Doha College

My daughter joined Doha College in September 2021, she loved going to school until her next year of Year 9, (she joined in year 8 2021 September), a few months after starting Year 9 she got severely bullied and discriminated. It went on for two months until I noticed she was scared to go to school. She would make excuses to get out of school because she was physically scared to go to school. At one point the teachers did find out what had happend; as my daughter was too scared to tell anyone what she was going through, and it wasn’t just the bullying, she also got threatened on text messages and in school, ( I’m not going to go into detail) but the teachers were extremely unprofessional about her situation in school, they did absolutely nothing to help her with her situation she had at school. They did nothing to help her but make her sit in the office all day long. In fact, my daughter was suspended because she was being discriminated and bullied.

The teachers and the education isn’t the best either, the teachers make the students do their work on their school iPads in which the teachers sit by their desk on their phones in silence, they don’t go through work, don’t summarize anything.

As well as the PowerPoint slides they show the students at dc are highly unprofessional, they copy paste them off the internet and don’t summarize them to the kids. The facilities are great, although, the air conditioning never works, barely blows anything through the ‘vents’ and yet most of the hallways are outside in the heat! I pulled my daughter out of DC as I got fed up with their unprofessional system of teaching!

this is so stupid I like doha college its a really gd school :)

I dread to think what a 3 year old would be like that had never been to nursery.....I'm not sure who would be most affected, the child or the mother!.....

Hi all,

I went to DC for the first time a couple of weeks ago for this "alleged interview " for my 3 year old son.We both enjoyed the time we had there,we were given a briefing about what will happen,we took our kids to the preschool class left them there when we felt comfortable and I was "interviewed" for about 10 minutes,while my son was playing with other kids in the class.If u want yr child to have British education and u do not hold a British passport,DC is the best alternative from DESS.I dont care if the buildings arent brand new,coz my child is going to learn not buy the property,as long as the facility has all the safety standards and as i have seen,everyone there is helpful and friendly.What good are bulidings ( like the ASD) if a 9 year old still cant write proper letters,no offense but i have seen that with my own eyes with a perfectly normal kid in ASD,and if DC wasnt a really good school i wouldnt have applied there in the first place.SO PLS to all who dished the school,go have another look and read the reviews.The other thing is this U R IN DOHA....so the chances of getting on a waiting list are huge,but actually getting into the school is something else.If a child has NOT been to a nursery before it would be intimidating and BTW DC does not accept children who didnt attend nursery.

mine too ;)

her 3 year old daughter was accepted in Doha College, she received the good news this morning... :)

congrat's kiddo... :)

Hmm.. they're probably asking the poor 3-year old kid whether Barack Obama is worth a second term in office! Seriously, I'm sorry for what happened to Catherineanne's daughter. I just hope it doesn't happen to my som whom I'm hoping to enrol in one of Doha's elite schools, which, from what I gather, DESS happens to be one.

Soul, how the hell have I been bad press for DC? I was a a worried parent and justifiedly so! How can I give it bad press, I've only been there once!......

Get the facts straight first...Oh, which teacher is it that I apologise to then??.....

You are worried about your 3 year old and I am worried about my friends grown-up daughter who has to stay back in Doha college for the whole night as part of her curriculum!

Soul considered yourself lucky..Guess you have been here for a while now, when DC used to be DIS and they would accept any one and everyone. But with the demand of workforce and more people coming to Doha the pressure has been on DC and other school to become selective..

As Dora above mentions above that it has got to an extent now when the slection process for some is becoming unbearable.. DC is afine example of a good school, however the question here is from a propective newbie to DC not from the already settled kinds.

I have had the best and worst of DC for my kids. I am just highlighting the problems that some new parents might or might not face.

This thread is for new comers and they way they are treated and what they should expect. Not for the previlege old timers.

Thanks you.

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HE WHO DARES WINS

I am very happy for you that you are pleased with your children's school. From what I hear and see on this and other related threads, it is no small feat (here or anywhere actually!).

I also have to say that 99% of what I have heard about Doha College is very positive and would probably make it the hope of a lot of parents to get a spot there.

