Retraining to work with kids?

[lizzieoak]

I hate my job. I am not cut out for the atmosphere in offices, the nastiness, the pressure "to excel", the boredom.

I don't see how I can afford it, but I've been thinking of retraining to work with kids - either as teacher to tinies (can't recall what UK English is for this, age 3-5), or as an educational assistant for school age kids with learning problems/behavioural issues. I prefer the idea of the former, though the latter pays more where I live.

Pros and cons of the work? Work culture? Stressed and things that make your day at work?

Are you in UK?
Generally, those working with Pre-schoolers are very poorly paid. Usually quite long hours, doing an important job with a lot of responsibilty, for what is usually minimum wage.
You do need to be qualified to do this though - or can get apprenticeships (although I think there are age limits on who can do apprenticeships ??? - not sure though, I might have made that up). Sadly a lot of apprentices are just used as cheap labour though.
You are never going to get rich, but it can be quite a satisfying job.

I'm in canada, but also poorly paid here. Although given I'd be in a lower tax bracket I'm not sure I'd lose a ton - not if I got a union position with a local council preschool or after school care.

There is no age limit here, your gp just has to affirm you're fit.

I would have to train for sure, so it all depends on whether or not the govt would like to pay my course fees and a living allowance while I'm at school. Which is dicey as I've done that once before but turned out to by physically not up to it (can't do repetitive movements all day, child care would be fine in that regard as its mixed movements).