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Original poster

Disappointed in my career or shall I say lack of

13 replies

Brightbluebaloo8 · 04/10/2019 20:23

Hate my job. Work in a nursery and have done for nearly four years. I enjoy the children, however I spend most of my time doing paperwork now which is stressful as we have to do it whilst supervising the children at the same time. Pay is awful and I have to work around 50hrs per week just to earn a decent wage after tax, NI and pension deductions. Holidays are equally just as terrible, I think I’m able to choose maybe 2.5 weeks myself after bank holidays and Christmas.

I’ve wanted to leave for a long time but I’m really struggling to find a decent job. I’ve worked in child care since I was 18 (now 27) so all of my experience and qualifications are child care related which are no good in other fields of work. I was a nanny a few years ago but after a bad experience with a family (not being paid on time etc) it really put me off working in that particular field. I’ve decided now I really want to leave child care altogether and move into something new.

Although I don’t mind what job I go into, I really don’t want to end up in the same position working in a role that I hate. At least I know what I’m doing in my current role. It also doesn’t help that a lot of jobs that are advertised are 16hrs per week on minimum wage

I’ve also noticed that most of these jobs are asking for people who already have the experience which again makes things difficult. There are a few courses in my local college which I was interested in but as I need to earn a full time wage in order to pay my rent and bills it’s just not possible. It really is a catch 22.

As I’m on my own money is tight so I can’t even enjoy my weekends off as I never have any spare disposable income to go out and do things with friends and family. My mum tries to help me as much as she can but she has her own bills and mortgage to pay.

It’s getting to the point now where the whole situation is making me depressed. I can’t help but feel like a failure and I honestly dread the fact that I’ll probably be stuck working in a nursery for the rest of my life. I get up every morning feeling so shit and down. I honestly don’t know where to go from here as there is no help from the council/government so I can better myself and retrain in another field.

I just can’t see a way out.
Sorry I just think I needed to get that all of my chest.

OP posts:
Nicola1892 · 05/10/2019 06:15

What industry would you like to work in? I gave up my retail career for my family. It’s very hard as I know I would of by now been in a very good job on a lot of money but I’m not. I left for a office job and then got made redundant and had no idea what I was going to do with my life. Now I work in our local care home and it’s a great job, shit pay but it’s worth it. My work will pay for all my NVQs and nurse degree after if I want to do it. Care is a great industry for progression and you can normally pick your hours to suit you.
If sad that you even need experience to be a cleaner these days.
I feel your pain and hope you find something soon! Don’t say in a job you don’t like xx

Marinetta · 05/10/2019 19:33

I have no idea what kind of admin and paperwork goes on behind the scenes but have you thought about being a teacher at the mother and baby classes, something like baby sensory or music classes for babies and toddlers etc. I don't know much about it but an aquaintance recently started doing it and she loves it. There is training for it but it seemed to be flexible and she managed to fit it around her day to day life. It may be a way of you continuing to work with children but leave behind the things you don't enjoy about the nursey. It may be worth looking in to it if you say you e joy working with children and are looking for something where you can use your experience and qualifications.

BubblesBuddy · 05/10/2019 19:46

A lovely nursery nurse that was the key worker for DD years ago at her nursery went on to work for Social Services in a Family Centre. There she was part of a team that gave support and advice to parents who were known to SS and needed special help. The work was better paid and less hours. She enjoyed it but it was frustrating! People with chaotic lives don’t always follow advice!

Is it possible to train as a social worker on the job? Not sure but you could investigate.

Therefore could you see what might be available in Social Services or Education settings?

Or could you look at looking after a family in the morning before school and then in the evenings? Would this stack up financially? No paperwork!

goodwinter · 05/10/2019 20:58

Can you look at temp agencies and ask for long contracts? Your admin skills may be transferable and it gets you experience.

Fours6 · 06/10/2019 06:40

There is always work available in schools as T. A or LSA or admin jobs in schools. Also loads of work in hospitals look on nhs online. Children centres, your local council, but equally there are apprenticeships out there that pay well. Colleges or uni jobs. You are very young still don't give up xx

kookieboo · 06/10/2019 16:33

Have you considered becoming a childcare assessor for people doing apprenticeship training. Or teaching on a chidcare/early years course at an FE college? Some places may be prepared to employ you and support you to gain the necessary teaching/assessing qualifications. Might be worth getting in contact with some local colleges to ask?

Connelly · 11/10/2021 14:27

I know this is an old thread but I can relate a lot. Would love to know if you managed to change your career?

zonkyzonky · 12/10/2021 18:05

@Fours6

There is always work available in schools as T. A or LSA or admin jobs in schools. Also loads of work in hospitals look on nhs online. Children centres, your local council, but equally there are apprenticeships out there that pay well. Colleges or uni jobs. You are very young still don't give up xx
TA jobs are very poorly paid, so no progression/respect.

If you haven't done a degree before, have you thought about a professional degree such as teaching/nursing/social work?

Thru will provide you with a respectable qualification and a career with salary increases.

zonkyzonky · 12/10/2021 18:06

*They not thru...

Aggy35 · 12/10/2021 18:07

As someone who is in touch with people living abroad I can say I am gladly staying here

Dillydollydingdong · 12/10/2021 18:11

You could do open university if you can't afford to leave work altogether.

Peardear · 12/10/2021 21:13

I’ve been qualified for 4 years and also looking to get out. I’m studying my degree ironically to get out of nursery. Check your local nhs jobs website. You could work on maternity wards or as a perinatal mental health community nursery nurse with nhs.

MoreStuffingMatron · 12/10/2021 22:06

What about retraining for teaching or social work OP? There are some paid training opportunities. Educational psychologist is another possibility but the training is somewhat long.

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