QUICK GUIDE TO FINDING A NEW SCHOOL

Parents who have just landed in the country first need to pick a curriculum and are advised to look for schools in their local area.

The next step is to call schools and find out if they have places available in the particular class. Parents also need to find a school within their budget.

Deepika Thapar Singh, principal of Credence High School in Dubai, said the school organises a tour and sets up a meeting with the child. The child may have to take a test. Many schools also accept online applications.

“We don’t want the child to miss out on school time, so we try to complete the admission process immediately so that the child can start school the next day,” Ms Singh said.

If the pupil does not have an Emirates ID, Dubai’s Knowledge and Human Development Authority is informed and permission is sought so that the child may begin school.

Parents are asked to supply the documents by a certain time.

Marta Topornicka, director of admissions at education provider Taaleem, advised parents to look for good schools in their area.

“Check their websites and if you like what you see, go over,” she said. “It’s often about what feels right. Visiting the school is crucial.” .

If the parent has no Emirates ID they can still for apply for admission because they have a 30-day grace period to secure the documents. The child can attend school in the interim.

Admissions can take as little as a day with the child starting school the next day.