wise words needed....
my background is in language teaching (Higher Ed and overseas), since dcs came along I have done bits and bobs of teaching/tutoring, worked for NCT, volunteered in school and been a childminder for 3 years. I was supposed to be starting a part time PGCE (lower primary) in January but the college has cancelled the course. Also I'm not sure I will ever have time for a full time teaching post, DS1 (9) has ASD and DS2 (7) is being assessed for autistic tendencies so childcare is difficult, and we have no family able to help on a regular basis.
I applied for a Learning Mentor job in my children's school and didn't get it (which wasn't a surprise as my experience isn't the best fit) but they have offered me a temporary contract. It would be 4 days a week maternity cover in Foundation stage (appalling Level One TA pay) and 1 day taking KS2 French alongside the class teachers. Better pay for that day (HLTA level) but still not great considering I would effectively be setting up the whole scheme of work and doing all the planning, actual teaching, assessment etc with the class teacher there mainly as crowd control.
DD is only 20 months and would have to go to childminder 4 days a week, DH would reduce his hours and have her 1 day a week. I think at the end of the month we would have effectively the same money left as we would with just DH working.
I should take the job shouldn't I? On the basis that (a) I would enjoy it and (b) it would be a foot in the door for more permanent posts in school which would resolve the childcare dilemma long term.
I haven't had a proper job outside the home for 8 years and I spent most of last night alternating between lesson planning in my head and feeling really sad about my baby having to go to childminder (have lovely childminder available and having done childminding myself I know she will be absolutely fine but I was always at home for the other two).