FS1 Assessment experience
I applied for my three-year-old a year in advance, for September 2014. In January 2014, I got an email from Horizon Al Safa, Dubai, giving a specific date and time for an assessment. I have to admit that I was extremely nervous – but I decided not to stress Rania out and just let her be herself. I just told her that we were going to see a ‘school for big girls’ and that it would all be very exciting.
The assessment turned out to be very clear and simple – just what’s needed for kids of under three years old. Once at the school, we all waited at reception and each child was put into a group and, in turn, each group was asked to go into a playroom.
Parents were allowed in, which was a great relief for me. The teachers observed her and the other kids, doing their rounds and chatting with some of them. Rania and I played together and had a few other kids joining us as well.
I thought the environment was ideal – it didn’t scare the kids away or make them feel intimidated. We were then asked to go outside to the sand area, where the kids went off to play while we watched (just like at a park, really). Rania didn’t want to go home!
By 20 January, we were offered a place. The whole process was very efficient, I have to say.
The only drawback was that, once I got an offer, I only had three days to confirm and put the deposit down, which meant I had to cancel assessment in all other schools. In this case, Horizon was my preferred school, so it worked out well but, if it hadn’t been, it would have killed all my other options…
[Compare UAE schools | Related: Assessments for FS1: What to expect | School registration open dates 2015/16]
When I was informed that my daughter, Rana (now 3 yrs) was to go through an assessment for admission at Gems Royal Dubai School, I must say that I was very nervous. Even more nervous than I was when I sat for my finals at university. Rana is my second child and, for parents who think it will be easier second time round, think again! I kept talking about it with her the week prior to the assessment to get her used to the idea of going to school.
When D-Day arrived we were up bright and early, dressed and off we went. At school, I could feel she was nervous but kept comforting her that she would be alright. I was asked to complete a form about what my child likes: Does she know how to count? Can she write? Is she potty trained? Can she recognize shapes? That alone worried me as Rana was only 2 and a half at the time and very young! Was she expected to know this all?
Once the form was completed, a teacher introduced herself and provided some details of the process to us. At first Rana was reluctant to go to the teacher but she was slowly coaxed and, within 2 minutes, she was holding the teacher’s hand and was off to her assessment. I was very surprised as she had never been to a nursery before and had spent the first two and a half years of her life with me and her nanny. So, it was a pleasant surprise to see her go for her assessment. I must say that the teacher’s approach was fantastic.
She was back within 5 minutes and my worry began again. How did she do? Why did she come back so quick when the assessment was due to last 15 minutes? I was told to expect a call from the school within 2 weeks, which was stressful and never-ending. Two weeks later, we got a call informing us that Rana had passed the admission test with flying colours and was accepted to FS1. We were extremely proud of her and, looking back, it wasn’t that bad…