Retraining as a teacher with youngish dc. Thoughts please?

[onemorecakeplease]

I currently work as an early years practitioner in a school nursery and I really love it. I was a childminder for two years before this while my dc were young.

I have two dc 4 and 7

The headteacher wants me to consider undertaking the one year degree conversion to primary teaching.

I really love the idea as I've always thought of doing this, but everyone so far has come out with loads of negative experiences. They say it's far too stressful and I will struggle with the job and two young dc.

What I don't want is to qualify and then find I can't cope.

What are your experiences of teaching with young children please? Is it doable?

Thanks in advance

I'm in rural Scotland btw. Small classes and lots of wee schools.

So perhaps that will make things a bit easier.

I am going to spend a few days with the p1-p3 teachers this term and get a flavour for it. (And then quiz them as to how much work they do!)

If you truly love it, you'll be fine.

It's a cracking job, much of the time. The kids are (mostly) a joy.

I'm a single parent and just coming to the end of my secondary pgce (8 weeks to go!!) It's without a doubt the most stressful thing I've ever done, including getting divorced! The workload is immense, it's not just the teaching, it's the preparing, the reflections and form filling you have to do, the assignments... and getting constantly observed and given feedback, reflecting on the feedback etc etc... Typical day, I drop my kids at the childminder at 7.30, pick them up at 6, go home and put them to bed then work all evening.

But... it's doable, and I do enjoy it. I've got a job for September so I'm just counting down the weeks now. What's made it easier for me is a brilliant childminder and support network of school mums who can help with emergency pick ups etc. I'd say get your childcare in place and lower your expectations in terms of cooking and cleaning- my house is an absolute mess!

My children were exactly the same age as yours when I did my PGCE (School direct). I was also a LP.

Was it stressful? Yes. Did I consider quitting? Yes. Was I a great mum whilst doing it? No. But I did it and am now in my 3rd year of teaching. I don't regret. I still love the job (mostly!). It's incredibly hard work and long hours and way more stressful than the previous corporate job I did (and got paid about 4 times more for )

I don't think that after reading these replies and the other threads I have found on here that it's a good time for me to start this.

My dd is only just starting school, my husband works stupid shifts so isn't often around to help at nights either.

I don't want my dc to suffer. Will think again when they are older

the most stressful thing I've ever done, including getting divorced!