Primary school teacher

[Nc830]

Careers for single mums / parents - are there any out there?!
DS3 is starting school next year and I’m ready to retrain. At the moment my income is UC and I have a business selling upcycled childrens furniture. I need a full time job as I’m struggling atm and I wasn’t made to run a business. DS is going to pre school next year which is only 15 hours a week in term time due to the funding and also space. I don’t drive anymore as I could no longer afford to.

I’m concerned that when I get a job I’ll have problems during school holidays with childcare. Maybe I could find a childminder but then I’d be paying the majority of my wage for DS to be there , and even then what if he’s ill? It just seems impossible. His school is only 8.45 - 3.15 too!

I want to get into teaching. I like the idea of primary but I’d be working from 7 - 5 then go hem and do marking on evenings / weekends, and I just wonder what about my DS? I can’t drop him off at a childminder at 6.30am to get to work then pick him up at 5.30pm, it’s unfair to him and the childminder. If I did high school teaching it would be the same. At least with this I wouldn’t have to worry as much during school holidays.

and then people say get a work from home job, which would be ridiculous with a 3 year old.

Lots of schools offer breakfast/after school clubs, and I think staff get discounted rates. Good luck with the re-training!

I think you've answered your own question about teaching. You can make it work if it's a career your heart is set on it, but if it's a way to get longer holidays, you'll probably end up resenting having to put your son 2nd to the job.
The training year is incredibly intense and is now followed by a 2-year ECT programme. Your son will need to be in childcare 7 - 6 and there will be work to do once he's gone to bed. It is possible if it's something you really want, just go in with your eyes wide open.
Teaching is fantastic - I've been a primary teacher since the early 90s - but it does take over your whole life, especially in the early years.

There may be an issue with school placements if you don't drive and needing to allow additional time for picking up. However a local childminder may be more flexible and do school runs as required.

This

It’s nothing to do with longer holidays, I just need to consider the practicality of a career with regards to summer holidays. If it was “just a way to get longer holidays” I’d work as admin staff, not spend 5 years training to be a teacher. As for the car, I’m sure I’ll get have a new one by the time placement comes. Just wondered if anyone has any other suggestions of careers I could do?

Not a teacher but worked various school roles for a while. Never seen a teacher come back full time from maternity leave. Those hours are sometimes more like 7 to 7, especially when newer to the job. It is depressing and frankly wrong.

Sorry @Nc830 , I didn't phrase that very well. Childcare in the holidays is incredibly hard to find and fund, though it does get easier when they're at school due to only having before and after school care to pay for.
Could you work towards admin qualifications online this year with a view to doing something like virtual PA work from home? I think you could be more flexible in the holidays then perhaps.

@Missmissmissmiss I am actually doing a level 2 business administration Course online atm, just not sure how to get into it after

What about a T.A ,school office staff or school kitchen staff role? Much less training than a teacher but also much lower wages. However you would be working term time and not doing all the hours at home a teacher does

@Mumlifedc I do have 2 years catering experience and all the relevant certifications (food hygiene) but I don’t want to be stuck doing that forever if that makes sense

You can start a business, declare yourself as self-employed and receive 30 hours

www.gov.uk/30-hours-free-childcare

You’ll need to expect to earn a certain amount over the next 3 months. This is at least the National Minimum Wage or Living Wage for 16 hours a week on average.

This earnings limit does not apply if you’re self-employed and started your business less than 12 months ago.

I wouldn’t go into teaching unless you absolutely love teaching. Go and get some experience in a school-shadow a teacher for a week and see what they do-ask lots of questions.