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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Return to childcare job versus NHS admin

27 replies

Walkies1 · 21/03/2023 16:54

Posting in AIBU for traffic. Be kind please.

I previously worked in childcare but Covid led to closures and redundancy. I was then lucky enough to secure a hybrid admin job in the NHS and for the most part it’s okay. I do get bored sometimes and the office politics gets me down a bit sometimes. I’ve also gained weight from having such a sedentary job. The office days mean a 45 minute commute and to be honest I hate driving.
But it’s stable and pays the bills so I’ve stuck at it.
Now I’ve a bit of a dilemma….a nursery in my area are expanding and the owner has contacted me with a job offer helping with the expansion and then leading the new baby room. It’s 5 minute drive from my house.

Would I be completely mad to return to childcare at my age (49)? Would I be safer staying in the boring admin role with the NHS benefits of sick pay etc?

I am really torn so any thoughts apart from my own would be much appreciated!

OP posts:
Original poster
Walkies1 · 21/03/2023 16:55

Don’t know how the voting ended up on my thread!

OP posts:
Crikeyalmighty · 21/03/2023 16:58

Nope- go for it.

Easternext · 21/03/2023 16:59

Working in a nursery I would say stay with the nhs. Nursery's just can't get staff these days which makes it very difficult for the few staff that are their we have alot of agency staff working in ours at the minute while some are good others are just making up the ratio numbers so we are doing the job off 2 people.

ObamaLlamas · 21/03/2023 16:59

I wouldn't even give it a second thought and go back to childcare. They need good people right now. Is it similar money?

Lily0719 · 21/03/2023 16:59

Go for it, sounds like you would be a lot happier!!

Cornettoninja · 21/03/2023 17:01

Go for the nursery role. If you feel the need to go back to the NHS a previous role on your CV will help you get back in but it sounds like you’d be much happier at the nursery.

Original poster
Walkies1 · 21/03/2023 17:12

More or less the same once I take fuel costs for commute out and wfh costs (electric & heat).
But obviously the NHS role has better benefits

OP posts:
Bluebellbike · 21/03/2023 17:14

Life is too short to work in a job you aren't happy with. I'd make the move back into childcare if I were you.

pjani · 21/03/2023 17:15

Sounds like you’ve got more fire in your belly for childcare. Plus losing the commute will be great. Follow your interest, NHS admin jobs will still be around if you change your mind later.

Seasidemumma77 · 21/03/2023 17:24

I gave up childcare career for NHS admin role, solely for the pension.

Freshstarts22 · 21/03/2023 17:28

Personally I’d stick with the nhs for the benefits. I left childcare too, it’s tough at the moment and pay is bad. I also didn’t still want to be doing such a physical job as I got older.
Can I please ask what was your hybrid role? I’m in tbe nhs now and I never see hybrid roles advertised. I’d love one. I’m band 4.

CakeIsNotAvailable · 21/03/2023 17:34

I wouldn't be rushing to take on such a physical job at your age - I'm sure you're fine now, but you may not feel as energetic in a few years. I would also be very keen to keep paying into the NHS pension scheme.

spacechimp79 · 21/03/2023 17:37

I wouldn’t do it unless you have a decent pension already. The NHS pension is really good. You could look to move to a different NHS role though, maybe somewhere closer if that’s possible.

ItsSuchACryingShame · 21/03/2023 17:37

The NHS pension is a good one so worth keeping, can you move to a different role/office in the NHS?

ItsSuchACryingShame · 21/03/2023 17:37

Ahh X post!

Original poster
Walkies1 · 21/03/2023 18:11

Freshstarts22 · 21/03/2023 17:28

Personally I’d stick with the nhs for the benefits. I left childcare too, it’s tough at the moment and pay is bad. I also didn’t still want to be doing such a physical job as I got older.
Can I please ask what was your hybrid role? I’m in tbe nhs now and I never see hybrid roles advertised. I’d love one. I’m band 4.

It was an office based role but went 100% remote during Covid. Remote working went so well that they only brought everyone back to the office a few months ago … 3 days in the office, 2 days at home. I don’t think the NHS advertises their jobs as wfh but they have policies that mean you have the right to apply for it… you could check out if that would be possible for your role?

OP posts:
Original poster
Walkies1 · 21/03/2023 18:13

Seasidemumma77 · 21/03/2023 17:24

I gave up childcare career for NHS admin role, solely for the pension.

My friend worked in a job she hated just for the NHS pension. She died aged 62 and didn’t see a penny of it. That has stuck in my mind so much.

OP posts:
NurseryNurse10 · 21/03/2023 18:22

The way nurseries are now with all the stress and low pay I would say stick with NHS.

Triflenot · 21/03/2023 18:39

Could you use your skills within the NHS? Sometimes there are nursery nurse posts available.

Feuillemille23 · 21/03/2023 18:58

Also bear in mind that every time you leave the NHS, should you wish to come back in, generally the terms are much less favourable for rejoiners than was the case pre 2019. No more annual increments, for instance.

Violet1988 · 21/03/2023 19:04

Triflenot · 21/03/2023 18:39

Could you use your skills within the NHS? Sometimes there are nursery nurse posts available.

This is a good idea. Look up Children's Health Promotion Advisor roles.

Freshstarts22 · 21/03/2023 20:44

@Walkies1 I’m going to send you a private message.

TheHateIsNotGood · 21/03/2023 20:55

Really understand your dilemma OP - stability, pay, office politics, benefits and boredom vs love for job, headhunted, underpaid, undervalued, experienced and talented.

No advice to give, no skin in the game but a genuinely tough question.

bookish83 · 21/03/2023 21:01

NurseryNurse10 · 21/03/2023 18:22

The way nurseries are now with all the stress and low pay I would say stick with NHS.

I do see this argument but the NHS is not a barrel of laughs right now either! Admin roles are also covering more and more within their role. Yes the pension is good but you have to pay in for longer than a few years to see the benefit.

OP which job makes you feel happier to wake up to? Do you believe in the new manager as a person/boss/ethos?

TakemedowntoPotatoCity · 21/03/2023 21:03

One thing I would be considering is the physicality of the nursery job - bending down to little kids' levels would do my back in now, but if you are still reasonably fit it probably isn't a problem. Other than that, if you love working with babies go for it.