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Advice please?? How to plan my move with kids in tow??

Advice please?? How to plan my move with kids in tow??

Old Jun 16th 2013, 5:38 pm
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Question Advice please?? House hunting?? How to plan my move with kids in tow??

Hi all,

Hoping someone out there who's been in my shoes can help me to plan my move better

We are moving out to Dubai for my hubbys work in the next month or so for 2/3 yrs. I've been trying to sort out school places from here (UK) but finding it a struggle as per my last thread as I need a school to accommodate my little one with special needs.

So here is the next dilemma....

The kids need to come over to Dubai to meet the schools before sept and have their assessments etc however because the chances of one them not getting a place so easily (or not til jan) because he needs learning support, I can't really withdraw them from school here until they definitely get a place.

So do we fly over with the kids to do their assessments and then fly them back to uk so we can come back to go house hunting without the kids in tow?? - also will be costly as then I'll have to bring them back but at least it's less stress for them( 2 6yr olds!)

Or is there a trusted child care facility / kids club -private or in a particular hotel? Also considering a hotel with kids club if available so we don't have to drag them around house hunting until at least we have narrowed down the list?? Realistic or not? Hopefully something that wouldn't cost the earth and then we could leave our kids in whilst we trek around house hunting? And should we stay in furnished apartments or a hotel - also any recommendations which ones?

The biggest problem is everything will revolve around if they get into the school we want, or wherever they do get in as we want to be close to school...springs, greens, ranches, meadows - and btw any suggestions which area is best please let me know

Or do we actually risk pulling them out of school and just make the move in one go with the slim possibility of school places so far.. And if so how do I know what to pack/ ship etc without knowing what our house will need/ accommodate? (Bearing in mind we are planning to be in Dubai for 2/3 yrs only and plan to leave unnecessary stuff at home that's not needed)

Questions..questions.. really sorry but no one here who I can ask...

Am I just missing something obvious here?? Do i need a relocation specialist? if so who is good? is this a costly option?

Please tell me how you guys did this with young kids in tow and no certainty about schools

Pulling my hair out

Last edited by Tjas; Jun 16th 2013 at 5:55 pm.
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Old Jun 17th 2013, 5:22 am
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Default Re: Advice please?? How to plan my move with kids in tow??

One additional issue is the schools close for summer at the end of June. You won't manage to get to see round any schools / have assessments before Sept unless you can make it out here in the next week or so.

You could try this school (they are full with a waiting list for the younger years, but you should be ok with 6 year olds)

http://www.safaschooldubai.com/

With regard to living areas, this link is a decent map of Dubai showing the different areas

http://www.dtcm-dubaimap.com/applet/map.html

Use the above map along with a property website (e.g. www.bhomes.com) to see what houses are like in each area and current prices.

In terms of relocation, there is a lot of nearly new stuff available on dubizzle.com (lots of people come and leave after a couple of years and sell all their stuff before they go). Or there is Ikea for a one-stop shop for all your moving in requirements. Depends on your budget. Try and get a relocation allowance from your husbands work (I would suggest at least GBP 3k to cover shipping of a container from your current home). Either ship your own stuff, or use the allowance to buy stuff here.

When we came out 7 years ago, my company paid for my wife and I to come out have a look round, see some schools in a 3 day reccie (in May). We got a place at school for our kids booked then, and the whole family moved out at the end of August (a week before schools started).

When we arrived at the end of August, company put us up in a hotel apartment for up to 6 weeks so we could find a house and buy furniture, etc. This is, in my opinion, a necessisty when moving out with young children.

Good luck
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Old Jun 17th 2013, 8:15 am
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Default Re: Advice please?? How to plan my move with kids in tow??

Every school's admission policy with regards to SEN will be different. Try and gather as much information as possible before you visit schools with the children. Does the school accept students with SEN and if so, are there exceptions? What types of support does the school provide for SEN? Is there an extra cost involved for this support?

Provide as much information as possible about your child's needs. Most schools will appreciate an open and frank dialogue to ensure that they, as well as you, are happy that there is a match between what they can provide and the needs of your family.
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Old Jun 17th 2013, 8:24 am
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Default Re: Advice please?? How to plan my move with kids in tow??

As Mogs said the schools are closing here at the end of June. Did you contact Regent School? Is the company not providing you with temporary place until you find a permanent villa? Get the kids a school place before deciding on where to live. Where will your husbands office be?

All the 5 star hotels on the beach have kids clubs but I don't think you are allowed to actually leave the children there without someone being on the hotel premises.
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Old Jun 17th 2013, 3:58 pm
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Default Re: Advice please?? How to plan my move with kids in tow??

Seriously, I think you're making mountains out of molehills. Get a grip as life out here is going to throw all sorts at you!!

Firstly schools close end of next week so you can shelve any assessments til September. Surely you can househunt with kids in tow. Worst case - you get a furnished apartment that is less than perfect for a finite period.... don't over analyse and plan things as you'll never be happy out here. Your kids are young enough to roll with the adventure and really are not going to miss out. Things also change so quickly so a school that says they do it don't support learning difficulties can change with an instant.

