As the former British Prime Minister Tony Blair once said ‘Education, education, education’ is vital for all children of today and even more so in the lives of those who move overseas. This thread picks up the subject of education for those moving to the United Arab Emirates and has a lot to offer for families thinking of moving to the area.

While the thread initially starts off with a list of British schools in the region it very quickly moves on to take in schools of all nationalities as well as nursery establishments. However, perhaps more importantly there are a number of people on hand who have been through the often difficult process of choosing the correct school for your child or nursery for a really young child. You can get all of the paperwork correct to enter and move to the country but you also need to ensure that life is as normal as possible for the children and while taking in some of the local culture they need to be in a school where they feel comfortable and the standards are high.

One problem which some posters have commented upon is the cost of schools and nurseries in the UAE and the need to balance the standards available with what you can actually afford. There is also the opportunity of asking your employer to contribute to the cost as many are desperate to keep their employees happy and build up a long term presence in the area.

Summary

When you have decided to move to another country to start a new life it can be very easy to take elements such as education for granted and just assume that you will be able to sort something when you get there. If only this were true!

As a number of posters on this thread point out it can be very difficult to get on the list of a good school or nursery, never mind actually getting your child into the establishment. To be successful and to get the best for your family you need to be aware of which schools are accessible to you and plan ahead, entering your name on the list as soon as you know your application to emigrate has been accepted. Leaving it too late could see you forced to choose schools you may not have chosen otherwise, or worse, you may not be able to find a school in the area!

The list of all language schools in the region is vital to those looking for a good school and the indication of prices for one nursery gives a useful pointer to those looking at this field. This seems to be one of those threads which will grow and grow with at least one vocal member of the forum not around at the moment but likely to assist on their return.

As with any school sites in the UK or other areas of the world it is easy to look at their site and be impressed, but feedback from those on the ground is worth ten times a random testimony on a school website. You cannot afford to get this wrong as it will affect the future education of your child one way or another.

Read more abour Schools in Dubai and the UAE.