To be worried about what term time job I can do?

[GreeneryGrass]

I'm on mat leave with my second, returning to work sometime after Easter. I currently work in education (not a teacher, similar to a teaching assistant but very specialised role for the creative faculties) and I love it. Sadly, it's too far to commute when I don't drive and the near minimum wage means I barely earn anything. Plus, I really need to be closer to home for my eldest at nursery. I don't want to leave my job but it just isn't compatible for my home life sadly.

My question is what can I do? I doubt my specific role will show up in a school nearer to me.
I could train as a TA, my experience would help with that, I'm sure I'd be alright in that job as it's fairly similar to what I do now. But do I have any other alternatives? My only real criteria right now is term time, just whilst my kids are so little. I'd love healthcare but term time hours are hard to come by I've heard (I think there's literally a thread on here about this right now!).

If you work term time (or even work from home), can I please ask what you do? If not, how do you make it work with kids? I have a husband, so it's not all on me. Thank you x

Some councils offer term time positions.

what about art/dt/lab technician in a school?

I work in a school as a student manager. I was a TA, then a Cover supervisor (that’s a tough gig).

For lots of years me and my OH (now ex) would only have one week off work on annual leave together each year for a family holiday.
the rest of the time we had to take annual leave separately to maximise find off in school years.

Funny you say that, I am an art technician! I absolutely love it. Gutted I can't do it forever.

Also huge well done to you for being a cover supervisor, I could not do that job. The horror of it!

I hear you regarding the poor pay. And thank you - it is a really hard job.

I would definitely look at your local council, I know ours does TT only jobs.

Good luck in your search.

I’d actually think of it differently - do something all year, possibly PT, while the kids are little (assuming you can get year-round childcare), then think about TTO when they’re at school and you really value the holidays / childcare options are scarce.

You might be able to find something which would let you go TTO once you’d been there for a while (some civil service roles are like that I think).

Can I ask why you have managed it with your first but not your second?
is learning to drive a possibility and would it make it more doable?

i know someone who started a franchise for the Creation Station in their area, is something that an option?

Our NDN became a TA and I don’t think she had any prior training. She’d taught kids dance classes before but that was it. They’re crying out for them at the minute so really don’t think you’d struggle to find a role like that.

Hi thanks for your ideas - ive never heard of the creation station as we don't have any in our area so I'll definitely look into this!

Of course you can ask - right now we're spending lots on my transport. I either need to do a taxi or bus, local Train then bus (different provider so separate ticket), so it costs me over £10 a day to get there, or about £17 for a taxi one way. Once we pay for the additional hours of childcare fees for our kids, I'm pretty much working for free. If I worked a similar wage job but within walking distance it would be somewhat more manageable. Other issue is my current job whilst I love it doesn't provide any progression sadly. I'll never be able to earn more in this job - ive tried but the trust aren't interested in paying more despite me doing more than the contract.

I'll definitely look into the avenue of hosting groups or classes though, thank you for that idea!

We have a local art studio, set up a few years ago by a disaffected teacher. He runs adult classes and works with a schools during the day, evening classes, holiday clubs and a Sunday evening teen chill out class, heavily attended by kids doing their GCSE coursework! He does classes in pottery, drawing, oils, water colours.. and has visiting local craftspeople- jewellers for example - to do one off classes too.

Why do you have to work term time only?

There is no easy solution to juggling small children and work unless you have a partner with a lot of flexibility and/or involved local grandparents. And harder in rural areas where jobs and childcare are often further apart.
I don't have a magic solution but some thoughts:
If the job overall suits you, can you afford to work for free just to keep your foot in the door until childcare gets cheaper?

Bear in mind if you start a new job and then you are unlucky and the kids are ill a lot you will be on probation and it might be trickier than if you stay in an existing job.

Hope you work something out.

Would learning to drive be an option?
Would you consider training as an art teacher? This will give you a higher salary but much longer hours during term time, however it's your best paid option for TTO and offers progression. I'm a secondary teacher and I love both my job and my holidays

@GreeneryGrass Do you live near a university? If so, you could look at their professional services roles to see if anything catches your eye. They won't be term time only, but the holiday entitlement is likely to be very good, and they're likely to have hybrid working in place, and good flexible working policies. At my uni, we get 27 days leave, plus public holidays, plus another 5-6 'closure days' (when the uni is closed for Xmas and Easter), and you can buy an additional 5 days leave if you want. It makes managing the school holidays easier.

Another thought - if places are competitive for good schools in your area, then look at jobs advertised in your highest preference schools and check their admissions policies for 'children of staff' priority. You may need to work there 2 years to qualify, but you have time on your side and it's an additional perk that might counter a relatively low salary.

I’m term time only, I work in school admin. Lots of admin roles within schools are TTO or TTO plus a few weeks. Other places that might have TTO roles are libraries or places like castles or museums that have a lot of school trip bookings (a historical place local to me has advertised for roles that are TTO for this reason)

Thanks for your response. Do you enjoy school admin? I've looked at a few positions like that so I'm really interested to hear your thoughts. Thanks!

Hi OP, it's not easy trying to find these roles - totally understand your dilemma with not wanting to give up your current role but understand financially it's not sustainable. Near to me, there are sometimes roles for 'imaginators' to run local hartbeeps classes, children's centres advertising for staff to run groups, local charities are often looking for part time flexible staff.

I think I'd apply to anything which looks part time or flexible. I think looking for TTO is going to narrow your options too much!