Not sure what to do next.....WWYD??

[DitheringDoofus]

I currently work as a nursery nurse in a pre-school for 2 and a half days per week. I love it but I earn a pittance (barely more than minimum wage) which does annoy me. I had a 7p an hour pay rise last year but my responsibilities have grown three-fold, and I'm now expected to do some work at home too. There isn't much room for progression as my next step would be the foundation degree, which I can't afford to pay for myself (it would cost three quarters of my annual salary), and my employers wont consider paying for me as I'm not full time (no more hours available).

I have spoken to my local uni who have said they would consider me for a place on the Primary Ed with QTS degree starting next year (too late for this year), BUT it is four years of full time study and I'd have a big debt at the end. It seems like such a huge step from what I'm doing now and I'm worried I'd be biting off more than I can chew. I'm also a bit concerned that my teacher friends are quite negative about their jobs, and all the talk about cuts makes me wonder if I'd have a job at the end of it all. I've worked as a TA before and I didn't particularly enjoy it if I'm honest - but I do think that is party because I worked with some very uninspiring teachers and I wasn't given any training myself at all. My next choice is to stay where I am and put up with the wages.

I know it shouldn't be down to money - we manage just fine on what we've got - but I'd love to be in a position to one day take my children on occassional holidays etc. but at the same time I love the fact that I am around so much and can make most of their assemblies/sports days etc. Having said that, my youngest is starting year 6 this year so there aren't many plays/sports days left for me to go to

So what would you do?

1. Stay where you are and enjoy your family/home and make do with the money you have.

2. Train up and increase your earning potential and make a career of it.

Thanks for reading.

Primary/Early Years teacher here...

It sounds that the problem is no so much with your role as with your setting - could you become a NN in a school or other nursery setting? Or could you do something to top up your income, such as starting a company doing babysigning or something else for babies and toddlers?

Teaching - yes, I think you would get a job, but look first at teaching employment rates in your region. Join the TES forums for more insight into where teachers are finding it hard/easy to get a job.

However, I think you have to think long and hard about whether you want everything that the job entails. It can be all-consuming and definitely does involve a heck of a lot of stress, responsibility and working at home!

Thanks for replying Branching Out

I suspect you could be right about my setting. It's great there but I'm very much at the bottom of the pecking order - and that is unlikely to change due to the dynamics of the group. Some things you just can't compete with! Maybe I should try putting my qualifications to use somewhere else and see how I get on.

I lurk on TES but always come away feeling really despondant. I'm also not sure I do want all that the job entials....I wouldn't mind the responsibility or working from home, but I can imagine how all-consuming it could be and that is quite scary! The four years of study is quite daunting too. Maybe I'll just see what TA/NN jobs are around.

Hmmm.....food for thought - thank you.

I think the way ahead for you could be in running something for toddlers/babies.

You do seem a bit despondent and possibly a bit ground down by your situation, whereas you do actually have really valuable skills with young babies and children. Look at what people are prepared to pay for nannies..

What kind of area do you live in? In my area there is a huge market for people willing to pay for groups for toddlers. Often it seems to be fairly simple stuff: singing, stories, puppets etc. As a NN, you could do this with your eyes closed and one puppet behind your back!

Oooo...that does sound quite interesting!

I'm in a reasonably affluent area where there does seem to be a market for children's clubs etc. so I'm going to get my thinking cap on. I've already thought of a venue!

Yes, despondent is exactly what I feel. But I'm starting to feel a bit excited now! Thank you!!

This might be irrelevant but your employer cannot deny you training and development opportunities because you are part time. They can if there's no money or legitimate reason but if they are offering it to full time staff but not you that's not on.

I think it was a case of full time staff getting priority and the pot being empty by the time I was considered. But I will keep that in mind in the future - thank you.

BUT....I have just found out that I might be able to get a bursary to continue with my training. Fingers crossed!

Full time staff can't be given priority under employment law. But good luck with the bursary!

Oh really.....well that's interesting. Hmmm....might have to mention this next time I get turned down for something. Thanks Katie

If you are unsure about teaching, could you see if a local school would let you volunteer to help in class, or shadow teachers on one/ some of your non-working days? It would help you make your mind up and would look good for your application if you decide to go ahead with it as a career. And if you decided it wasn't for you, at least you wouldn't have the student debt etc.

If you are unsure about teaching, could you see if a local school would let you volunteer to help in class, or shadow teachers on one/ some of your non-working days? It would help you make your mind up and would look good for your application if you decide to go ahead with it as a career. And if you decided it wasn't for you, at least you wouldn't have the student debt etc.

Thanks Barbeasty One of my teacher friends has offered to let me shadow her for a couple of days. I might just go but memories from my TA days are putting me off. That's not a good sign!

After a difficult week at work I am thinking of jacking it all in and doing something completely different.