Decide whether you're going to give it a go and roll with the punches, if its not for you - no worries and don't spend anymore emotional effort as it appears to me that your exhausting yourself over things.
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Old Jun 17th 2013, 5:28 pm
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Default Re: Advice please?? How to plan my move with kids in tow??

Hi Mogs
Originally Posted by Mogs
One additional issue is the schools close for summer at the end of June. You won't manage to get to see round any schools / have assessments before Sept unless you can make it out here in the next week or so.
True but impossible....
You could try this school (they are full with a waiting list for the younger years, but you should be ok with 6 year olds)

http://www.safaschooldubai.com/

Thanks Mogs, Just spoke to a lovely lady there but they're full so I've put them down on their waiting list anyway

With regard to living areas, this link is a decent map of Dubai showing the different areas

http://www.dtcm-dubaimap.com/applet/map.html

Use the above map along with a property website (e.g. www.bhomes.com) to see what houses are like in each area and current prices.

Great! Springs looks great, is it a realistic drive from there to the new GEMS Al Khail school (opposite Al Quoz)? As I'm on there list too?

In terms of relocation, there is a lot of nearly new stuff available on dubizzle.com (lots of people come and leave after a couple of years and sell all their stuff before they go). Or there is Ikea for a one-stop shop for all your moving in requirements. Depends on your budget. Try and get a relocation allowance from your husbands work (I would suggest at least GBP 3k to cover shipping of a container from your current home). Either ship your own stuff, or use the allowance to buy stuff here.

Thanks for this, its really helped us decide on what we should and shouldnt take!


When we came out 7 years ago, my company paid for my wife and I to come out have a look round, see some schools in a 3 day reccie (in May). We got a place at school for our kids booked then, and the whole family moved out at the end of August (a week before schools started).

When we arrived at the end of August, company put us up in a hotel apartment for up to 6 weeks so we could find a house and buy furniture, etc. This is, in my opinion, a necessisty when moving out with young children.

Unfortunately because of the short time we've got now looks like we will be cutting it fine by going back and forth, especially with the hols out there really dont know whether to just bite the bullet and move in Aug anyway....surely they'll get a place somewhere or not?? Any bad/good stories out there??

Good luck
Thank you! You've really helped us!
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Old Jun 17th 2013, 5:38 pm
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Default Re: Advice please?? How to plan my move with kids in tow??

Originally Posted by duncanpartridge
Every school's admission policy with regards to SEN will be different. Try and gather as much information as possible before you visit schools with the children. Does the school accept students with SEN and if so, are there exceptions? What types of support does the school provide for SEN? Is there an extra cost involved for this support?

Thanks Duncan, I have tried to find out as much as I can from this end, but have been limited to school websites, internet research and phone calls to the school (and it's impossible to get to actually speak to someone bar the registrar But I have been completely open from the start and from my list of 24 schools I've spoken to mainly only the new schools have suggeested their might be a small chance but again they will base this on how much support he'll need (and this is despite me saying I'll pay fro a shadow teacher if needed! and I doubt if he'll need intensive support anyway; probably some one to one for a brief period everyday I'm guessing

Provide as much information as possible about your child's needs. Most schools will appreciate an open and frank dialogue to ensure that they, as well as you, are happy that there is a match between what they can provide and the needs of your family.
This is one of the big delays as his reports wont be ready until end of Jun here no matter how much pressure I'm putting on them thus delaying the whole process even further so far its solely based on what I'm telling the schools myself so far
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Old Jun 17th 2013, 5:42 pm
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Default Re: Advice please?? How to plan my move with kids in tow??

Originally Posted by Blue Cat
As Mogs said the schools are closing here at the end of June. Did you contact Regent School?
Yes we're on there waiting list....
Is the company not providing you with temporary place until you find a permanent villa?
yes they'll put us up in a hotel
Get the kids a school place before deciding on where to live. Where will your husbands office be?
around Internet City

All the 5 star hotels on the beach have kids clubs but I don't think you are allowed to actually leave the children there without someone being on the hotel premises.
Thanks Blue cat
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Old Jun 17th 2013, 5:49 pm
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Default Re: Advice please?? How to plan my move with kids in tow??

Originally Posted by P18PPS
Seriously, I think you're making mountains out of molehills. Get a grip as life out here is going to throw all sorts at you!!

Firstly schools close end of next week so you can shelve any assessments til September. Surely you can househunt with kids in tow. Worst case - you get a furnished apartment that is less than perfect for a finite period.... don't over analyse and plan things as you'll never be happy out here. Your kids are young enough to roll with the adventure and really are not going to miss out. Things also change so quickly so a school that says they do it don't support learning difficulties can change with an instant.

