Are you sure ? the website says 500dhs admission fee.When we applied a few years ago and got turned down, they didn't take the 500dhs.May be things have changed since then......
Absolutely positive.... Just checked the email and we had to pay 300 on application last year.. So maybe it has changed since you applied.
Yes it changed end of 2013 I think.
I must admit, I was really surprised when DESS said they had places for Y1 starting in Jan. I do hope it's not just a case of collecting revenue from registration fees for places which already have long waiting lists.
DESS is definitely not that kind of school. The only school I encountered like that was Horizon (absolutely shocking admissions policy which I am certain the KHDA has made them clean up on following many complaints 2012-2013.).
DESS will let you know where you stand.
Hi Frandaw46. I use to work for a recruitment consultancy firm when I lived in London. Not sure how it works here but I can tell you that where I worked, people barely glanced at the cover letters. Internal staff and clients were only interested in CV's (namely experience and education components). That said, it couldn't hurt to have a fairly decent cover letter, I hope someone can help you with that. Good luck!
I couldn't care less and can honestly say that I have never checked one of my previous posts to see if I have been thumbed down.
I wonder if some people get confused about the thumbs up and down system. e.g if you write something sad, and people want to show support, maybe someone wants to give a thumbs up to show support, while another wants to do a thumbs down to show that they think it is a shame what the poster has endured. I think that there is a whole lot of misinterpretation taking place...
Not sure about the government hospitals but the best hospital for a hearing test of a 2 year old is American. My ENT sent me there with my 2 year old DD.
I have heard that Meg who works at the Developing Child Centre is very good. I don't have any first-hand experience though.
<em>edited by Tru Blu on 21/04/2014</em>
Dr Elsa is amazing but she is really busy and it may take you months to get an appointment. You could start seeing someone else at City and then switch to her.
I think holding back can be a bit overrated. Just by holding back your kid a year, you aren't going to make him a brain surgeon! There was a girl in DS's class that was more than a year younger than the other kids - and she was doing just the same as the other kids. There is a schedule for when to send your child to school for a reason. Don't try to reinvent the wheel.
Yes, there is a reason - logistics. Outside of that the trend on this issue changes about as much as the trend on setting.
I think it is really important to think about these issues in relation to your individual experience and understanding of your child. Trust your intuition and don't follow like sheep. You know your child best. As an early years teacher I see children who are the youngest do better than some of their much older peers and I see others struggle. If your August born is timid, shy, immature, and/or not coping well in nursery - why wouldn't you consider holding back? If your August born is outgoing and mature for their age then its a no brainer.
The problem with the British Foundation stage curriculum is that they start formal reading and writing earlier than other curriculums in the world and this can be hard on the smallest children because developmentally some are just not ready. You can teach a child of this age by rote (ABC's & 123's) but it is hard to get them to make sense of text or hear phonic sounds if that part of their brain has not developed yet. This can lead to parents being worried, labels, and general anxiety, but worst of all many begin to dislike reading and writing because it is too hard or frustrating for them. Most children are aware of not being able to do something others can do. When this happens you are already starting to lose the battle.
Confidence is key. If you hold a child back because you do not feel he is ready and so that he is a) able to sit still for longer periods of time to take in more formal writing and b) is developmentally more ready to learn formal reading and writing then you are probably going to have a more confident child. He will enjoy school more and will be more interested in participating in reading and writing. The more children experience success the more the are likely to succeed. This is not new news, it has been researched ad nauseum.
Still, I cannot answer your question re what would happen once back in the UK and that is something also to consider. Perhaps contact your local education authority back home?
edited by mammallama on 06/04/2014
Great post.
Strange I agree. I was perusing the aisles at Spinney's the other day and there was a lady opening up disinfectant and smelling it!!!!! wt???? I mean, is there even a disinfectant that does smell good?
There is a good play area at Fun City Mercarto Mall for 1 year olds. Don't get mixed up and go to the area for bigger kids - there is a much more suitable soft play area for kids 0-2 years.
Favourite Things is great for a 1 year old but it is not in a great location for you. Zebra Crossing on SZR is also good for the little one's. Personally I would steer clear of Mini Monsters with a 1 year old. None of mine liked it until they were at least 3 and you can get really lost in the maze.
ETA: Apple Seeds at Gold and Diamond Park is really fun and would be suitable for 1+ but I don't like their payment structure.
edited by Tru Blu on 06/04/2014
<em>edited by Tru Blu on 06/04/2014</em>
Hi, does anyone know of any lady who can come over for 10 hours in the night to look after my 1 month old baby. I am desperate for some sleep and my baby is awake only at nights, I would like some help especially since I go to work soon. Does anyone know of any lady
Miks I think Coopers Clinic or Health Bay Poly clinic do it. I looked into in a while ago when my twins were playing a tag team and keeping me awake all night. It is expensive, but probably worth it.
After some years in Dubai, we're looking for a change but we're not really sure where to go next.
We're in our late 20's, have no kids (yet) and have already lived in South & North America, Europe and the Middle East.
We love traveling and discovering new cultures as well as being outdoors. We thought about Singapore but it doesn't convince me 100%.
Any ideas/inputs are welcome!
I was actually going to say Singapore. It is a fabulous city with a great expat environment. Lots to do, great food and a good base for traveling around Asia.
take lots of mozzie repellents. all different types. We are a family of six and while I hardly got bitten two of my children were eaten alive on one occasion! dreadful. They slept the entire next day. Plaster it on at 4pm each day.
