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Original poster

Part time jobs, term time only- Is it working in a school, or nothing?!

32 replies

notthestereotype1 · 04/05/2016 13:07

Hi,

I've been out of work for over 10 years now (am 31) I had my DD at 22 and I decided to be a sahm....but not for this long! Confused

I have confidence issues and my cv is unimpressive to say the least.

My dp earns good money and the money I would earn would be more pocket money, which is fine. Obviously I'd love a big chunky pay packet Grin but am being realistic with my employment gap and probably slightly outdated qualifications.

We do need the extra money, but also it would be good for my self confidence \belief.

Any thoughts on what I could do? My DD has certain difficulties, which is why I would only work term time ideally (that's another, long story)

TIA

OP posts:
ReallyTired · 04/05/2016 13:12

Become an eBay seller.

Sell Avon, Tupperware, etc.

Drop leaflets.

Do you have a hobby that could become a business?

maybe do some voluntary work to give you an up to date reference.

WorriedOrStressed · 04/05/2016 13:15

Voluntary work will boost self-confidence/gain skills for your CV.

If looking for term time only, look at local County Council as often opportunities there (most likely to be admin).

Chchchchangeabout · 04/05/2016 13:17

Do hourly jobs for task rabbit

Chchchchangeabout · 04/05/2016 13:18

Be a post natal doula or sling consultant

MidnightVelvetthe5th · 04/05/2016 13:19

Its not impossible, I started at a new job with my local council last year after being a sahm for 6 years, I did ask them about term time working but they said they point blank do not offer a term time job at all except for in schools. I work 20 hours per week part time & my DC are at a childminder's after school some days & during school holidays. I have one colleague who works term time only but she has been there 10+ years....

I'm not sure that all schools offer term time only, I applied for a few school administrator jobs that were all year round but something like a lunchtime supervisor would be term time. It depends what you want to do really :)

misscph1973 · 04/05/2016 13:20

It depends on your qualifications really. I was a teacher (in another country), but I wasn't very good at it and I didn't like it. And it certainly wasn't family friendly hours, I often got stuck at meetings till after daycare closed. So now I am a freelance translator (obviously I have a degree) and I work during school hours - 8 years now, I love it and it pays well (more than teaching!).

Maybe you can find a similar way to use your qualifications and experience?

BrandNewAndImproved · 04/05/2016 13:21

Have a look on your local council website.

If you don't mind kitchen work you can sign up as a casual (or go for a permanent job) they always need casuals and this will get you a dbs check plus a reference if you want to then go and do something else.

BrandNewAndImproved · 04/05/2016 13:22

The good thing with being a casual for now is that you get rung everyday and asked if you can work, so if you can't because your dc are ill, you're busy ect you don't have to go.

AmysTiara · 04/05/2016 13:32

I'm in the civil service and work 4 short days term time only. Not sure about vacancies at the moment.

Original poster
notthestereotype1 · 04/05/2016 17:50

Some great ideas, thanks Smile

I actually thought about becoming a doula, but haven't heard great things tbh. Although I'm not expecting a massive salary, I'm not sure how happy I would be being on call 24\7 for pennies.

OP posts:
WorriedOrStressed · 04/05/2016 22:39

Being a Doula is unrealistic if you have caring responsibilities.

misscph1973 · 05/05/2016 09:25

Working as a doula is not going to prvide a stable income. I have a friend who works as a doula, and she's essentially a SAHM with a demanding hobby.

Original poster
notthestereotype1 · 05/05/2016 10:18

Yes, I don't think it's realistic.

I was thinking about being a virtual PA, but apparently that has become incredibly competitive recently.

OP posts:
TomTomKitten · 07/05/2016 07:03

I don't really think you can become a virtual PA with zero experience. I've been a PA for years and even I would think twice (in terms of how it would work/what I would charge).

hesterton · 07/05/2016 07:09

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

LetThereBeCupcakes · 07/05/2016 07:10

I'm a project manager in the public sector. A lot of our perks have been cut back but one thing we look set to retain is the family-friendly working hours. I have colleagues who do school hours / term time only. We work on projects that are 2-3 years long, so don't have short deadlines to worry about, which means a lot more flexibility for us. You do have to be careful in planning your workload though!

parrotonmyshoulder · 07/05/2016 07:22

Nanny for a teacher could work. I had one - she took all her holiday in school holidays and did some babysitting/ occasional weekend stuff to make up her hours.

Andrea2301 · 10/05/2016 20:57

With a partner that works 70 hour weeks and no nearby family to help out, I really struggled to find a job when I was ready after having my son. Like you, it's more for pocket money but I also needed to exercise my brain.
After 3 unsuccessful interviews where I couldn't do the hours, I started looking into stay at home options and found that there are so many out there to choose from.
I researched various companies and I've now started working from home. I just do the hours as and when I can, which suits us perfectly.

Chchchchangeabout · 12/05/2016 16:43

I know people who make a good, regular part-time wage as doulas, though they are based in London. Post-natal doulas don't do births just early weeks support and often work during school hours. I'm not a doula myself but have been a client.

mangocoveredlamb · 12/05/2016 16:54

Contact your local council and see if the team that caters from children out of school are recruiting. They are often looking for learning mentors to work with kids who should be at school but aren't.
I know there are also admin roles at our CC term time only in the education teams!

BonerSibary · 13/05/2016 12:26

My friend has a term time only, part time job in a private day nursery. 3 days a week, school hours ish. They have a lot of funded hours only children, hence needing term time only staff. Not sure this would be up your street if you don't want a school job though.

BeYourselfUnlessUCanBeAUnicorn · 05/06/2016 20:15

Andrea2301 what do you do?

GinAndSonic · 06/06/2016 10:28

Lots of councils have school kitchen jobs going becuase of the changes in having to provide free school meals for all the little ones, and I know lots of people don't stick the kitchen jobs (my mum works in a school kitchen and they have staff that have been there forever and then a few roles that are like revolving doors) as some people think they are too good to wash dishes. Term time, during school hours. It's ideal.

ElodieS · 06/06/2016 10:36

My council has quite a few term-time only jobs in education, but not in schools. Often they're things like data entry, processing payments and invoices etc. As many have said, it's worth a look on your local council's jobs site.

Shellym13 · 21/06/2016 11:20

Royal mail post person jobs are generally half 9 till half 2. Check their website for any vacancies Smile

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