I dont want to work in childcare anymore!

[Meltinthemiddle]

But what else can I do? It fitted in when my kids were young but money is rubbish, it's stressful and I just don't have that passion. Has anyone worked in childcare and gone on to do something completely different? I'm now 40 so want something I can leave at the door, with good pension schemes. I've been looking at NHS jobs but most require experience 😢

Do you have a degree? Something like working for an education team at a local authority will give you a decent salary increase and probably better hours too.

There are many allied roles which would use your experiences. Have a look at the civil service - there are inspector roles in CIW or Ofsted which may be of interest or even working in early years policy development. The pension in the civil service is very good indeed.

If you have an interest in supporting domestic abuse survivors would you consider a role which works with women and children escaping violence? Many of these use play therapy techniques.

If you don't have a degree would you consider studying for social work, midwifery, OT, speech therapy? All these would look highly on your experience.

You could get an appointment with a careers advisor to give you more ideas.

I work in childcare too and am looking to get ‘off the floor’ as such! I find it just makes me a very grumpy, annoyed person at the end of the day! I’m spending all day correcting behaviour, parents never being satisfied and when I come home I just want silence as I’ve been nattering on all day! And that’s not fair to my family.

I love early years and working with children so much, but not when we’re understaffed and stuffed to the gunwales/gunnels with children - there’s no quality of care. I’m pursuing my degree and hoping to get into the NHS as part of the Health Visiting team or council in future as education development officer. Bide your time!

You could be a healthcare assistant on a maternity ward? Register for alerts on your local NHS jobs website!

You are not alone, I'm stuck working in childcare too and desperate for a change.