Secondary teachers and working during the holidays

[wanttobeateacher]

Before anyone bites my head off, I do know that teachers do a lot of work evenings and holidays. I know it's not knock off at 3pm every day and 13 weeks a year off and that term-time, especially as an NQT is going to be hellish. I think it is worth it in the long run for a job I would enjoy that would have things like a pension and some security (neither or which I have no)

I am an LP so childcare (for small but school age kids) is an issue. I would rather work FT and enjoy better career prospects and am under no delusions about the work-levels/politics/being-blamed-for-all-society's-ill aspects of teaching. I have done a lot of training and instructing and have repeatedly been told I have a talent for explaining things and a good way of enthusing trainees. I was going to apply 5 years ago but was talked out of it by (nowX)H

How much time should I factor in for paid childcare over the holidays?Obviously there are planning meetings etc but I have no idea what I am budgeting for. I've asked teacher friends and it seems to vary and I guess depends on your school and HT too.

I'm a secondary teacher. During the summer holiday I get DP to take two weeks off work to look after DS so I can go into school to work.

Each half term and Christmas I go in for one day, and last Easter holiday I was in for two days.

I don't use any childcare over the holidays, nor does DH take time off work so that I can work. I do work, of course, but I do it at home, or I take the children to school with me and they watch a film on my whiteboard while I work.

As the child of a teacher I think that inservice days are more problematic than long holidays. During long holidays mum used to (she's retired now) used to do work at home with only one day back before autumn term.

I agree with cat. Whether you go in or not is voluntary. You will have work to do but can fit it round them e.g. take them to soft play and leave them to run crazy whilst you sit and mark.

Your subject will influence this a lot - what are you?
I have run extra alevel revision sessions in easter holidays before but this is optional and as a worse case you could take your children with you and put them on a computer to play!

I teach secondary and rarely go in during the holidays. When I have done, I took the DCs with me. Any prep I need to do (not much as I only work 2 days) I can fit in during the evenings.

You shouldn't have to pay for holiday childcare. Work you do in the holidays is likely to be at home, or you can take the kids into school with you.

If you are using a childminder for after school care, you will probably have to pay a holiday retainer, and it might be a good idea for you children to go there for a couple of hours at some point just to keep in contact.

Agree with all posts- take children with you- its a schoo! Or do it at home. I take my DS2 who is 8 and Y4 in with me each morning and then he walks to his primary which is close by- I used to pay for Kids club for mornings and after school (he returns to me at the end of school) and I am saving on childcare now. Not all workplaces would allow that!! (Its a 5 minute walk and involves zebra crossings- and the students coming to my secondary school know hikm so quite safe in summer- back to club in winter).
Find a school with a kids club.

Sorry for late acknowledgment. Thanks for all the replies. That sounds encouraging. Now I just have to find the brain I used to have (garage, loft..??), dust if off and see if it still works

I don't go in during the holidays at all. And I don't generally work. And none of my colleagues (in my own dept - English) EVER go in during the holidays. I'm more likely to stay late (or work at home) during term time to get stuff done than give up my holidays.