However, I just wanted to say that if a child did not get into DC, it's not because they are not "worthy of holding the title of Doha College student." There are a lot of factors that go into accepting a child at any school, such as passport, parent's employment, etc, and DC is no exception. In some cases, you can't even get on the list to get to an entrance exam.

But seriously, it's very encouraging to read about parents' positive experiences; we need to hear more of those!

this thread has been bad press for doha college preschool and i know that the preschool and the rest of the school is the best we could wish for, and if you are a parent who has children who has passed any kind of entrance test to get into doha college, you dont have to think of your child as elite but as a child who is a good example of a student who is worthy of holding the title of doha college student, just like my 3 children who have passed through a truley fine example of a well run bristish school, and might i add i still have children who are going through the upper end of the school. Being a parent of children who have gone through primary and secondary you just have to watch the production of hairspray to know you want your child to be part of DOHA COLLEGE just like me...

well lets hope dora the explorer your child gets in cos i heard the school also takes in to consideration the parents and you do not show a good example my love, maybe you should be saying sorry to DC cos you gave lots of bad press for them and lets hope they dont know who your child is cos i would give you as a parent a wide berth.

I don’t want to comment on child Interview at Doha College , but Behavior and attitude of the school officials and management , off course this should not be tolerate,

This institution is running with highest fees structure, and all of us knows about 90% of the enrolments are getting paid by there employers ( apart from some Nationals ) and school management knows this very well that they will cover there seats , they will only know school real value when there will be some unfortunate ( sorry to say ) like financial downfall from companies, ( like a huge redundancy some thing what currently going on in Dubai ) then this sort of so call high class school will not interview even for collage application. In the end buddies all of this funny practice is just publicity stun,

I can speak from experience, my daughter said she didn't want to leave after she had been there!!! So, it can't be that bad!

Going back to the original thread and ignoring all the sniping. It's a real shame you didn't stay Catherineanne. My daughter was being 'interviewed' that day and thoroughly enjoyed the experience, crying when we had to leave. There were some children who were a little stressed in the beginning when their parents left the room, but within a couple of minuntes they had forgotten their fears and were as inquisitive as the rest.

I think sometimes we underestimate our kids and it is more our fears than the kids that prevent us from letting them experience things. That said, you know your own child and if you weren't comfortable then you did the right thing.

One comment I did object to though was "shunt their kids off to full-time nursery at the age of one - perhaps these kids are used to this kind of thing but I found it really cruel and barbaric". There are some of us who don't have a choice and maybe greater sensitivity with one's phrasing should be called for in future. I consider this practice neither cruel or barbaric and I hope my confident, articulate daughter is testament to this belief. Good luck with the hunting. BTW my daughter is currently at Tots Corner and loves it. They have a Big Tots class of 3-4 year olds and offer a choice of 3,4 or 5 days a week without interview, but get your name down early as places fill up.

wow UKEng... your wife have her hand full with the driving around !

Why you choose tots corner not star fish lane that not far from DESS so less driving around for you missus?

No Novi, that is seperate..

This was a advance Registration/Tution fee. To be paid at the time of confirmation of accepting the place, otherwise the place will be allocated to the next best canidate. There is no capital development fee for pre-School kids, only starts when the kids start Primary school and above..

Yes Novi the elder one has got a place in DESS but the younger one is still on waiting list at DC and DESS and few other schools and is now in Tots Corner just to keep her busy..

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HE WHO DARES WINS

UK Eng ... that 3000 QR non refundable confirmatioan fee, is it the same with yearly QR 3000 capital fee.

I know few good teachers there have left because they not happy with the management.

I probably misunderstood you, but i thought you mentioned sometimes back that DESS offered a place for one of your girl?

KH I know this information coz my 3 year old was a successful canidate last year..

Only problem was that after I paid the QR3000 non refundable confirmation fee, the next week wife decide to go back to the UK. So she never attended the Pre-School at DC. My older 5 year old one was accepted at DC about 2 years ago. The wife and daughters are back now in Qatar but on the waiting list at DC again..:(

So there you go now you know how I know all this information..

