AIBU to ask how I leave childcare at 50 with no other experience?

[AldiandLidlNappies]

Childcare isn't what it used to be. I'm not as fit as I used to be and I am not enjoying it. I want to leave childcare but not sure what my next step could be?

Has anyone left childcare and done something else successfully? I particularly resent the low pay for the responsibilities required and I've reached my limit now.

Any advice welcome

What are your qualifications, and what form of childcare do you work in?

How about becoming an assessor at a college?

You might find it helpful to browse experiences on the Mature Study and Retraining board:

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/mature_students

Family support worker?

Community nursery nurse with a HV team?

I feel exactly the same as you and I'm 38. Been in nursery work since I was a teenager. The low pay along with increased responsibility over the years, has me looking elsewhere for work. I hope you find something that suits you and makes you happy, will be watching the thread for inspiration.

How about a play assistant in the NHS? Your experience would be more than enough to qualify and your existing skills and knowledge would be transferable. It would be less physically demanding than childcare. For a start you'd only be dealing with one or two kids at a time.

There would also be opportunities to become a play specialist which would be better paid, and with your background you'd sail through the training.

I know someone who left a childcare job last year and set up a now very successful business looking after cats in their own home while the owners are on holiday.

She works from about 7am to 10am, (goes to their homes to feed the cats, clean any litter trays and make sure they're alive and ok), and then again from 4pm to 6pm (feeds them and makes sure that any cats that don't have a cat flap are in for the night).

She earns more per day now for 5 hours work than she earned in her employed role 38 hours a week.

I don’t blame you for leaving, it’s a thankless job that is woefully paid. Staff are so unappreciated by parents who threaten ‘Ofsted’ at every turn.
When I left teaching I worked in a corner shop , it was bliss.

House keeper/nanny/ dog Walker? I'm self employed and 52 and have quite a few clients,doing all sorts. Cleaning,making beds,running errands. I charge £18 an hour.
Have a look on care.com, which I joined for free and two people contacted me just before Christmas.
I used to work in nursery's and was a childminder for years,then became a cleaner. Now doing more hom help sort of work where I get to choose hours.

Oh hang on that makes it look like she earns more per day than she did per week. Not what I meant.
She earns much more anyway, for working 5 hours a day.

I agree with family support worker type role. Have a look on your local council website to see what is available.

This!
I was a nursery nurse for 30 years, took the plunge for a family support worker job at the council and have never looked back.
I've done masses of training, which has been great for my weary brain and in 2 years I've almost doubled my salary!

Teaching Early Years at a college maybe?

Thanks for replies so far I have a level 3 in childcare and first aid, food hygiene, usual safeguarding training and quals but other than that not much else!

Social work! Not necessarily a social worker but I know plenty of former teachers and childcare staff who became family liaison officers

I work full time in day nursery 3 months - 5 years but it is very, very busy. At maximum cap in all rooms and short staffed.

Thanks for all the replies so far!

Become an apprenticeship assessor for EYP and EYE. You can complete an assessor qual ( CAVA) quite easily or contact a learning provider in your area that offers these apprenticeship quals as they will often train you on the job. There are groups on Facebook that might help you find something

I left childcare age 52 after 13 years. I have been working in a supermarket for the last 6 years, I think the pay was similar for both jobs at the time I changed, its now just about to go up to £12p.h.

Residential children’s practitioner, children’s social care. This is what a friend of mine moved into under exactly the same circumstances.

Nursery nurse role in neonatal unit/ SCBU.

They usually have childcare qualifications and second suggestion of hospital play specialist. They do a great job and are much appreciated.

I also left childcare. I started a dog walking business at 46. I would like to employ others in future (I am at the point where I can't take on anymore dogs myself) Long term, I want to move into training. Dog walking is physically demanding, but I am so pleased I left childcare! I was so over being underpaid and underappreciated!

Same here, except I'm a TA and can't take it any longer. I'm early 40s and have NOTHING left to offer any more, the life is being sucked out of me. But I have zero idea of the way forward.

Wishing you luck OP, as I totally understand why you need to leave.

Two of my friends left childcare/nursery roles
recently.

One joined M&S cafe and one works in a library including reading time for little ones etc. Both are much happier.