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travelling to school?

16
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 16 July 2016 - 00:39

Hi,

Just wondering for those of you who have young children in primary school around aged 5 or 6, how do they travel to school? Are you able to drop off and pick up everyday, does anybody use a school bus or a driver?

My girls will be starting school in Doha in September, I haven't driven in Qatar before and the prospect seems a little daunting to me at the moment! My husband drives but travels abroad often for his job so it will likely just me and the girls most days, I'm thinking to use the school bus feel a bit worried about them as my youngest is 5 and they have never taken a school bus before.
How does everybody else get their younger children to school?

Thanks.

1759
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 01 August 2016 - 17:16
Sorry to burst your bubble, but it won't start to get cooler until towards the end of September (it's the humidity that kills, I can deal with the heat without the humidity). Holiday Villa is fairly close to the school (the area is called Najma/Mansoura).
16
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 28 July 2016 - 22:07
hi, thanks all for taxi suggestions, I guess I'll have to try them out and see which one works out best for us! Yes I'll be staying in Qatar for baby number 3, in laws are not too far away so I'll have more support than I would in the UK plus I don't want to disrupt the girls' education again. They will be starting at Oryx on 4th September, yes it is a school for Qatar airways staff. We also have accommodation sorted through husband's work at Holiday Villa (not sure on the area!). Where abouts are you staying and which school do your children attend? Yes I can imagine the summer is very hot, hopefully will be starting to cool down end of August when we arrive. thanks for advice.
219
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 25 July 2016 - 10:40
I highly recommend you use Uber . Very reliable , easy and the charges are quite reasonable .
37
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 22 July 2016 - 20:27
Hi ummsana, Yes I am in Doha. I moved here end of March when my children broke up for Easter holidays in the UK. Congratulations on expecting baby number 3. Hope your pregnancy is going well. Will you have the baby in Qatar or fly back out to the UK? Yes it is a good idea to start driving yourself especially with a baby and your husband being away a lot too. For the time you are not driving you can use the following services: Karwa taxi Careen Über I only have experience with karwa. You can also get a driver of you want. I am not sure how much they charge but maybe around 2000/2500 QR a month ( I heard a mum mention that she pays 3000 QR for morning and afternoon pick up for a 20 min distance from Home to school but the driver would drop her back home in the morning as she used to come with the children and in the afternoon he would pick her up from home and take her school and than drop her and the kids home) As long as you can do the school run and the grocery shopping ,you will b fine. That is all I want to do, just practice the school run and I have a few shops around me which are not very far. Which area will you be living in? Are your girls starting the Oryx school which is for Qatar airways staff ? My children school will be starting on 4th September too and than Eid holidays from the 13th till 18th. I am spending the summer in Qatar as I only moved her less than four months ago. It has been quite hot here especially the month of July when the humidity has kicked in too. School have been off for nearly month but there isnot much I have done with the children due to the heat. If you want any more information than don't hesitate to ask.
16
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 21 July 2016 - 22:01
Hi, Thanks for the reply. We are moving in 4 weeks, just doing the final preparations now! Girls have got a place at school starting 4th September, I think school is about 20 mins away, will have to do a dummy run before they actually start I think! I don't currently know any other families in Doha I'm hoping there may be some children in our area attending same school but we will see. I think taxi is first option at the moment although I'm expecting late December so will only be able to do taxis for few months. May have to go with school bus after that. Are you in Doha now? Thanks.
37
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 16 July 2016 - 12:27
Hi ummsana, Hope you are ok. Have you moved to Doha yet or still in the UK. My son only did the last term of the school here in Doha as I arrived in March. My husband work shifts change in daily basis, so the days that he can't do the school run, I order a taxi. I have the Karwa taxi app on my phone which I use to order the taxi. I will be honest with you, twice the taxi driver didn't turn up and sometimes they are late but as my son was in year 3 it was ok as he actually preferred me going late to pick him up so he could play with his friends lol My experience with the taxi hasn't been too bad but not 100% but Allhamdullilah I managed the full term. 15 mins before your pick up time, you receive a text with the driver details and number and you can also track the driver. In September my younger one will b starting too so I am practicing driving as though they will both be in the same school , he will finish 15mins earlier and he needs picking up from his class and I have been told he needs to be picked up on time whereas my older son's class is let out in the playground when school finishes. How far is your girls school from home? Are there other families whose children go to the same school ?