Retraining after kids

[Wallaroo21]

I have an 11 month old and currently pregnant again with our second. Before my baby I was a nanny for 8 years and I’m thinking about what I can do next. I’ve considered childminding from our house potentially but also thinking about retraining in something different maybe. Any suggestions of good careers to work from home around childcare? I figured if I started studying something now by the time the kids are starting nursery I’ll be in a good position but I’ve only ever known childcare.

@Wallaroo21 - You need the Mature Study and Retraining board - here:

www.mumsnet.com/talk/mature_students

Countless examples of what people have done or are doing in exactly your situation.

Perfect thanks so much!

(Btw, MNHQ will move your thread if you ask - via the Report button!)

Happy reading.

Childminding would be the obvious as I assume you've got childcare qualifications already.

The only issue could be ratios limiting how many you can take on as a one woman band, and whether that would cover your costs.

What could be better with pre schoolers is offering wrap around and holiday care for older children. The ratios are less and there's always a need for it.

Yeah the downside to childminding is obviously having to make adjustments to the house and we have a dog so could be tricky.

It all depends how much you need to make too. Is it pocket money for nice things or is your salary needed to pay mortgage etc?
childminding is great but I would only recommend it if it’s the top up salary. Depending on where your based and if you take on funded children you tend to get paid by the council 75% of funding termly (25% at the end of term) and then whatever top up you need parents to pay monthly so it can be quite annoying for budgeting purposes! But if you don’t take funding children you’ll likely find children will leave once they hit the term after their third birthday for somewhere that does.

Obviously the extra income would be handy especially with 2 but we can survive on just my husbands salary technically. It’s more so the kids don’t both start school and I’m left with nothing to do.

Then I would say could be a good option for you. If the pressure isn’t on too much you don’t have to work 5 days and you can be selective with the families you choose to care for which makes the job a lot more enjoyable

Have you had any new ideas, @Wallaroo21 ? Are there any possibilities posters might be able to advise on?

Unfortunately I haven’t got much further with this no! Probably want to find some sort of training but still unsure what

Maybe study AAT accountancy? You can do it unit by unit, online or just using books and lots of jobs are hybrid or WFH now.

I don’t think my maths is strong enough for accounting really.

@Wallaroo21 hi I did AAT when my kids were little, one day a week at college, what did you get in your GCSE maths? I only got a B and I'm definitely stronger in essay type subjects but I didn't find the maths that hard.

Was that in person or online? Do you find it a maths heavy role now? I think I got a B or potentially a C it was a while ago now!

What does "maths heavy" mean to you?

AAT has a skills check quiz on its website:

https://www.aat.org.uk/qualifications-and-courses/skillcheck