. Also, having achieved a "good" rating with the KHDA, does anyone have a heads up on whether there is going to be a fee increase. TIA :-)
britchick4
76
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Latest post on 14 May 2013 - 14:44
Hello ladies, we really like the townhouses in Wasl Square, as with all compounds, there is a waiting list, any tips on how to get into one, I have heard of people being able to get into villas where other people have been waiting a lot longer. We are due to move in June and wondering if we need to give up on the idea of living here....anyone know of any other similar kind of properties in and around this area for around the same price? TIA :-)
britchick4
76
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Latest post on 09 May 2013 - 18:59
I asked about the car seat as soon as I entered the plane at the door, at that point they didn't even know I had booked an additional seat for the baby and they still said yes. Emirates are usually very accommodating. To be on the safe side, I would get the seat tagged at check-in just in case they say no and then it can go down into the storage with the pushchairs, but I would be very surprised if they said no. Good luck, don't stress about the LO and have a safe flight :-)
britchick4
76
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Latest post on 09 May 2013 - 11:08
Hello, When my LO was a baby and I have flown with Emirates, I have always taken the car seat on board with me. I did have a seat next to me booked for the little one on the bassinet row as well as a bassinet, so didn't need the car seat but they just put it in storage on the plane. Emirates are really good, unfortunately my car seat didn't fit the plane seat so was no use. KLM on the other hand were very funny about it and insisted that I had to send the car seat with the buggy. Car seats are not classed as part of your luggage allowance so I personally preferred to take mine with me. Now my LO is older and no longer in the newborn seat, we have a spare one in the UK so no longer carry one with us anymore. My toddler is a light sleeper and any little sound wakes him up, still haven't mastered how to get him back off to sleep. It is almost guaranteed that he will cry for take-off and landing because he has to sit on my lap and prefers not to be restricted No advice on that I am afraid except that don't worry about it, other passengers usually are quite understanding and most of the time feel quite sorry for you. Calpol works a little and I usually tend to opt for night flights so they sleep for some of the time. The bassinet row is a good idea so the LO has room to play on the floor. iPad is a godsend (don't shoot me down on this, but needs must). Favourite books are always good too. Good luck, I too am dreading the plane journey when we go back in the summer now my LO is walking :-/
britchick4
76
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Latest post on 09 May 2013 - 07:52
Hello, try Safa school, they are opening a year 7 class and may still have spaces. Not a very pretty school from the outside, but once inside, it has a very 'British school' feel about it. With them only having a small intake of year 7 children, it might suit him well, being one of the younger ones. They may do an assessment, not sure what that will be, but for the primary children, they spend a day at the school. HTH, good luck :-)
britchick4
76
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Latest post on 08 May 2013 - 08:19
When my brother visited, they flew with Pegasus, the flight was very basic, I think you had to buy drinks, snacks etc. also, no individual t.v's for each seat, which was a problem for the, because they had a six year old with them and she was bored. However, it was on time both ways.
britchick4
76
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Latest post on 13 March 2013 - 08:24
Hello, Park Island is a good one for small families, directly on the Marina, it's an Emaar complex but cheaper than the original 6...it has squash courts, a lovely pool (infinity pool overlooking the marina). Probably not as modern as 23 Marina, which we did go to see and loved, but I found that due to the construction and the fact that it is not directly on the Marina, we decided against it, can't really walk with a pram around there because there wasn't a pavement when we went (well that was the case when we viewed it, but it may be more accessible now). Also, Park Island is directly on Jumeirah Road so easy access to Media City...I would say less than 10min drive. The marina walk itself has now started to develop a few play areas underneath the bridges which are great. HTH, good luck with your search and your move :-)
britchick4
76
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Latest post on 08 March 2013 - 17:24
Thanks ladies, I get really embarrassed stripping down to my undies, so do you have to actually remove your undies? OMG, I am really scared....do you get ingrown hairs? I guess I will have to take the plunge....do you normally direct the waxer, or do they just get on with it and know what they are doing? I have heard a few recommendations for tips and toes....is there a particular woman I can ask for and which branch? May even reward myself with a manicure after....If I can sit down that is..haha...will update and let you know how I got on.
 
 
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