Returning to work

[Nic05]

So in 6 months I need to return to work. I am also a student I’m starting 3rd year uni. My dilemma is, is working part time going to be worth it? I don’t make much a day just now and wanted to know if anyone else in this position what the done. When looking at nursery prices compared to what I earn I will only clear £10 tops after nursery fees, should I just focus on uni for these 2 years or should I keep working as well?

Have a look for a childminder instead of nursery, they are a fair bit cheaper thats what i did x

Dies your university have a subsidised childcare option? Often you can choose to have them there just while you're on campus but they could maybe help you cover part time work.

I don't think anyone can tell you if working will be worthwhile. It depends on your course and how involved the work is as well as the pt job and how they fit together and if you're happy to pay for childcare to enable you to do those things.

@Nic05 it really depends on your personal circumstances whether you will be financially better off. You should go to Citizens Advice or similar and ask for a 'better off calculation'. They will be able to tell you about any social security entitlements you would have if you decide to return to work and if you decide to focus on University. Some benefits are payable while studying.

From a career point of view or for your own personal development that will be much more subjective. It is sure to be difficult working, studying and parenting but you are in the best position to figure out what works for you and your family.

Saas pay for nursery while I’m in uni but nothing extra, and they have to have registration numbers etc of nursery. And don’t want to use more than the one. I’m studying accounting so there’s a lot of work included and I work with horses so not related

The jump in work and difficulty can be harder than some expect so if I were in your situation I would probably focus on uni and parenting.

Only you can decide. It's not just a financial decision. For me, I felt I needed to go back to work for my sanity and also I felt my boy would benefit from nursery. So I work 3 days a week. I don't earn much money after tax and childcare, but I gain a lot of benefit overall iyswim.

It sounds, though, as though your situation is different to mine. Is there anything you'd miss about your work? E.g. the horses, the social aspect? Just consider all the pros and cons. Ultimately, which decision will make you and your family happiest overall?

@surreygirl1987 I’ll still be attending uni 4 days a week so still with my social group, but it’s definitely something I need to sit and think about

Is there a career advantage to you working (as in, will it be in a role that can go on your CV that is related to the field you want to work in after uni?)? If you are working just to work, no there is probably no advantage, other than your own mental health if you feel better working than not.

I put my eldest in nursery to complete a postgraduate degree and also to work part-time when she was 11 months old. But I was working in a field (lecturing) that ultimately was really beneficial for my CV and in building professional contacts. I just about broke even, so no financial benefit, but I have benefited a lot financially and otherwise from that work experience in the years since (higher salary, more competitive CV). But if you are working in Costa and that has nothing to do with your plans to become an accountant or whatever, then I wouldn't stress about it as long as you can manage financially.