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Original poster

Working school hrs - opinions

32 replies

RHCCHR94 · 22/04/2025 15:52

Hi Everyone

My youngest is due to start primary in Sept and I’m considering the working pattern of 9:15-2:45 x4 pw - letting me do each school run and have a day each week for me/to sort out our lives! Financially it would be approx £1850ish per month take home for these hrs. My question is, for the sanity it would give and allow me to be that fully present parent on all school runs, is the financial loss worth it? For context I couldn’t do full time around kids (husband is FT) so I’ve always done some form of part time. Thanks x

OP posts:
Sofiewoo · 22/04/2025 15:53

No one can tell you whether the financial loss is worth it.
You need to look at your own finances, your outgoings, your lifestyle, yours needs, your wants, your goals and then make a decision on balance.

Original poster
RHCCHR94 · 22/04/2025 15:57

Sofiewoo · 22/04/2025 15:53

No one can tell you whether the financial loss is worth it.
You need to look at your own finances, your outgoings, your lifestyle, yours needs, your wants, your goals and then make a decision on balance.

I’d love my FT wage but with 2 kids, just not doable or doable in a sense we’d be miserable and burnt out! I earn approx the same now doing 3 days just slightly dif hrs and id say we’re comfortable, everything paid, we save, holidays etc. guess I just get in my head about not earning or contributing enough!

OP posts:
LadyDanburysHat · 22/04/2025 15:59

Would it not be worth using a breakfast club so you could start earlier and get a bit more pay. I say breakfast rather than after school, as breakfast clubs are usually cheaper.

ButterfliesnWaterfalls · 22/04/2025 15:59

I would love that wage for those hours!

Original poster
RHCCHR94 · 22/04/2025 16:04

LadyDanburysHat · 22/04/2025 15:59

Would it not be worth using a breakfast club so you could start earlier and get a bit more pay. I say breakfast rather than after school, as breakfast clubs are usually cheaper.

I did think this about breakfast clubs but with my youngest starting reception it wasn’t something I wanted to introduce straight away if you know what I mean x

OP posts:
Totot · 22/04/2025 16:05

I think only you can answer that. I personally wouldn’t want to reduce my salary to that, but you might be better at being frugal than me!

I would agree with the poster above and do breakfast club. You’re not missing out on any quality time in the morning trying to get ready, make breakfast, wait for them to finish breakfast, etc. So much easier to leave that for school (and the hunger will encourage them to be quick getting out of the house), and they get to chat to their friends.

Sofiewoo · 22/04/2025 16:07

RHCCHR94 · 22/04/2025 15:57

I’d love my FT wage but with 2 kids, just not doable or doable in a sense we’d be miserable and burnt out! I earn approx the same now doing 3 days just slightly dif hrs and id say we’re comfortable, everything paid, we save, holidays etc. guess I just get in my head about not earning or contributing enough!

Show quote history

If you’re moving your houses to be spread out over 4 days instead of 3 but asking if it’s worth it financially on the same income then I’m not really sure what you’re asking. Your income isn’t changing so it’s not a financial question.

Dearover · 22/04/2025 16:07

Are you in the sort of role where you could be given something/ anything to do 5 minutes before you are due to leave? That would be stressful, but if you can walk out the door at the same time each day, those hours could work.

Motherhubbardscupboard · 22/04/2025 16:07

I did very similar hours and it was brilliant. Adding any kind of childcare adds stress. Definitely have the fifth day as non working to allow you to do all the admin and housework you want to do as well have a bit of a breather.

thisismyusernamedontyouknow · 22/04/2025 16:10

How will you manage childcare for school holidays? That’s something to consider

EffortlesslyDecluttering · 22/04/2025 16:10

I did it for about 5 years in my DCs primary school years, for us it was OK financially but everyone's circumstances are different. I did find that I was constantly clock-watching in the afternoons and got a bit resentful of DH being able to stay at work as late as was needed without any need to consider childcare and it then ended up falling to me to organise all the holiday care as well because I was the one focussed on working round DCs. It was good overall though and I reverted back to full days no problem when they were older.

