Maybe moving to Singapore (school waitlist)

[Abu Dhabi expat]

I know this school waitlist subject has been done to death but I'm in a bit of a dilemma.

We're currently living in Abu Dhabi and prior to this, Singapore for a few years (we loved it). My husband is talking to a few companies are there are some possibilities that we may move back to Singapore late '08/ early '09. There is also the possibility that these opportunities may fall through and we will end up staying longer in this region.

I'm quite though hopeful that the Singapore option will come through. So I'm wanting to keep our options open and place our son on the schools' waitlist (UWC or Chatsworth). As it is, I'm quite doubtful if we can get him a place in Sept '09. Our boy's four now and is studying in a British school here. Husband wants to wait and see what pans out before we pay any deposit. And that's a bone of contention between us.

Anyone been in similar shoes? Would appreciate your ideas and suggestions. Thanks!

[don't worry]

he's only 4.  why not wait and see.  there are other schools which don't have waiting lists and if you got here and couldn't get him into the schools you want, you could put him in another kindergarten and then have him on the waiting list for the year he turns 6 and moves naturally up into primary.

how long until you get your confirmation about moving here?  If you get confirmation sometime this year, then I'm sure even UWC would have a place for him by the time he goes into primary school.

[Al Khubairat]

Stay in Al Khubairat as much as you can, life is getting difficult here...

[Crunch]

international schools is having a crunch...better register early if you are coming over.

[Move Fast]

I would agree with crunch. Speaking to the UWC admissions people last week, they said they are even beginning to get wait-lists for some grades for their new Primary School for 2009 and certainly very little chance at the current school for children your sons age. My advice - move fast.

[Abu Dhabi expat]

Thanks everyone. Husband is still insisting that we should wait, to give it another 2 months or so.  Yes, we have the kindergarten option but my son thriving and enjoying going to a "school for big children" (as how he describes it), I think it wouldn't be fair for him to go back to kindergarten again.

[kindergarten's an option]

Don't worry too much if you need to use the kindergarten option. Singaporean children don't start primary school until between 6 and 7 yerars old, but they alredy learn to read, write and count in kindergarten before they start school. It is more like reception in the british system.