Decide whether you're going to give it a go and roll with the punches, if its not for you - no worries and don't spend anymore emotional effort as it appears to me that your exhausting yourself over things.
Thanks for this....I know and believe it or not I'm actually very positive and excited about the move, its just having the SEN school problem in the mix and as we all do I just want to make sure my DS gets the help he needs....and unfortunately time is running out and there seems little hope just yet...

Once this is dealt with I can focus on the move itself and plan where to live etc but listen I appreciate the pep talk and yes I will keep my chin up
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Old Jun 17th 2013, 6:20 pm
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Default Re: Advice please?? How to plan my move with kids in tow??

Originally Posted by P18PPS
Seriously, I think you're making mountains out of molehills. Get a grip as life out here is going to throw all sorts at you!!

Firstly schools close end of next week so you can shelve any assessments til September. Surely you can househunt with kids in tow. Worst case - you get a furnished apartment that is less than perfect for a finite period.... don't over analyse and plan things as you'll never be happy out here. Your kids are young enough to roll with the adventure and really are not going to miss out. Things also change so quickly so a school that says they do it don't support learning difficulties can change with an instant.

Decide whether you're going to give it a go and roll with the punches, if its not for you - no worries and don't spend anymore emotional effort as it appears to me that your exhausting yourself over things.
I would say a child's education is something worth 'exhausting' yourself over.
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Old Jun 17th 2013, 6:29 pm
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Default Re: Advice please?? How to plan my move with kids in tow??

Originally Posted by NorthernLad
I would say a child's education is something worth 'exhausting' yourself over.
...

..off to hit my bottle of wine...in need of some calm.....suppose one pleasure that's more affordable here than in Dubai :
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Old Jun 18th 2013, 5:34 am
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Default Re: Advice please?? How to plan my move with kids in tow??

I say just get on a plane and come over, get the temp accom offered from the company and take it from there. There is a lot of movement in the schools at the end of August so you should hear then which school has accepted them. I have never heard of children not getting a place. Once you know which school they are in you can look for a villa, you can find a villa in a couple of days.
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Old Jun 19th 2013, 2:48 pm
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Default Re: Advice please?? How to plan my move with kids in tow??

I'm literally going through this process now and the light is at the end of the tunnel...... so much so I arrive in Dubai in 6wks.... we now have a school place on offer and its in the neighbourhood we wanted, so we are lucky.

Try Victory Heights Primary School - its brand new, so there may be some places available, or Safa School. We found both had availability, as does Repton but that is ridiculously expensive for no apparent reason.
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Old Jun 19th 2013, 4:46 pm
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Default Re: Advice please?? How to plan my move with kids in tow??

Originally Posted by MrBAH
I'm literally going through this process now and the light is at the end of the tunnel...... so much so I arrive in Dubai in 6wks.... we now have a school place on offer and its in the neighbourhood we wanted, so we are lucky.

Try Victory Heights Primary School - its brand new, so there may be some places available, or Safa School. We found both had availability, as does Repton but that is ridiculously expensive for no apparent reason.
repton is pricey as its an british independent sch which has to send money back and build the new one ine auh, same with brighton college in auh
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Old Jun 21st 2013, 9:17 am
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Default Re: Advice please?? How to plan my move with kids in tow??

Hi Tjas
Have done two moves in 18mths out here with kids (Aust - KSA - Qatar) - the key is to be flexible and roll with the punches. Things here take time and mostly involves lots of running around to do things that you didn't know you needed to do until you tried to get something done. If you aren't upset and worried then they won't be affected too badly. I found a sense of humour was essential!

As for schooling - at their age, whilst its great for them to be at school, if they miss a few weeks or even a term it isn't irreparable; primary schooling involves LOTS of repetition! My kids missed about 6 - 8 weeks each move - made no difference to my 4/5 yr old and very little to the 8/9 yr old. We bought a few books at their level from a bookshop - English Grammar / Reading / Maths/ Handwriting/Puzzle type which they did a couple of pages with me each day as well as us reading together (they read what they can, I do the rest) - plus we played board games, went out and explored the new city, they helped cook, went swimming/ played in park etc rather than being in front of TV or computer games for hours. So, even if you have to wait for assessments and a place there is plenty you can do to keep ticking over their schooling. Might be worthwhile talking to their current teachers and asking the question of what type of work they would be starting with in the new year (it will be a review of things from the previous year) so you have some ideas of what to do - I found that helpful on both moves.

I hate house hunting with kids too, but mine are now used to it! We always take DS/ipods for them as well as a wide variety of snacks/drinks as they get terrible when slightly hungry - plus there is also usually a treat that awaits them - if they behave! I don't know how that would work with your SEN child, but another option if you have temp accommodation may be that one of you does the "groundwork" of looking at the places whilst the other stays at 'home' with the kids. Once you have discounting the ones you definitely won't be interested in taking, then line up second viewings of all the places you are interested in, on one day and just go from house to house in one go.

As for stuff - we only brought personal things - toys and books mostly; no furniture - there are plenty of people out here that are selling stuff to leave so you can furnish the basics pretty easily and then go from there; or there is IKEA! Same with electrical stuff.
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