A 2 YEAR OLD AND A DEGREE IN PRIMARY EDUCATION? am i biting off more than i can chew?

[KarisTiasMum]

My daughter is 2 and a Half, i am looking to do a foundation course with OU this year to ease myself back into studying (as i have done nothing since school) then i am looking into starting a first degree in Primary Education in sept 2009, either with OU or going to the local uni (Part time if i can). i believe that will be the sept my daughter starts in recpetion class at school so i am hoping to time it with that.
i have recently had an operation and i want to use this recovery time wisely, as my work contract has now run out and i have no intention to renew it!!
so is this possible!? or am i completely mad to take this all on!? i am sure there are plently of mums who are being mums alongside a degree and coping perfectly well, my partner has faith and thinks i should be fine which is nice... i just wanted to try and speak to someone who is already in that situation!
early days yet, but i am really wanting to do this!!

I'm sure you will be fine. I returned to education when DD1 was 3 and DD2 was 1 1/2. I started with an HND in Early Childhood Studies at my local colege(similar to a foundation degree but a qualification that can stand alone). I then went to Uni for 1 year to gain enough top-up credits to make my HND a degree. I am now doing PGCE Primary.
It is hard juggling studying and family life, but if you think about the time (some)students without children spend socialising, drinking etc., you will see that as long as you don't mind a few late nights essay writing, it is perfectly do-able!
Good luck, whatever you decide.

thanks! when i think of the spare time i have in the evenings i guess i shouldnt be too stretched... i also have a fantastic partner who has agreed to help with studies and of course is fab with Karis too which will be a great help. my main worry is the fact i am well out of practice and really hope i dont start something i cant finish! but that is something i wont know until i do it! but that is really why i am going to do the foundation course(s) first. scary! did you go to uni full or part time? as i am told that full time doesnt necessarily mean 5 days per week...
thanks for the quick response!!

I went full time. For the HND, this was 4 days a week, but not full days, except when I had placement, which was full time 9-4 in various childcare settings/schools. Uni was 'full time' too, but I opted for 60 credits in independent studies/dissertations, so for 1 semester I was going in twice a week, but in the last semester I only went in once a week. I did a lot of hours at home, but still had plenty of time for the family.
The PGCE is a different story though, it is really full time, very intense and with a lot to do at home too. But by the time you get to that stage, your DD will be in school (like mine are), so it is possible to do it.

I did my Primary PGCE when ds was in year 2. DH was away in the Gulf for the majority of the year. It WAS manageable, if exhausting. Have your childcare sorted as you will need to be in school for a certain amount of the course and those hours will be from 8am to 4 30pm minimum most days. You will then need to do work in the evenings.

If you are organised and are able to prioritise, it is more than possible.

Good luck, teaching is a fab profession to get into!

it really is early days for me so i am still trying to find the right course, uni etc. i am really baffled as to which qualifications i will need to complete and become a techer.. excluding the foundation courses i want to do as a 'practice' (for want of a better word) could you dumb it down and give me an idea of the route i should take? other than lasting 6 weeks in college in an art course which just wasnt for me, i have done nothing since school so i am really out of touch and not really understanding much about uni and whats required! i am so excited to do this though, its really something i would like to get into and and really willing to put int he hard work.. as long as it isnt at the expense of my family suffering a grumpy mother/partner (more so than usual)ha!

Sorry not to come back sooner, busy busy!
You will have to have GCSE maths, English and science C or above to qualify for a place on a PGCE, but not necessarily before getting a degree place. You could do 1 year access to teaching at a local further education college, followed by either a foundation degree or HND followed by a top-up year, or a degree at uni or with OU, all followed by a PGCE (or GTP) in primary. Or you could do a 4 year Batchelor of Education, and wouldn't need the PGCE. Confused yet?!
I would start by visiting both your local college and local uni and getting their advice, as there are a few ways in. A lot depends on previous education qualifications and experience working with children, but not necessarily in the early stages of studying.
I hope that helps, it probably seems a lot of information, but don't let it put you off! x

My DD is currently 15 months and expecting DD2 in July, also work P/T and world acclaimed housewife P/T. I'm studying with the OU at the mo iin Biological Psychology and Human Biology Level 2's to get me onto Physiotherapy Degree in Sept 2009.

It is a lot of hard work, basically studying a night when kids are in bed and at wk ends (dep on workload) and you have to have an understanding partner who will share housework (and should be doing so already!) and looking after kids at weekends etc.

Obviously you want to study, so I say go for it. It's not easy but I always feel chuffed when I've completed an assignment on time or have read material before the cut off date. OU are supportive and you'll find a lot of mums study with them, so it's nice to talk in their forums to see others are going through what you are and your not the only nutty person out there who is trying to be superwoman! Good luck with it and have faith x