Pity was that my 10 year old son failed the DC assessment three times over 2 years and never made it, even though he had a British Passport and a siblng at DC..

You win with some and you loose some.

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HE WHO DARES WINS

Hola Dora..

Motor skills I am refering to if she can write..Dont worry dear you will find out these words when you start taking your kids to Nurseries..lol

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HE WHO DARES WINS

I would be obliged if any one could tell me weather I will get a flat (1 bedroom rent) in doha for 2000-2500 rials for my family.....

PM, Dora is an inspiration to all! My daughter can count to ten in Spanish thanks to her but, she does have a terrible fear of Swiper........

I'll post my experiances on this topic later if you catch my drift ( DC that is...) ;)

Just sad to read those comments. Shocking, actually... So unexpected :(( considering that lots of people are reading this...

PM .... I have the same taught as you too .....

thank you hyperactive for having a cool heads ...

Wow!Amazed by those comments! Really now, we're all adults here. Please maintain your cool heads... Peace, everyone...

How do you know all those tricks? Were you interviewed? Personally I do not mind if the mistress is gorgious

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UkEngQatar....she doesn't have any motor skills...she watches 'Top Gear' so i'm sure she'll have some soon!

Never seen Novita77 being so angry over somebody...BTW, If u r worndering I joined new to QL..No..I messed up my pswd and my ID got revoked hence this new ID...

Cool Novita..

Ok tips for your Kids who are taken this assessment/Interview

Child must speak English

Know his/her colours

must be able to count to 10

must have motor skills..

The list goes on and on..

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HE WHO DARES WINS

Wish me luck!!

this is the right thing from bigining that interveiw is taken at the age of 3, because after that she has to give interveiw in all stages so let us start very early........

;) well and truly lost....

I'm fully aware that its the kids that get accepted and not the adults!!!!!!! If u read back some of the adults are behaving rather like children and could probably do with going back to school!!!!!!!!!!! My comments were made rather tongue in cheek!!!!!!!!!!!! Perhaps my humour has been lost here!

Hmmmmmm DoraTheExplorer aka SuperNurse by any chance????

Mm dottymum, its actually the children that get accepted...not the adults...just to clarify....

I couldn't agree more with you dottymum ...And please except my apologize if I'm become emotional to those people who try to push my button

If some QLers have personal problems with each other, then i think that they should be sorted out privately. I'm shocked at the attitude and language used in this thread. It's gone totally off the subject. GROW UP AND STOP ACTING LIKE KIDS IN THE PLAYGROUND!!!!!!!!!!! DC will never accept you if you continue this childish behaviour!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Infact no school will!!!!!!!!!!!!!

At the end of the day everyone has the right to their opinions about certain schools. This forum, as said before, is here to give support and advice. If you don't have anything good to say about one and another then don't say anything at all.

Vegas I always like your motto ....forget and forgive ....

You can't teach experience...

I think your all wonderful people who just care about your kids...I think we just got caught up in something that went out of control...I think a good MOD would just delete this and we all go our own ways...

I'm very sad to read the way we talk about us as we all were friends at one time...And that we have to worry if we see each other at a gathering and what might happen...

Please just delete this thread and we all live our lives...And If I see any of you at a gathering I will hug you...Forgive and forget...God bless you all

You can't teach experience...

it doesn't matter where the kids go to school now, but what ever they gonna be in the future, that what matter...

look at President obama ....he spend 4+ years at SDN 01 Besuki, Indonesia .... and look at him now ...the president of USA ...He only go to SDN .... Sekolah Dasar Negeri, not a private school...... but yet at the end he achieve title of the President of USA.

second,

I dont owe anybody explanation about my family, especially not in QL , But u never know that Ur doubt might be wrong.

Other than bless ur heart and hope u have happy life .....

I make peace with all of u ....and i hope u do to

All my post on this topic were erased by the moderator.. looks like we have plenty of Doha College PR ppl here.

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HE WHO DARES WINS

Well said Novi

Indorachel has no idea

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HE WHO DARES WINS

indorachel, I hope you don't work at DC.............if you do, you are extremely bad PR and I will find out what connection you have to them. Not very good PR to have an aggressive incoherent worker that is putting off potential parents and children from going to DC is it???