Original poster
RHCCHR94 · 22/04/2025 16:13

Sofiewoo · 22/04/2025 16:07

If you’re moving your houses to be spread out over 4 days instead of 3 but asking if it’s worth it financially on the same income then I’m not really sure what you’re asking. Your income isn’t changing so it’s not a financial question.

Show quote history

I’ve definitely not explained that well, originally I thought when I had both at school I’d go for 4 full days which would be a nice increase, but logistically make life harder!

OP posts:
Original poster
RHCCHR94 · 22/04/2025 16:13

We’re fortunate to get a lot of leave, plus I could utilise some unpaid parental if need be. We have family help in the holidays too

OP posts:
hauntedvagina · 22/04/2025 16:15

These are great hours. I swapped mine to similar and it’s worked brilliantly, especially now the children are older. Being able to be present for homework, reading, etc… has been invaluable for me. Would you be able to compress your hours during the holidays to limit the need for childcare / holiday clubs?

Original poster
RHCCHR94 · 22/04/2025 16:18

hauntedvagina · 22/04/2025 16:15

These are great hours. I swapped mine to similar and it’s worked brilliantly, especially now the children are older. Being able to be present for homework, reading, etc… has been invaluable for me. Would you be able to compress your hours during the holidays to limit the need for childcare / holiday clubs?

That’s a great idea around compressing hours for school holidays! Definitely worth it for the big holidays x

OP posts:
slamdunk66 · 22/04/2025 16:19

I would do it in a heartbeat if I were you. I have and am lucky to work in and in demand profession so I work 3 days per week (school hours) term time only. I then pick up locum work throughout the year to supplement income. If you can afford it then the reduction in stress wins for me.

Sportacus17 · 22/04/2025 16:20

It worlds very well for my family. We can just about afford it!

Frowningprovidence · 22/04/2025 16:21

I have done a few different working patterns including this one.

The pros were no childcare which is a saving and it's nice to spend more time with children.

Cons were that, especially in winter, filling the slot from afterschool to tea was not all joy. I was tired from work, they were tired from school and it dragged a bit.

agingforgold · 22/04/2025 16:23

My DC2 starts school next September and I’m considering this too OP. I’ll also be on less money than you. I really look forward to having less childcare to think about/schedule/pay on a monthly basis, more time with my kids when they’re young (it seems to be flying by), the kids can spend more time chilling at home as opposed to running around like headless chickens at after school club and then getting home frazzled.
holidays I plan to work the 24 hours over 3 days to free up a day.
For me (who works in accounts) work isn’t the most exciting so I feel this balance is perfect, yet still gives me a balance and a working life, pension contributions etc.

Original poster
RHCCHR94 · 22/04/2025 16:26

agingforgold · 22/04/2025 16:23

My DC2 starts school next September and I’m considering this too OP. I’ll also be on less money than you. I really look forward to having less childcare to think about/schedule/pay on a monthly basis, more time with my kids when they’re young (it seems to be flying by), the kids can spend more time chilling at home as opposed to running around like headless chickens at after school club and then getting home frazzled.
holidays I plan to work the 24 hours over 3 days to free up a day.
For me (who works in accounts) work isn’t the most exciting so I feel this balance is perfect, yet still gives me a balance and a working life, pension contributions etc.

You’re so right, time absolutely flies. It’s such a good idea about condensing hours into longer days in the school holidays, I’ve had never thought of this but definitely something I’m going to look at! I’m trying to go with the mantra of I can always earn more when they’re older and time is precious now, but I get so in my own head! X

OP posts:
CorneliaCupp · 22/04/2025 16:27

I do very similar hours and it works brilliantly for us. I love it!

MuggleMe · 22/04/2025 16:33

I did similar and only now the youngest is in y3 have I upped to 30 hours which requires breakfast club a few days.

PicaK · 22/04/2025 16:42

There is something special about being there. But trust me you get fed up of it after a few years. And it always rains at pick up time. I don't think you'd regret it. But the minute you get fed up and it becomes a chore then move onto the next stage.

User5274959 · 22/04/2025 16:43

Is it from home or is there a commute?
I found it quite stressful having to leave bang on time every day in order to not be late for pickup, whereas with after school club or a childminder there's normally a range to pick up in (as long as you're not after the cut off time).

SuperSange · 22/04/2025 16:48

Edited as I completely misunderstood your post. ; apologies

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