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Original poster

Anybody work with children and like to tell me about their job that they actually like?

16 replies

philbertstreetfox · 01/02/2011 11:37

Hello

I am currently working in an admin job, which is fine but really not for me.

Would like to work with children in some capacity.

Trained as a nurse (adult branch) but am not currently registered. I am a bit Hmm at the thought of going back to ward nursing - I love the hands-on stuff but not the understaffing, admin and stress! The hours are grim as well, I have a 9mo baby.

So far I have come up with these as possible ideas;

Nursery nurse

Teaching assistant

Possibly do RTP course and try for school nurse jobs (I did have dreams of being a midwife or health visitor once upon a time but my four friends who did HV/MW training found there were no vacancies and had to go back to their old jobs) - have also just posted on another thread about this as I'd love to be a practice nurse!

Do 18 month conversion to paed nursing

Carer for SN (really enjoyed working with SN adults but no experience with children)

I'm looking at a long term plan rather than wanting to change jobs now - I am hoping to have another child so would be ready for full on career stuff in a few years, but am happy to work PT and do further study if I can get the finances to work out. My current job is above minimum wage but below WTC threshold if I were single - money is not a motivating factor though it does need to be worth me going to work ie not more expensive than not!

I'd be really interested to hear from anyone who enjoys their job, whether it's one of these or something totally different :)

OP posts:
aoliver · 01/02/2011 16:38

Me, I run a kids cookery group, I do it part time whilst my kids are little, I ahd a lady who covered my maternity leave and then once the youngest starts school I have a great business to expand. I have licensed it out and have lots of mums in similar positions doing the same. I would really recommend looking at what you'd enjoy and then trying to set up a business/buy into a business around it. The flexibility with kids is great. I earn a good wage and do school runs, ahve holidays etc with them.

Original poster
philbertstreetfox · 02/02/2011 13:14

Thanks! I would never have thought of that - do you do "parties" or do you have premises? I'm not sure about having my own business - I like having sick pay and holiday entitlement and all that jazz, but if I found something I was passionate about I wouldn't rule it out.
I don't think cookery would be my thing though, far too territorial over licking the bowl!

OP posts:
toomanycakes · 02/02/2011 15:40

Hi, I am a paeds trained nurse and work in the community having done additional post grad course to become a community children's nurse. The job is hard work but brilliant! It allows you to be a nurse, with responsibility but have the time to really care for children. It's lovely being out and about, visiting children at home, in school, at respite centres, hospices. Our caseload is mostly long term, chronically ill or complex disabilities.

If you like working with children nursery nurse sounds good, or teaching assistant (special needs schools in my experience are amazing places, very nurturing - somewhere I'd love to work later on), or how about at a local surestart type centre. That way you'd see a mix of families. Other ideas are respite centres, they look after disabled children to give families a break. Or some health visiting teams now have family support workers. In my experience, HVs do a lot less work with families nowadays, they are more management and less hands on.

Sorry this a bit rambly, hope it helps :)

aoliver · 02/02/2011 15:57

Hi, I run classes at home, surestart centres and parties. It does seem a bit daunting starting up, but if you find something you enjoy doing it's worth it!

Tinkerisdead · 02/02/2011 16:12

Aoliver (sorry to hijack op) I'm really keen to start by own biz around children etc to be with my dd. The closest I've found is usbourne books but it's saturated near me. Would you be prepared to tell me more?

nymphadora · 02/02/2011 17:10

I'm a family worker but if you're trying yo avoid stress i don't recommend it.

aoliver · 02/02/2011 21:46

The Doctorswife -I've PM'ed you!

theasaswimming · 04/02/2011 17:05

Hi there,
Have you ever thought about becoming a swimming teacher? Hours can be part-time to fit in with childcare, and once trained you could earn up to £15/hour!

The training itself doesn't have to be costly, there are lots of funding options available. Check out our website page here for some more advice and how to get started!
bit.ly/eKAEmZ

OverflowingMum · 04/02/2011 21:08

what about working with children with mental health needs?
I am a child and adolescent psychiatrist and love my job!
Not sure how it works with nursing...could you convert to mental health nursing for children?
You could then possibly find a community job which more often tends to be 9-5 rather than shift work, so more family firendly.
good luck!

spurs12345 · 05/02/2011 21:46

How about becoming a lunchtime playleader at a local school? This will get you thinking whether you would want to work with children or not.

Changeisagoodthing · 05/02/2011 21:55

Are you a graduate nurse?

If so do a pgce or graduate teacher programme and be ome a teacher. Only way to earn a decent salary- 2-3 times that of a teaching assistant.

Wigeon · 05/02/2011 22:00

My DH is a secondary school teacher (recent career changer) and while he has never been one of those people who would describe themselves as someone who "loves kids" (although he is a very devoted dad to our DD), I think he has been surprised at how much he enjoys working with 11-18 yr olds.

He thinks they are funny, he likes the way that they sometimes behave as mini adults and sometimes just kids, he enjoys talking to them, they are generally just good company and much more fun than many office-job type colleagues! I think he also loves the way that he can introduce a new idea to them and their eyes just light up - the 11 yr olds and the 18 yr olds and all of them inbetween. A far stretch from many people's perception of working with teenagers.

Have a look at www.tda.gov.uk - def covers teachers, probably has links to teaching assistants too.

stressheaderic · 05/02/2011 22:03

I'm a teacher and the children (and the holidays) are the best part about the job. 7 years in, I still like going to work and have never ever clockwatched or wish I didn't have to go in.
The training was intensive but quick and the salary goes up quickly too. Don't rule it out.

MattysMumNBump · 10/02/2011 10:31

Aoliver would you be willing to tell a bit more about what you do and how you set it up? Sorry if Im being really cheeky Im new to this site but I would love to set up childrens cookery classes and it doesnt look like there are any near me. Im a software developer and dont really like my job would much prefer to do something I enjoy and Im a keen cook with 1.5 kids :)

Thanks!!

Emma

(Oh and sorry for butting in).

Theonlyexception · 10/02/2011 10:37

Aoliver,sorry but can you tell me about your cookery classes aswell? I have never thought of this before but I think I would love it! I love working with children and I'm good at cooking! Thanks Grin

aoliver · 11/02/2011 19:47

Hi,

I've PM'ed you details, I don't think I'm allowed to put them on here!

Thanks

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