Teachers - have you reduced your hours?

[ofasphodel]

Have any fellow teachers with little ones in nursery dropped from full time to 3 days? Trying to figure out if it's worth it financially to work full time when paying through the nose for a nursery place.

To be honest, I'm dreading going back as I don't think the job is massively compatible with family life! Little one is currently 3 and a bit months and I'd rather be spending the time with her if we can manage the drop in income.

I agree full time teaching often isn't compatible with family life, and part time is much more realistic and sustainable

I dropped to three days with my first. I was fairly high up the scale. I think I came out with about 1400 a month after tax etc. I was entitled to universal tax credits though do that topped it up. After my second I left teaching completely as it’s really not that child/ parent friendly.

I went back to work as a full time head of department when each of my DC were 7months and have stayed that way for 11 years now. It has tough moments for sure, but it’s totally doable. I had a childminder rather than nursery. Cheaper, more flexible and more personal so such great support. I would rather work full time and get full time pay. Everyone I know who is part time still works on their days off, but aren’t getting paid!

Oh and I can’t think how having all the holidays to spend with your DC and not worry about childcare during the holidays, incompatible with family life! Most days i am home by 4.30, which lost jobs aren’t. I work when they are in bed.

• lots of jobs aren’t

@mnahmnah the thing I found impossible when mine were at primary was that I could never attend a single event at their school because I was teaching f/t. I took on a job share to allow me the flexibility of time to go and watch shows, attend sports events and help out on trips.

I went to 0.6 but never got full days off - so would often do 4 days each week. The 2 week timetable meant it wasn't always the same days! So we used a childminder as she would do part days eg. 7.45-2pm or 9.30-5pm and wouldn't charge the full day like nursery would. We also only paid half in the school hols but didn't really use her.

I'm noticing now that my pension has taken a hit - people talk about the amazing teaching pension but at the end of the day if you only earn £21k it's never going to be a huge pension.

I dropped to 0.7 so the equivalent of 3.5 days...I taught nursery at the time so did 5 mornings until 1:00pm (we offered lunch so it was longer than just the usual morning sessions). I did one long day on a Monday which was staff meeting day so stayed until 5 then.

It was lovely having the afternoons but I used to be in for 7am to set up as I left shortly after dismissing the children!

@HedwigIsMyDemon

I think what is key, is the school you are in and the headteacher. I have been to every sports day and Christmas performance.

I initially worked 4 days in a leadership role when my dc were small but after doing that for 9 months or so with 2 under 3, I dropped to 3 days and ‘just’ a class teacher.

It kept me in teaching quite honestly. I was so ready to give it all up. DH is also a teacher and - though the holidays together are amazing - the late hours of full time just weren’t compatible with family life in term time.

Now my dc are older (upper primary), I’m back in an SLT role (deputy), full time and thriving. But it was absolutely worth being part time and taking a step back when they were tiny.

I dropped to three days after a year away for maternity leave. I had been working very long hours and a minimum of six days a week. I relinquished my TLR and “just” teach a class three days a week. Life is so much better that I have never gone back to 5 days or taken any additional responsibility. I suspect I might have to once my son gets himself to school, but as I won’t be able to retire until I’m about 100, I enjoy doing things in the hours I have to myself. Even if it’s just housework or schoolwork to free up the weekend. The money is the downside though.