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Living overseas

Whether you're considering emigrating or an expat abroad, you'll find likeminds on this forum.

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Original poster

Moving to Washington DC - can anyone help? MrsApronstrings...?

61 replies

Twirl · 03/11/2006 23:02

My DH has been offered a posting to Washington DC for 2-4 years and we are trying to decide what to do. We have 2 kids DD 2.6 and DS 4 months. Before we make a final decision we are trying to get as much info as possible about where we should live, how much it might cost, what life might be like for the kids, what the quality of life is like, availability of childcare etc. DH would be working in Washington DC centre but we would be looking to rent a family home somewhere in the suburbs (although never having been to Washington I haven't got a clue where...). If anyone can offer any advice please please please get back to me, we have to decide by Monday!!!

OP posts:

Original poster

Twirl · 16/11/2006 15:06

Thanks so much for all this information, it is a fantastic help! My DH came home with the book that Mamama recommended last night and it looks really good. The Newcomers one is excellent too. I haven't got much of a clue about schools wishingchair as my DD will be nearly 3 when we move but a friend told me about these websites www.theschoolreport.com and www.usastudyguide.com. Haven't looked at them myself but I hope they help you.
Can anyone explain the pre-school options to me, they seem to have so many different names! What I will be looking for is between 3-5 half day sessions (like in the UK). What is this called over there and does it exist???

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wishingchair · 16/11/2006 19:53

... and what is "No Child Left Behind" all about ...

MamaApronstrings · 16/11/2006 23:57

ds goes to pre- school ( a play group is a group of a small no of women who chose to get together each week in one of their houses to have a coffe and get the children togather. Kindergarten is like school reception - but in the academic year they will turn 6.

Nursery or preschool is quite like in the uk - last year my son went to a progarm called 3day3s
three half days 9-12 or opt in lunch 9-1. this year he goes 5 half days (because in the uk he would be in reception and i am mindful that we will be moving back. But I pay for all of it - no susidies/vouchers etc.

No child left behind is an initiative and is bandied about liberally at school. It basically states that regardless of your child's ability and circumstances they have the right to a great education...its principle is that every child should get the resources they need to meet their potential, that really bright children have the right to be pushed and stretched with as much extra help as poss, poor children should get extra resources etc etc. dh says its chronically under funded and little more than lip service is paid to it - not entirely sure I agree.

What I would say is that dc school have a reputation for being run down and underfunded (high schools may be worse than elementary - the local news ofen has pictures of leaky roofs etc.

MamaApronstrings · 16/11/2006 23:58

nice typing !!! (should point out that i have taken anti spasmodics for my back and mixed with alcohol (whoops)

Original poster

Twirl · 22/11/2006 22:21

Cheers for the info about pre-schools mamaapronstrings, that is really helpful. I have just been looking at vaccination information and I understand that children need to have Hep B and Varicella for day care etc. Did you have this done in the UK or USA? We don't do varicella here I don't think?

OP posts:

Original poster

Twirl · 22/11/2006 22:22

Mamaapronstrings, I did CAT you, did you ever receive it? Don't worry if you were just to busy to respond .

OP posts:

MamaApronstrings · 23/11/2006 14:18

twirl - have emailed you now!

wishingchair · 12/12/2006 13:04

Yikes - we're now at 80/20 do go/don't go, and if we do, it could be as early as April. That doesn't seem too far away. Bit blinking scary to be honest.

So much to do ... not least DD2's christening.

Still not got head around schooling. So DD1 is 4 in a couple of weeks. She would start in Reception in September 2007. What would she do if we moved to US? MamaApronStrings - are you saying Kindergarten starts the school year in which they are 6?

DD has got herself so psyched up for school next year ...

Original poster

Twirl · 16/12/2006 23:11

Hi Wishingchair
It's a real dilema deciding to go isn't it! We are definitely going and will be out there for April too. I'm sh*t scared but know that if we don't go I'll regret it for the rest of my life and will hold DH back from a wonderful job. I haven't organised anything yet, I'm just waiting to get Christmas over and done with and will then swing into action. From what I have read, your DD won't start school until she turns 6 although you could find a pre-school for her in the meantime if you have the cash.
If you want to CAT me we can go thu the process together and help each other out!

OP posts:

oremstango · 24/12/2006 22:22

Hey Twirl-

I'm from the US and most recently liced in DC so more than happy to offer any tips I can if you DD me. JD

wishingchair · 01/01/2007 22:00

Hey Twirl - I will definitely CAT you. Just got back from Christmas away and trying to get organised. DH says we should be thinking we are definitely going but remember it could all go wrong. Right ... that's cleared that up then!

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