Dubai: Assurances given by a property developer to build a new nursery in Jebel Ali comes as no solution for parents as the facility will open only in 2009.
The young ones at the Jebel Ali Village Nursery will now have to look elsewhere for admissions this September much to the concern of their parents who are keeping their fingers crossed for a temporary solution from the nursery management.
"I want to keep my daughter at the same nursery so that she can stay with her friends and I want to maintain that," said Alison, mother of a two-year-old pupil.
The nursery caters to children from 16 months to four years. It currently has 150 children on its rolls and employs 30 staff members.
The nursery is set to close down its doors by August 31 because of project work by property developer Nakheel.
The property developer had given land to the nursery next to Ibn Battuta mall, which is expected to be ready by 2009. The problem faced by the parents is where their children will go during the interim period.
"I do not know what to do. The other nurseries I have applied to are already full for the next academic year and she will have to be kept on the waiting list," she said.
The Jebel Ali Village redevelopment project is expected to take five years to complete. "We have tried to assist them and have offered as much help as we could. It is unfortunate that we were unable to come to an agreement," said Aaron Richardson, Media Relations Manager of the developer Nakheel.
A parent, however, said that the alternative solution was not viable because of the high costs involved.
But Jebel Ali Primary School will keep the school open until the new premises are ready by next year. "We are developing the area around the school and we assure that it will be safe for children to attend their classes," said Richardson.
I do not know what to do. The other nurseries I have applied to are already full for the next academic year and she will have to be kept on the waiting list