Moving to Singapore - Advice and Info needed please!

[BellaMummy]

My DH and two DDs (5 & 3) are moving to Singapore this year (DH in July and me a few months later after things are wrapped up in the UK), and although I've lived in Asia before that was pre-children, and many years ago.

Any practical advice from mnetters who have relocated would be fab. We are not planning on shipping very much (mostly personal things) but is there anything else you would advise we bring? Is it worth shipping our TV and other electrical appliances? Are there things you shipped that you wish you hadn't?

All advice gratefully received

X

Mummy.

Its DH's pet name for me referring to an article a while back where the journalist referred to some mums netters as laptop wielding harpies.

Am not, really

Laptop - ohhhhh...
Sorry to be nosey! I heard that a contemporary of mine was living in HK and she was a harpist - hence the question!
Have a good weekend!

Hi,
We moved here 10 months ago. Have you thought about the Australian School? It's an international Bacclaureate curriculum and my daughter loves it (she's in preschool, but it has a good reputation through the junior years - less so in upper high school, but we won't be here that long). Also worth considering are Avondale (Aust curriculum, smaller school, primary only) or Dover Court (British, but I've heard a big emphasis on drama and music too). Best of luck - it's daunting when you start but it all comes together eventually!

Hi, I have only skim read thread so apologies if I'm repeating things!

My kids are only still at preschool so no direct experience but have friends who rave about St Josephs
www.sji-international.com.sg/page.cfm?p=349
as is smaller and v nurturing.. we are at eton house on claymore (v new and lovely) for my dd (3) and we love it..

Also worth getting BCG if your kids haven't already had - we didn't so dd had to have it, and ds had it at birth.. they have quite a few cases here as such a large transient community so really recommend it.

check out www.meetup.com for a ton of meet up groups in singapore. covers loads of hobbies and so many kids/toddler meet ups really helpful to find people near you/groups to go to..

oh and the american womens association runs really good playgroups, you don't have to be a yank to join either!

if you are looking for a helper I have a couple of names of good agencies and a couple to avoid like the plague so just shout and will pass on..

also my helper sometimes knows people looking for a transfer which can be the best/cheapest way of finding someone!

good luck with move, we love it here, such a great city for kids and the expat community v welcoming!

Merlion, he gets there at the end of July/start of August and will hopefully get on with looking at schools and condos soon after. He will be pretty busy getting stuck in to finding his feet at work so am going to try and not nag down skype!

Thanks for all the school tips. Will pack DH off with a list to visit. I've been in touch with most of their admissions staff via email so ultimately it will come down to their location and availability of a space. Not sure what we will do with DD2 as yet as she was only 3 in April, but will need to find her a playgroup/kindergarten/preschool as she is very sociable and loves going to preschool here. I'll investigate when I get there. Thanks for the link to the meet-up site and for the tip on the American women association - very helpful info to have!

Pickles, thanks for the BCG tip. Will add it to my list of questions for my GP!