Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Home ed

Find advice from other parents on our Homeschool forum. You may also find our round up of the best online learning resources useful.

Flip

Original poster

Anyone manage to work part time and still home educate?

21 replies

chocolatestar · 12/08/2010 18:31

I am a teacher and I am currently full time but I am pregnant and my plan is that once the baby is born I can apply for part time hours. My son is 2.5 at the moment but I am hoping I will be able to home school him.

Most teachers I have spoken to seem to think that going down to two days is going to be difficult and that the school will not be keen and that I have a better chance of getting three days. This feels like a lot though if I am going to home school. It is possible my DH will do some days but he is studying at the moment so no idea what he will be doing in a few years time. If he is self employed then he can but if he does get a job then obviously that won't work.

I feel a bit stressed about it all, I feel like I need to make a decision quickly but I don't know what is going to happen in the future. I can't afford to stop altogether and also I don't want to, I find a little bit of work keeps me sane although I am looking forward to it not being a full week for sure.

Just wondered what other people have done.

OP posts:

fabsoopergroovy · 12/08/2010 19:16

Wow - I don't home educate but am amazed with you being a teacher an'all, that you want to home educate!

Is there something we all should know ?

Original poster

chocolatestar · 12/08/2010 19:26

The more time I spend in schools the less of a good idea I think they are. Too many times I see decisions being made because of money or management and not because of the best interest of the pupils. There is also something about schools that turns children off learning and I find the whole thing quite depressing. I also spend a huge amount of time just dealing with behaviour management which with all the cuts in learning support is only going to get worse.

No idea if I will manage to home educate but I would like to try.

OP posts:

SDeuchars · 12/08/2010 19:30

Loads of teachers make the same decision (and often for similar reasons). Some people become supply teachers to be able to HE as well.

I've worked part-time and from home throughout HEing (from birth to 18 and 16) but not in the education industry.

Original poster

chocolatestar · 12/08/2010 20:04

What did you do with your children on the days you had to work?

OP posts:

itsstillgood · 12/08/2010 20:08

I work part time (although from home). I know plenty of teachers who home ed, some of given up totally, others work from home as private tutors (maybe an option?), others work part time in school.
Beauty of home ed is seeing that education is not confined to the hours of 9-3 but happens any and everywhere. It is also a lot more efficient so you will find even if you adopt a totally structured approach a few hours a day when they are young is more than enough to surpass the 'teaching time' they have in schools.
If you are working 3 days a week you are still home for 4 and all the time in holidays (which of course in home ed you are not confined by). If you ask on one of the national yahoo lists or your local group it is likely someone can point you towards a childminder who is happy to have home educated children if you need one.

Original poster

chocolatestar · 12/08/2010 22:11

Thanks, that has given me hope that if I have to take three days then it isn't the end of my hope to home ed. Childcare is such a stress. I am lucky just now as my aunt takes DS which doesn't feel so bad but I hate the idea of my kids being in nursary all day long when they are so young and then when they are school age it will be even more complicated. It's so hard to get the balance right.

OP posts:

ommmward · 13/08/2010 11:55

I'd definitely consider supply teaching in your shoes. Or private tuition. If you can offer Maths and/or English, there is plenty of money out there to be earned. and of course the time when you'd be able to tutor school children might well coincide with the times when your OH would be home from work.

Original poster

chocolatestar · 13/08/2010 16:21

I teach drama so not much call for that on supply or in private tuition. I would need to know that I had regular money coming in so the only way to do that is to have a contract, also supply is hellish - have done it before!

My job is really near my house which is lucky so if they can let me go part time that will be good.

OP posts:

MrsWobbleTheWaitress · 13/08/2010 16:25

Family or friends who could help out? Set up your own drama club business to earn enough money but that your DS could come along to?

Fabs - my mums' a primary school teacher, and my uncle is a secondary school teacher - both think we're making the best decision home educating!

Yamba · 13/08/2010 16:58

Hi Chocolatestar,
Would your local primary be up for flexi-schooling? Would you do this? Might be a compromise.

Saracen · 15/08/2010 00:53

I worked part-time from home for a couple of years, sending my daughter to two different childminders each week. Both CMs were home educating too, so she could play with kids her own age.

She loved the variety of going to different houses throughout the week, and I liked getting a break from her - she was a very sociable, talkative child and I enjoyed a bit of silence for a change!

