Any NCT Antenatal Teachers who wouldn’t mind telling me what the training/job is like?

[blondie87]

Hi there,

I’ve recently left teaching and am looking for a very PT job alongside family commitments. I’ve been interested in training with the NCT for a while now but the timing wasn’t right. I have a deferred place for September at which point I will have a 6 month baby. It’s quite a big financial commitment so I want to make sure it’s the right choice for me. If anyone has trained with the NCT, I’d be really grateful if you could answer a few questions.

1. Did you find the course intellectually stimulating? I love studying and really miss the intellectual challenge since I’ve left teaching.
2. How much work do you get?
3. If you have older children/teenagers, have you felt your interest in the subject matter wane or do you find it still an interesting thing to be involved with?
4. I’m fully aware that it is more like a paid hobby than a salaried job, but is there scope to increase earning potential?
5. What additional role did you train in and why?

Many thanks if you answer these!

presumably they spend most of the time telling you that anything except a natural birth is evil, obstetricians are the devil and we should all breastfeed til our child leaves school? Most of my friends bonded with their NCT mates over laughing at the teacher's weird ideas.

I trained as an NCT practitioner 13 years ago. I love the work and it fits well with my NHS job as well.

1. Did you find the course intellectually stimulating? I love studying and really miss the intellectual challenge since I’ve left teaching. Yes, and the learning is ongoing as we are expected to be up to date with current research.
2. How much work do you get? Lots, but I do work a lot of weekends.
3. If you have older children/teenagers, have you felt your interest in the subject matter wane or do you find it still an interesting thing to be involved with? No, I love meeting new groups and as I said before the learning never stops.
4. I’m fully aware that it is more like a paid hobby than a salaried job, but is there scope to increase earning potential? I earn approx £10,000 pa, this is topped up with my nhs salary.
5. What additional role did you train in and why? I work in maternity services and I find this helps to keep me well informed and in the reality of birth.

I have huge respect for my NHS colleagues and I very much take the realistic approach to labour, birth and beyond.

Thanks so much @NCTNCT. I really appreciate you taking the time to respond. I too am in the ‘realistic’ approach to birth and beyond and that was reflected by my experience of taking an NCT antenatal class.

The training is going to be changing in 2021, to make it more affordable I believe, so I suggest that you do your research when applying.

Yes it said that the model of teacher training would be changing in the future but there hasn’t been any more information available. Maybe I should hang fire and wait and see what the new training entails. Do you have any info on this? Again, I really appreciate that you have taken the time to answer my questions

@blondie87

As far as I am aware it is still in the planning. However I understand that they are trying to take into account applicants previous experience / training. Also the course will be shorter, but with more facilitation practice.

Ah that sounds like it might suit me better as I was a teacher for 9 years. Many thanks @NCTNCT.