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Original poster

To ask if you’d reduce or change your working hours for school pick ups?

38 replies

standaloneinthecity · 29/10/2024 07:19

I’m a teacher, three days a week.

Two children, one nearly four (starts school September 25) and one fourteen months old.

This year has been really hard and I appreciate we are only a few weeks into it. My younger child’s sleep is poor which means my sleep is poor, I’m often going to work after only a few hours broken sleep which is affecting my performance, and I’m finding it really tough,

The school we like most for our older child doesn’t have the best wraparound. It only starts at 8 and ends at 415. If I continued with my current hours they couldn’t attend that school. I could reduce my hours further and work for two days a week but spread across three.

I have a private source of income and I worked full time until I had my first child four years ago.

What would you do?

OP posts:
Original poster
standaloneinthecity · 29/10/2024 07:33

I know @prescribingmum But realistically if a school want you to leave, then they can do that. And since I have two children two school years apart it’s a nine year commitment in a sense and it will also take me into my fifties which is a time you’re often vulnerable to being managed out. I shouldn’t fret about it, but it is an issue unfortunately.

OP posts:
JellyBellies · 29/10/2024 07:32

I wouldn't put my child in a school that did not not have wrap around. Or find a childminder that does before and after school for that school.

If you are both working you need reliable childcare in place. Then you don't need to chnage your hours.

MotherOfCrocodiles · 29/10/2024 07:32

Assuming you can go back up to more hours fairly easily-

Once your child is in school you might be able to sort another class option such as a childcare swap with another family for after school (or find a childminder) and put your hours back up

Also your younger child's sleep will probably have improved a lot more hence she is 26 months rather than 14 so it won't be this hard

prescribingmum · 29/10/2024 07:31

I went PT and don’t regret it for a second. If management changes, they can’t suddenly force you to leave when you’ve got continuous service. You can reconsider your options at the time - which is exactly what I did after Covid and moved to a job with more pay but longer hours (not teaching so I have flexibility in my working day for school run)

Original poster
standaloneinthecity · 29/10/2024 07:29

We just can’t afford for DH to go part time as he earns more. I obviously wish that wasn’t the case but it is the reality.

He probably could do some. But it’s a reliability thing. Today for instance he is going to Belgium for four days (lucky sod) and so okay it is half term here but if that happened next year he would be able to take DC but not pick him up, and so we do need to have something reliable in place.

OP posts:
CatsandDogs22 · 29/10/2024 07:28

My kids are a bit older (8&10) and I still work short days 3 days a week so I can pick them up. Not because our afters is crap and not because we don’t need the money but because I don’t want to miss out on them growing up. That is a good enough reason, if you can afford to do it.

Working less did slow down my career progression, especially when down to 3 days equivalent or less a week. But it’s picked back up now I am nearly full time again. And it was worth it.

Jk987 · 29/10/2024 07:28

Work less if you can afford it. Don't worry about the what if's. I'm sure you could increase your hours if you wanted to when the children are older and need less supervision.

Your husband should also adjust his hours so he can do some of the drop offs or pick ups.

Didimum · 29/10/2024 07:27

No, I love working and sort wraparound care. Our after school club ends at 5 so not viable for us either.

Tooffless · 29/10/2024 07:26

Do you have a partner in all this? Can he/she do pick ups? What does their work look like if they go part time to accommodate?

Original poster
standaloneinthecity · 29/10/2024 07:24

@Hazeby I’m not asking permission, just more thinking out loud I suppose. The big problem is if work was to change, if say we got a new headteacher and I was managed out, then replicating my work pattern would be difficult /‘impossible. Nine years is a long time.

OP posts:
Hazeby · 29/10/2024 07:22

Sounds like you want people to tell you it’s ok to do this. You don’t need permission - you do what works best for your family.

Newmumatlast · 29/10/2024 07:22

Reduce your hours. You don't need the extra money and they're only little once. You can increase later on again if you want. We have one life and it's pointless running yourself ragged trying to balance it all unless you enjoy it or have to.

StormingNorman · 29/10/2024 07:21

If you can afford to work less, do it. Make life as easy and enjoyable as you can.

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