Depending on your income, tax credits may cover a large proportion of the childcare costs. Of course, it still isn't going to be as cheap as the free childcare provided by a state school. Then again, school isn't the type of childcare I'd choose for my children! Can you imagine any other childcare provider being allowed to have such a poor ratio of adults to children, and so little space and opportunity for them to play?

Original poster

chocolatestar · 16/08/2010 06:56

I know! Hadn't thought about home schooling childminders. I guess I am worrying too early because I have no idea how the school will respond to my request.

Don't know much about flexi schooling either actually, but I am not keen to send him to school at all to start with. Four/Five is just too young for me. Might be an option when he is older though.

OP posts:

becaroo · 16/08/2010 10:22

Hello chocolatestar

I have HE my eldest ds1 since Jan this year. I find it really intersting that, as a teacher, you think HE is the better option...that has certainly been my sons experience!

I am starting a part time job soon (end sept) but its only 10.5 hours per week and I - like you - have family that have always provided childcare for me when needed.

I am anxious in one way, as I have not worked since having ds1 7 years ago, on the other hand I feel I
a) need the money!
b) need the break from the dc! and
c) its only 10.5 hours

I am not sure if it will work out - will see.

Can you look into supply work? How about asking the LA if you can do a set number of classes per week in different schools? My aunt is a drama teacher but does travelling storytelling in local schools very successfully.

Best of luck. HE rocks!

Original poster

chocolatestar · 16/08/2010 16:19

I won't get supply as a drama teacher so I would have to do general and I would rather stick pins in my eyes than do that! It woudln't be regular enough anyway. People at work today seem to think they have to give me part time if I want it so hopefully I can get what I need. Also I found out I can request it for two years and then reassess so that will help too.

It sounds like work will do you good becaroo, I know I would want to work a little bit. Being home all the time would drive me nuts.

OP posts:

nappyaddict · 16/08/2010 16:24

How do I find out about home schooling child minders?

cyteen · 16/08/2010 16:28

A friend of mine is home educating her three boys; she's also a former school teacher and a qualified aerobics instructor, so is self-employed with tutoring and lots of different exercise-related stuff. It works really well for her, although I don't know the ins and out of how they manage everything. Her DH works full time and they don't have much family support, but lots of friends and fellow home edders I think.

minimathsmouse · 17/08/2010 00:39

Hi Chocolatestar,

I work part time, I run a business in the education sector. I run after school maths clubs and I home educate sons aged 9 and nearly 6. Both were in school until recently.

Its working well at the moment because the schools I work in are happy for me to take DC in with me. It gives them the opportunity to work with other children too.

Strange as it may seem, I never missed my sons when they were in school. 12 weeks on I wonder why I spend so much time with other children when I prefer spending my time with my own. I always felt I was cut out to work, but home educating is so similar to my work except the faces change!

I feel I can make a greater difference with my own children and that helping them is more rewarding.

Original poster

chocolatestar · 17/08/2010 07:30

I know exactly what you mean! Before I started working full time I was horrified by the idea then after a while I didn't feel so bad about it. I got used to not seeing DS. Now that we have just had the holidays and I have been with him for seven weeks going back is hellish. I don't want to spend my time investing in other kids, I want to invest in him.

I would like to start my own thing up actually. The dilemma I always have is I believe that the arts should be accessable but if I am to do something and be able to pay for the space and then pay for me then I have to charge.

I was really pleased to find out about the two year thing. It gives me flexibility so if I do go to two days or three days and it isnt working I can go up or down. Or if DH can't work or whatever and I need to go back full time I can after two years.

OP posts:

Tinuviel · 22/08/2010 22:47

I work 2 days as a teacher and home ed the rest of the time!! I was supposed to go down to 3 days after I had DS2 (it was a bit complicated as I had to do some full-time first). Anyway, I verbally resigned explaining that I couldn't manage 3 days and they came back and offered me 2 days on a permanent contract. There is another teacher who works 3 days a week so in a sense we job share (although both share classes with other teachers).

So I would say that it is worth asking about 2 days as you currently do full-time, and they will probably find it easier to get someone for the other 3 days, rather than for 2 (3 days being quite popular).

Hope that helps.

nappyaddict · 23/08/2010 20:43

Who has your DC on the 2 days that you work? Is it just childcare or do they do some home-ed work with them too.

Tinuviel · 24/08/2010 02:30

DH works 'compressed hours' (5 days work in 4 days) so is at home one day and we have someone come and in look after them on the other day. She is great - supervises them while they finish the week's work and does sewing/cooking with them.

Flip