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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Lunchtime assistant should I go for it

24 replies

Plushieaddict · 02/07/2025 06:07

Long story short I’ve been a housewife for 12 years , did work before that in customer service roles etc.

I’m now ready to go back to work and can work term times 9-3 however I’ve had no luck with these times so applied for lunchtime assistant ( dinner lady ) at a school ( not my kids school ) I do not drive and it’s 30 min walk away . I have a interview offer

should I go for it to try and get back into work , a lot of cons though . Only 1.5 hours a day bang in the middle of the day , then id need to walk back. Im not doing it for the money as my partner works full time im doing it to try and get back into work in the hope I could train for TA role etc .
Ive applied at a care home which is more hours and 3 days a week 9-3pm but they said no jobs going at the moment but may do in September so will keep me on file .

This lunchtime job would start in September so unsure if to go for it or hold out for the care job which would suit better for hours and location ( it’s right near my kids school )
should I go for the interview or cancel ( I don’t think many applied so I’m pretty sure they would offer it ) or hold out for a vacancy at the care place which does seem to come up every 6 months or so

Any advice appreciated

OP posts:
Agix · 02/07/2025 06:11

Either take the lunch lady job or find a different one. Don't hold out for the care job, it may never materialise.

Geranium1984 · 02/07/2025 06:17

I'd go for the interview then see how you feel. Even if just for more practice at interviews if youve been out of the loop for a while. You don't have to take the job x

whynotmereally · 02/07/2025 06:17

I’d go for the lunchtime role if money is not an issue. If you enjoy it, it could potentially lead to TA hours on top.

I did it for a while and enjoyed it but discovered the classroom was not for me. I now work in a library.

Perimama · 02/07/2025 06:21

I would go for the interview and see how you feel after. It is also good practice to interview if you have been out of the workforce for a few years.

BCSurvivor · 02/07/2025 06:21

A 30 minute walk each way sounds lovely in the summer, but how will you feel in the autumn/winter on those days where the wind is howling and it's raining all day?

rightoguvnor · 02/07/2025 07:08

I’ve always found it easier to get a job when I’ve got a job, iycwim, especially when returning to the workplace after a long break. I’d see how I felt when the lunchtime assistant job offer was actually on the table. The walking time is inconvenient but costs you nothing but time - if it involved bus fare etc then it wouldn’t be worth it. PP are correct, often the lunchtime assistant job leads to offers of more hours within the school.

BogRollBOGOF · 02/07/2025 07:11

Go for it. It gets your CV back in action.
The 2x30 min walk is your exercise covered for free.

You'll have time in the day to apply for other jobs as they come up.

JonSnowedUnder · 02/07/2025 07:31

I know a few people who have moved into a TA role from starting as a lunchtime assistant, if that's what your goal is. Even if it doesn't help directly as the school you work at it will give you valuable experience and a current reference.

I walk everywhere anyway so 30 mins doesn't sound too bad to me.

dottymac · 02/07/2025 07:49

Go for it! It's a great first step back into work and when you have a foot inside the door, they can see what you can do and get to know you, - more opportunities will come your way. This is exactly the route I took a few years ago after being sahm for 8 years. Now been at the school several years and enjoying the role I do now. Good luck!

crossstitchingnana · 02/07/2025 07:50

I was a dinner lady, I quite enjoyed it, but I live next door to the school so no commute. I did move to a TA role from this, same school.

mummyto9angels · 02/07/2025 07:51

I couldn't imagine anything worse tbh and I say that as a primary school teacher. Being out on the yard in the middle of winter is horrible. But... it also very much depends on where the school is etc as to what the behaviour would be like etc. Personally if you don't need the money I would approach a couple of really nice local schools about doing some work experience with them. Tell them you are wanting to train as a TA and take it from there. You could do a couple of weeks to start off with and then 2 mornings axweeknor something. That will give you a really good idea of pros and cons etc. Seeing just thee lunchtime side to it is very different to the classroom. You could even start now!

Original poster
Plushieaddict · 02/07/2025 14:27

Thanks I’m going to think about it and I’m still looking but can’t see any other jobs available term time only

OP posts:
LadyLindaT · 02/07/2025 14:40

There is a theory that it is easier to get a job when you already have a job. It's only an interview, not a life-time commitment. It would look better on your CV to be in work, and, has been mentioned, it would give you an up to date reference for the future. There might also be a very good reason why the care home vacancy comes up every 6 months or so. Good luck with whatever you decide.

WorcsEdu · 02/07/2025 14:50

Do lunchtime role interview for 1) interview practice 2) a potential networking opportunity for a TA role.

Aworldofmyown · 02/07/2025 14:55

I'm a Midday Assistant, I really enjoy it. I'm hoping it will lead onto other things.

Original poster
Plushieaddict · 05/07/2025 12:09

Thanks I’m going to go for it and hope it leads to more hours

OP posts:
diterictur · 05/07/2025 12:14

A 30 min walk is fine. I do more than that on my daily commute and I enjoy it. Mumsnet is weirdly obsessed with driving everywhere though so I am sure you'll get people telling you it's far too far. Yes sometimes it rains but less often than you think and you can get good rain gear/umbrellas

Do you have to limit yourself to term time/9-3 tho? Can't you use childcare? Opens up a lot more options

Michele09 · 05/07/2025 12:14

I would apply for it over the caring job as the experience is more relevant to keep applying for ta jobs. You will also find out if you enjoy working in a school with children. Could you do after school/holiday child minding as a top up to your income catering for working parents or is there plenty of local provision with clubs?

allmycats · 05/07/2025 12:38

I know a woman who is a classroom assistant who started out as a ‘dinner lady’.
It can help being in the right place as it will give you active experience of being with young children. Good luck 😉

neverbeenskiing · 05/07/2025 13:08

If you want to get a TA role you will need experience either working or volunteering with children. Being a Midday Supervisor is a good way to get a foot in the door. A couple of our TA's started the same way. One of them volunteered to stay and read with children after her shift and that was good experience for her too.

Baddaybigcloud · 05/07/2025 13:11

Go for it and get a bike - will only take 10 mins each way

zingally · 05/07/2025 13:46

Lots of TAs start out as dinner ladies. It's a good "foot in the door" for mums who want to get back into work gradually.

PreetyinPurple · 05/07/2025 13:49

I worked in secondary HR and lunchtime staff would sometimes take on other jobs or add on more jobs to fill their day. Much easier when staff are already employed.

U53rn8m3ch8ng3 · 05/07/2025 13:51

Go for the interview and go from there. You might not get the job so don't get ahead of yourself. Get a bike for when you don't want to walk if you do get the job. Good luck.

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