Starting a family whilst in early days of teaching .

[Dixiechick1991]

Hi all,
I'm in my nqt year at the moment but as more and more of my close friends get pregnant (without a worry in the world) - I wonder how long it is in the teaching world when you're generally allowed to start a family.
I know you couldn't be stopped but in terms of I finish my nqt year in one school snd then started at another school - I'm guessing it would be frowned upon to announce you're expecting 6 months in.

Any advice or experience?

[overmydeadbody]

I think, whatever job you do, it might be frowned upon to announce you're expecting six months in. It's no different in teaching.

And it doesn't matter if people frown, you are entitled to get pregnant and start a family when you feel ready. You could always stay at the school you are at now rather than starting at another school?

[Mostlyjustaluker]

I don't know the answer to this but you may want to check to see if there is a minimum about of time you have to be employed before you qualify for maternity pay.

[whatadrain]

I got pregnant with twins at the end of my NQT year and went on early maternity leave two weeks into the new school year. It didn't go down well at all! You must make sure you get your NQT signed off before you go on maternity leave! Also, let your LM know ASAP so they don't give you loads of year 11, 12 and 13 so they don't curse your name for the rest of the course

[shinysparklythings]

My hod knows that we are going to be trying soon. I felt that I should tell her, we are trying so that we get an October baby, so basically IF it goes to plan I will basically be off for the whole of next year. I'm currently on my 4th year of teaching, gtp, nqt's and 2 years.

I think the most important thing is to make sure you are on a permanent contract and check what you are entitled too, then just let your hod know at a suitable point so that you are not given any key classes.

[Iggi999]

I have known pg NQTs, pg student teachers, people starting a new job while pg - be in a permanent job, check you do qualify for M pay (your union could advice if you don't want to ask HR) and then do whatever is right for you and your dp fertility wise.
Honestly, it's just a job. There is never a perfect time. (Not is doing it because your friends are doing it perfect either!)

[shinysparklythings]

Sorry I meant to say that i felt u could tell her as we were talking about babies and she is very "you have to live your life", she was giving me all sorts of advice and checking that in on folc acid etc! we are also very close! I realise most people wouldn't discuss trying with their boss

[Cric]

I think whenever you decide to do it there will be something you feel guilty about. I have been in it for 10 years and felt really guilty. So do it when it is right for you and your family.

[Buttercup27]

I had 2 children during my nqt year. I left uni and couldn't get a job so did supply for 18 months. I then got offered a 1 year supply placement covering maternity leave. The day I started I found out I was pregnant. I did 1 term of nqt year. Once my maternity leave had finished I worked at a nursery for a year. During this time I became pregnant again. I left during my maternity leave as I got a full time teaching post. I am now complying nqt year with a 2 yr old and 1 yr old after leaving uni in 2010. Not the easiest route to take and it is hard work bit I love both parts of my life. If you want kids go for it. You never know how long it will take.

[DriftingOff]

I had a baby in the middle of my PGCE year! Honestly, you can have a baby when you want, we don't live in China, we live in a free country! There will ALWAYS be people who disapprove when you get pregnant, you'll either be too young/too old, not enough/too many qualifications, messing work around, only doing for the maternity pay/not getting maternity pay, having too many - I could go on and on, the list is endless. Just ignore the lot of them, including your friends and just have a baby when you feel it's right for you. Many, many people have got pregnant in their NQT year, or realised they're pregnant just after they start a new job, that's life, and their bosses/colleagues have coped just fine (although probably with a fair bit of whinging).

Also, it never ceases to amaze me the number of women who come on here saying they're going to have a baby in a certain month! It's not always that easy! I got pregnant straight away with my first, so assumed the same thing would happen with my second. Well, 2 years and 2 miscarriages after TTC, my second baby finally arrived. And I feel very lucky to have her - there are many people who struggle a lot more than I did.

[Dixiechick1991]

Thank you for advice everyone.
It seems realistically I should wait to be settled into a permanent job

I know once I've completed nqt year I basically have to work another 6 months before I could get pregnant and have full maternity pay.

Contact for nqt is only temporary so I'll be looking for another job - oh well.

At he end of the day - I don't want to be almost 40 when I try like someone else I know because she never found the right time!

[hollie84]

Ideally I think I'd do a year in a permanent job before becoming pregnant.