Be careful.........

somebody need to go back to her/his prescription and stop doing the 'sh1t stirrer'.

Indorachel, you are bit behind, I don't believe I have a actually mentioned the 'interview in question since the 22nd January, maybe you mean to say this to the original poster not me, maybe you are confused.......or maybe you or nothing but a shit stirrer??mmmm?

It is the natural result of demand and supply formula.

More schools are coming up, less sudents available due to economic crisis. Although Qatar is not affected like neighboring countries but some expatriates are leaving. The clear image will be availale at the end of the current academic year.

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I'm curious why do you say that schools next year will lay out the red carpet?

SN .... I wish u do get a good school for ur 3 yrs old daughter .....

If u dont agree with the way DC run their interview or then take ur application out from there and find the place ur suit with , a lot of people already give you so many suggestion .....I hope somebody will cater to you , they way u want it to ......

Vegas....we can safely assume that...next...

Morning UK, i lost my post as well on this thread. I think it must during the time Ahmad and Qatari launching the restaurant thread.

My son is 7th now ... when he started the nursery we applied DC, Park House and DESS. And got interviewed by the 3 schools mentioned. DC he interviewed one to one by Mrs.Williams. I find it no problem at all. Same case with Park House interviewed by Mrs.Brennan (one to one).

DESS more like group interview. They gathered all the kids, and parents inside DESS nursery, parents can watched while the nursery teachers doing small conversation with the kids. Basically they jst want to test wether the kids speaks sufficient english and knows the basic (like number, shape, colours).

We being offered a place by 3 schools, but we chose DESS in the end. And no regret till now :) Very good school ...

I dont know how they assessed, but DESS are in the top 5 percents of school when compare to the UK.

Hey where did my post go..Looks like they dont like the truth..

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HE WHO DARES WINS

You can't teach experience...

Do not worry. Next year all the schools will lay the red capet for you and the principals like Doha College's will open your car door and have it parked,washed, serviced while you do the registration process. They will provide you with a multiple choice interview techniques, one of the choices is "interview is not necessary"

btw. Doha College is not an elite institution. It is just a prestigious name with shallow curricula. Like a nice lookig soap bubble

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at the level of aggression on this thread - I will find another I think! Aren't we all supposed to support each other...... on this forum and in life generally if we can ...... I bet I'll get some stick now but I just wanted to say that - life can be cruel enough without needless aggression.....

PM - my son is at pre school already 5 days a week and fine with it - I am just concerned that he would find an interview disturbing with strangers as seems to be the case with Doha college but thanks for the advice you sound a caring person.

indorachel...what the hell is your problem woman? You continue to taunt me like a bad smell...If I could actually understand what the hell you are on about half time the you might get the hint.....now go and bug someone else....

Did u take yours any way ??? or maybe u take too much ????

that why the dose is might not be correct anymore ....

Go out.... get urself a pamper ...and relax ...

u seems need it ..... a person like u can definitely need it ... it will help all of us a lot ....

'chill pill' lol sooo passe honey.....

I guess the chill pills effect is not working yet ... maybe u need to high up the dose....

indorachel..* Yawns *.....darling, please go and bore someone else with your rantings....its rather tedious now lovey......

SN ..... u need to take u chill pills

Given you pay for education in Qatar I would think if the parent had preferences and asked not to be sepearated from the child or in the same room they would not disagree, since the well being of the child should be in the best interests of the parents and the school! I do remember a very popular school in the past trying everything to only accommodate children from one company and they would use any excuse in the book to get rid of others. Who knows maybe the seats are extra valuable again these days. Given their are not enough spaces they can basically do anything, much like rentals, and food!

Supply and demand so to speak.

Oi, Indorachel...bugger off will you with your snide comments?.....Theres a hint of the green eyed monster round here methinks.....I'm single btw.....weirdo....

Dear ellie.d ...love ur comment ...

and yes I agree with u ....

It could be worse - we could be stuck in the UK in the middle of a depression!!!!!!!

It really could be a lot worse, so let's try to be positive......

