Retraining in accounts during maternity?

[summerof66]

I’m due in May next year and would like to use the time off as a chance to retrain to start a new career once the baby is old enough for school/nursery. I don’t plan to return to previous role after baby is born.

Ideally I’d love to get a part time entry level job in a role such as payroll/accounts assistant within a finance department. I know it’s not very ambitious but I don’t want the stress of too much responsibility - not until the child is at school and I can focus on my career more. Husband is also able to support with his salary.

The local college has part time courses in bookkeeping and Level 2&3 in AAT. I could potentially do these during maternity one night a week. Is this the right route to go in? Looking at jobs and they all require experience - how do I get this?

Any advice would be so gratefully appreciated.

Your intentions are good OP but maternity leave isn't 'time off'... it's time with your baby! Which is pretty all encompassing, and that's with a healthy delivery, easy baby etc. You'll never get that time with your baby again, I don't think I'd choose to spend it retraining

@HowDoYouSpellThat sorry to be clear, I meant more so that I would have completed some form of course by the time the child goes to school. I don’t plan to return to current job. That gives me like 4 years to get the ball rolling.