I think holding back can be a bit overrated. Just by holding back your kid a year, you aren't going to make him a brain surgeon! There was a girl in DS's class that was more than a year younger than the other kids - and she was doing just the same as the other kids. There is a schedule for when to send your child to school for a reason. Don't try to reinvent the wheel.
it's not about making them a "brain surgeon". it's about how they fit into the year group socially. Boys in particular often suffer when they are the youngest in their year group. It's a fact.
in what way is she "useless"? Perhaps you could elaborate a little... If she is a nice person but just slow with her work, that may not bother some people.
I think you are doing the right thing getting him checked out. He may be fine, but you need to have him seen by a professional to settle your doubts. My nephew is autistic and fortunately they had him diagnosed before the age of 3. I hope your little guy is fine, but in the event that he isn't - the absolute best thing that you can do for him is get him an early diagnosis. All the best, let us know how you go xox
I have 4 children and they all came into this world via C-section. Honestly I don't feel like I have been "robbed" of anything. I am thankful that it is an option as I know with full certainty that with my first and second born, either they would not have survived or I would not have. The third birth was twins so that has risks as well.
I honestly think that there is much to be said for a caesarean.
I am sure that if everything looks good, natural is by far the best option in my opinion, but there comes a point when you have to trust your Dr.
Also to add, Dr Elsa delivered my twins and was always telling me that I was the perfect candidate to have a natural twin delivery as they were both in perfect position (however because of my two previous C-sections I could not). She is definitely pro natural birth. You have to put your trust in her. She is excellent and she has done this many times.
Good luck! xox
Hi Ruth,
I think its called Union National Bank. Not sure there is one near AR, but its actually really hard for a Maid to get a bank account. I had to get one for my Maid last year as we were getting her a visa for Greece and she needed a bank account. UNB had no terms and conditions, it was very easy. The branch right next to Gold & Diamond Park is excellent.
I don't have first hand experience but two of my friends had children there last year, and moved them out for this academic year. Perhaps teething problems as its a fairly new school, but with the prices they charge, they cant really afford to have teething problems.
Sorry to hear this Eli. I went through a nightmare with Horizon school last year but rather than reject people, they waitlisted everyone so we were left stringing along for months. My son was supposedly at the top of the waitlist, but they probably said that to everyone. In a way, its better to get a firm "no" so that you can move on and look for something else. I ended up holding my DS out of school as I though a place may become available in the first term and I was desperate, I didn't have his name down anywhere (I know, silly me!). They have recently asked if we want a place and I told them in no uncertain terms where to go.
I agree, they are money making enterprises and the KHDA should not allow these schools take everyone's money and assess so many children for so few spots.
thank you. I cant seem to find anything below about 50k a year. I am never even going to use the office so would ideally like something to reflect that. I am hoping to get something around the 30,000 mark, but don't know if I can.... anyone else?
They changed the rule in March 2013. Apparently now you can your Maid in on a temporary work permit. Anyway, I am going to try my hardest - I cant bear the thought of an 11 hour flight with a 5 year old, a 4 year old and 2 x 2 year olds!!!!!!!
Will update after our appointment at the end of the month.
if you want to go the legal route try Howdra. You can have a temp permanent maid between 1 and 4 months. Its expensive (4000 a month when we did it 18 months ago) but your only real legal option.
Colours, we recently took a place at DESS. It is such a lovely school and we are delighted, they have been so nice to deal with over the last month.
A lot of people are turned off by the drive, but its not that bad at all. It takes me 20 minutes door to door from Umm Suqeim. What schools are you interested in? are you after a particular curriculum?
<em>edited by Tru Blu on 13/02/2014</em>
Yes. I had a dreadful experience with Horizon school last year. I was at the "top" of their waitlist, along with several other people. I feel like they left me stringing along.
They assessed so many kids (they never closed their application list) and passed them all but kept them all waitlisted.
I was in a pretty desperate situation as I also had three younger siblings at home and they were pretty awful to me. I feel scarred by the experience!
I doubt that is the school you are referring to however as they are expanding and should have plenty of spots to fill.
Anyway, sorry for my rant, to answer your question, you definitely need a Plan B. I didn't have a plan B and ended up home schooling my little guy for 4 months which was tough for me, even though he is good. If you only have 1 or 2 kids and would be willing to temporarily home school then this could be an option if you want to hold out for your school of choice.
By the time I was actually offered a spot at Horizon I was so turned off that I declined! :-)
<em>edited by Tru Blu on 13/02/2014</em>
Aquaventure is better for a 2 year old although chances are he/she still wont like it much. There is a massive bucket of water that tips down and the little ones really don't like it. It is better than Wild Wadi though, although Wild Wadi is my fave for adults.
We go away in groups and my friends have never been allowed the 3 kids in one room. I guess we are going to all the wrong places
A lot of the big Hiltons have interconnecting rooms
You must indeed be going to the wrong places mumofmoo! I even know a hotel that is happy to allow four children and two adults in a room. I'm keeping it a secret though ;)
C'mon Dazza!!!! not many people have 4 children anyway, we are a rare breed these days :-)
Bubbles I am very pro holding back summer babies, especially boys. Academically they would probably be fine but socially they often suffer. We are Australian and when we eventually return to OZ I am just going to stamp my feet a bit (hopefully I won't need to) to get DS in to the year that best suits him socially. The academic year is different in Australia so not sure what will happen, but figured I would just cross that bridge when I come to it.
Good luck with your decision
<em>edited by Tru Blu on 27/01/2014</em>
9 March 2014