How come SN can just do that ....

Be positive and chill out as she should be grateful to be here and her hubby still have a Job.....

Well said ellie.d! It really could be a lot worse, so let's try to be positive.

I have to say that my children do not go to DC, so I am not familiar with the "interviewing" process there. In a way, I can really understand both sides. On the one hand, it is very disconcerting for parents to feel that their (very young!) children are being judged and put in a stressful situation. However, it is often less stressful than we may think, especially if the staff know what they're doing (and from everything I hear about DC, they do). Children often surprise us with their strength and courage.

As always, good luck to us all in the various schools we deal with and in doing right by our children!

Kags - my daughter had an interview at DC last year and it was exactly as you have described. There wasnt really an interview as such (I think they just call it that to formalise it - maybe they should think of another name for it - suggestions please).

I have always found the staff at DC very friendly and happy to discuss issues (no my children dont go there but my daughter did have an interview as I said before).

I think the safest thing for any parent looking to place their 3 year old at school is to really look around at all the options - dont just go by what you have heard on the grapevine because what is one persons preference may not be the best for all kids.

SuperNurse - you are regular poster on QL and I have shared a few discussions with you in the past - I am truly sorry that you are getting such a bashing re this subject. I guess its quite an emotive issue - and for the record I wouldnt want my child to have a one to one interview either - but for pre-school its not that way at all so please dont worry about your little one as she will be in a group for interview and if you have any concerns at all you ought to give the school a call - I am sure they would be delighted to answer your questions and concerns.

Chill out guys - it could be worse - we could be stuck in the UK in the middle of a depression!!!!!!!

As a parent that has just been through the 'interview' with my son at DC, I can only praise the caring professional way that it was handled. 'Interview' is perhaps a strong/wrong word to use to describe the procedure.

On arrival we were spoken to as a group by the headteacher who clearly explained what was going to happen. The children were invited to play in the class, which was a Preschool class, set up appropriatly for a freeplay. My son was more than happy to play with the cars and garage on the mat. The other 7 or 8 children that were there also seemed content to be left in the care of the Preschool teachers. The children were not taken from us by strangers.

We then went to have tea and coffee and an informal chat with the Head whilst the children played and were informally assessed by the Staff.

I cannot believe what I am reading on this thread.....it doesnt sound at all like the 'interview' my son and I had. I wish more parents would speak up who have gone through the procedure of entering DC at Preschool.

Didn't think you would SN!!!

There are sooo many other schools, try park house ive heard its good try Dess why DC? It isnt the only school here as for the headmaster saying its "Elite" well he shouldve said it in past tense coz its not anymore.

Here they call it an interview, i freaked out too when i heard the principal wanted to interview my son at his school but what she did was she basically started a conversation with him and just signalled me to go sit at the other end of the room for her to sort of get to know him better and he felt comforted knowing i was there and spoke comfortably. Take your time and look around there are good schools around town. Good luck.

Dottie, yes it probably should be 'prerogative' thank you so much for taking the time to point it out...however I don't give a toss if it's spelt right or not quite frankly!.....

SN - shouldn't that be prerogative?? Maybe DC would help you to spell properly.....lol

SN , U said "waiting for an interview at DC"

GOOD LUCK FOR THE INTERVIEW ...

Good for you if u still "waiting" after all that comment u make about DC ..... U must have a big heart then ....

I'm Happy for you ....

I'm entitled to cuss alot, its my perogative....

You can't teach experience...

Vegas, I'm not feckin British, if you are referring to me!

You can't teach experience...

Ok, lets get this straight. I read a post on QL about the 3yr old interviews at DC. Quite disturbing reading from one concerned parent. It would, therefore, be natural, as a mother of a 3 yr old waiting for an interview at DC to be concerned, non?.. Its not about judgement but a natural wariness after hearing such a story!

Gods gift to Doha or something???

You can't teach experience...

SN Glad that u going to check it out yourself ...at least u will give them a chance before u judge them .....

May Peace be with you .....

No Shyte Sherlock......

If one person gonna take the child in for interview then oh hell no....Too nmany perverts in this world...

