Anyone else screwed work wise because of school hours

[Sewsosew]

Previously working somewhere great under contract before lockdown. In process of being made permanent with DC starting secondary (meaning I could do longer hours also, but still term time, not quite full hours).
Current contract ended same time as lockdown.

Now they’ve decided they want someone full time, whole year (I imagine this is to do with recent management buyout).

DC is only back in school 8.30-2pm, no after school activities and has to be off site. Too young to be left for hours, can’t go back to childminder (too old really and she won’t take a child from a different school). Nowhere else to go.
DH is out 7-7pm.

I’m so hacked off. We are fine financially but I like working and I am so friggin bored! I like people and I like the extra cash as holiday money.

I know someone is going to say it’s fine to leave DC, but I’m not comfortable with that just yet, she only recently turned 11.

I feel your pain. Left a high paid job (well career!) To work underpaid in a stressful school job. I absolutely hated it but worked around school life. All well and good until I got ill and they didnt like the fact I have health issues. Being SLT I saw how they would react if someone had a day off for a cold, so me being off for 2 weeks was a nightmare for them. So I quit! I've struggled to find a term time only role since, they are like gold dust!!!

Some of these comments have really made me laugh this morning, this army of local teenagers ready and willing to take on regular babysitting
I think it’s crap that your well made plans that you sorted out in plenty of time have been ruined from 2 angles.
It’s crap that you have to give up a job you enjoy because it’s no longer suiting your families needs. Finally I think it’s crap that the education/childcare system is so geared to families that only have 1 working parent or easy availability of grandparents to help out.
I’m sad that you have been given such silly solutions when you just wanted to moan that your plans haven’t worked out. It’s not women’s faults that the gender pay gap is getting worse!

@HM1984 my story is very similar. I left a FT job and worked for a schools trust that had zero tolerance for sickness (didn’t see why people needed to be off for broken limbs, vomiting staff expected in) and non-teachers were treated and paid like dirt. They also expected a 40-45 hour working week, and for you to turn up in holidays unpaid. I left.
I spent so much money on childcare and other things because i was so pushed for time I felt skint too!

I wouldn't leave my 11 year old for three hours every day either. It might be quite exciting for her initially but that's pretty grim to know it's day after day.
Your job just doesn't sound compatible to your current situation, especially the evening events bit.
I'd look for something more suitable.

I understand you not wanting to leave her everyday and maybe she isn't keen but this is a completely solvable problem. Fwiw I don't agree with the argument that using most or all of your wages is pointless either. Working is fulfilling for you and a good example for DD; you are contributing to society by doing it. I had after school help for my youngest at that age, he was anxious being alone and it was right for us. He got on with homework and are his dinner. I advertised locally but asking around for an older teen would work. As pps have said she could be alone if she wishes and you might find that in the spring or summer there are activities once or twice a week. I really don't have time for the stranger in the house argument it is spurious .

@Sewsosewew its awful isn't it, that these essential roles have rubbish pay and they treat you like dirt whereas with corporate roles you can make good money good work life balance yet there is limited holiday! Also I found my head to have a power ego, he would act like he was running a private school (it was a RI graded school that wasnt reaching pupil numbers because of its reputation), wouldn't even let people sit next to him in meetings and would make unreasonable demands, shout at staff. It was horrible, people knew that and I think the longest serving teacher was 6 months because of the reputation and his behaviour. I felt sorry for the kids with no consistency in staff. I was telling OH the other day I'm so glad I left because he would have done my head in with the changes to school life now!

@HM1984 I can’t stand unfairness. There was an incident where a long term, poorly paid support staff had to quit to go to her sons wedding as they wouldn’t allow the time off (one afternoon!). 3 teachers in one year had days off for weddings. The morale amongst support staff was terrible.

I think OFSTED should rate staff retention, tells you lot.

Anyway I’ve seen a job that’s 15-20 hours, flexible. Whole year but that’s more workable and means I take all the wages home with me!