But if it is a supervised interview then its fine...

They need to know if the child is ready...

You can't teach experience...

FFS, Indorachel, is this your bloody school or something? Do you own it? These are parents with valid concerns..Take your PR somewhere else...and your sarcastic comments....

We'll see for ourselves, thanks....

I am sure DOha college is a good school but I feel that most three year olds know and would clearly feel the difference between being left in a room with adult strangers which is what they are at that point of this initial interview and being greeted by teachers in a classroom on the first day with lots of other little ones there so I don't feel it tests that they are ready for the classroom environment anyway. My son is 3 and I know he would not stay in such an "interview" situation as he would find it a bit odd and suspiious I think but is fine with the every dayness of pre school now. I am put off Doha college if this is the interview technique for new starters so many thanks for this thread it has been very useful! Park House sounds more up our street I will make enquiries soon

Ainsley , Thank you for your sharing great experience ...I guess some people like to bashing your school and hoping for the best ...and they dont realize their chance to DC is would be great experience for their children ..... I'm sure if they get the spot for their children in DC and got the experience you got in DC ...They wont admit it that they've been bad mouthing DC here in QL ...I really hope they get their peace in life by bad mouthing about DC here in QL ....

May peace be with them ....

Dottie, it will not have been Mark Leppard, they have a primary principal at DC.

Mark is always very gracious, as is his lovely wife.

catherineanne - 'preserve her childhood from this kind of cruelty'. Bit strong isn't it?? Hardly cruelty for professional educators to talk to your three year old.

As for finding the principal rude and dismissive, I find that very hard to believe - are we talking about Mr Leppard? He has worked wonders with DC and the kids all adore him, he knows them all by name and is very well liked and respected by students, staff and parents alike. I guess you have paraphrased what was said.

I agree the school is a bit run down, but they are trying to improve it given the constraints they have to work within (ie lack of space). Both my kids are very happy there and are receiving a good, balanced education. One of the pitfalls of being an ex-pat is constantly having to move schools, and inevitably, there will be something about the school you eventually choose that is not to your liking, but that's the case with every school the world over, private or not.

I thank my lucky stars that my kids have received an excellent education in various countries, not just academically, but socially and culturally too.

Whatever you said SN ..... I m sure you'll be happy when your daughter in Doha College ...and I really hope you will able get her in Doha College ..... And I hope your questioning about Doha College will make u happy .... and I'll be happy for u when u send your daughter for her first day there ....

wow, this is a stressful thread!!

Catherineanne, I know it seems rather cruel to have a 3 year old taken away with strangers on her own, been there and done that.

I believe they do it to test if the child is ready, i.e. waiting to see if the child will cry and hang on to the mothers leg.

Whilst I agree with you, and prefer the concept of Mum being with child during the interview, I guess it's the system D. College has decided to adopt. Therefore, I suppose one has to accept the same if set on DC. Nevertheless, I think an interview with Mum present (in my opinion) is better. The child will feel a bit more comfortable with the new experience, and may tend to be more talkative with Mum in the background. I am sure they come across interviews whereby kids don't open their mouths, yet are chatterboxes when in a comfortable environment.

As for the rude manner of the principal, that is just not acceptable at all. Firstly, educators should set the bar in various ways, including basic decorum. I am aware that demand is high, but this should not result in being spoken to in such a manner. It seems that the principal forgot the schools own slogan! It is a shame that some teachers working at D.C doing their best, and working with their heart are pulled down by the attitude of the school at times.

indorachel....why will remember it? Sounds ominous!

SN .......thx very much ... I will take the offer...and Good luck to you.....

Hope u will remember this thread when u send ur daughter for her first day at Doha College ....

Sorry, yes I did Alexa.......No worries! after that I will not be going down that route.....Thanks for the advice!! :)

indorachel, oh, sorry, you mean you want my daughters place? My, you write well for a 3 year old, you will definatley get in if you had an interview!

SN as much as questioning about the Doha College ...I just hope that u did pull ur daughter application from them ..If I have 3 yrs old ..I would love to take ur spot ......

did you apply for september 2009?or for starting school straightaway?just wanted to find out coz ive applied for nursery for my 3 year old and was wondering whether they have already started calling for interviews....

Try Park House English School. The way that my 5 year old son was interviewed and tested was lovely. Not at all pushy and the gentleman interviewing and assessing him really spoke to him at his level. I was invited into the room along with him. It was expected that as a parent that i would go into the room with my son.

First day of school my son cried which was to be expected, he started school 2 weeks later than the rest of his peers. I stayed with him, he was made to feel very welcome and special and after half an hour he told me i could leave.

Im surprised that Doha College handles things this way as it has a very good reputation in Doha.

Again don't hestitate in contacting Park House, but be quick, places go fast in Doha.

Good luck

im really mesmerized by SN., :) your so cute! (im mean it in evry good way.,)

_________________

call me ONE.

i guess they will just talk to your kids like kiddie talk. like what psychiatrist do. talk to them in a nice way ofcourse.

PM, yes! I'm worried that she'll feel uncomfortable and intimidated because she has also been on 'waiting' lists for 'elite' nurseries but never subjected to a bloody interview! I don't have much choice if this is the way it is done and I knew there was an interview but stupidly assumed parents would be present. I also find it strange that any 3 year old would willingly be parted happily from their parents to complete strangers all for an interview......exactly what are they looking for? she already has an in depth report from her nursery!

it was the middle of the day and hundreds of kids were streaming out of classrooms laughing and carrying on - it was horrible. My child was so intimidated by the noise and atmosphere of this place. She was terrified.

To be ghonest, it is a very run-down looking school anyway. It was cramped and looked as if they were trying to use every available space to fit as many kids into the school as possible asn make as much money as possible. The place has bad karma and I like to to think my daughter picked up on this.

Come on guys, this in not New York. Do we really want to have out 3 year old children 'interviewed'?

how do you know it was bloody interview ??? I know who will do the interview she is a very nice person , She only want to know your child personality .... again if u do have a problem with it than you have an option to not take ur kids there and just move on and take ur kids to the place u convertible with..... Everybody have their reason how to run their business or school or what ever they manage or have ...we as a person have the right to reject it to ....

Again the separation from the parent during the interview is only the beginning of it ...... U have to separate them when the actually in school ...I m sure u realize that .... So what's the different between separate them for only 20 min....and separate them for the rest of the day during school year ???Just like PM ...Im trying to understand ur objection too ...and come on , Im sure u know how the school in Doha run by know ..U can never get what u want , u just have to work with what they have ..... And if u still cant take it ...try homeschool ..I did it before (not here) and I love every single minutes being an educator for my kids, and I still do it here in Doha to add from what I think is not enough from the school, because I believe education is coming from home....So it all ur choice .....

Well that all my 2 cents worth....

U can always take it or not ...

Good luck

indorachel, like the original poster was saying, its not the 'interview' its the separating the 3 year old from parents for a bloody 'interview'.....I can understand 5 years onwards but 3? Come on.....

Ladies , They are not trying to test the 3 years old like High school test or anything ...they try to see how far is ur children with the enviromental of their class . I agree with the principal , because if u dont like them there is always other school in Doha , and you can always bring ur child in other school ....and I know for sure they will do the same thing ...they will interview the child just like Doha College .....

Good luck

Well, my daughter has been at nursery since she was 5 months old (full time, I hasten to add) and she is quite used to socialising etc etc, but this sounds quite bizarre that the parents are asked to leave which would surely upset a 3 year old and if they don't 'interview' well does that mean they don't get a place?!

One of the reason for this kind of behaviour is coz they have plenty of students coming in to take admissions and less seats available. So they are happy to send someone home back. All the schools are having very rude behaviour with kids parents. I am really sorry to read about your experience. I hope ministry of Education steps in to fix the issue.

Peace.

I'm rather concerned now and that attitude from the Headmaster (or whatever they're called these days) is quite scary!!

Eeeekk! I've just sent my application for my 3 year old to go there and hopefully will await an 'interview'! There is no way my daughter would stay in a room with adult strangers! If she doesn't stay in the room does she therefore 'fail' her interview? OMG!