Term time or part time!!

littlechezza

Need some advice, I currently work part time and have the chance of a full time post which is term time only, this post would also save us money on childcare and I would be earning more, I would still collect children from school but at a later time, is this worth it for having all the hols off with them, my heads all over the place and would appreciate advice from anybody in a similar situation.
Thanks

Savvy_Sue

Would you enjoy having all the hols with them? Would you actually save any money, or would what you save on holiday childcare disappear on going out and other activities? Would you enjoy the new job? Those are (some of) the questions.

jog

Hi Littlechezza,

I work term time, 4 days a week. I have to say it that it is great to have the school holidays off with the children, we are all able to relax in the holidays together and enjoy having the time together, I would hate to have to work during the holidays now. For us during term time we have a good routine and I am lucky as we have a good after school club the children can go to when needed.
I guess the down side of this arrangement is that you don't get time to yourself as you are at work when the children are at school. What do you do on the days the children are at school and you're not working? I know some people who really need to have some 'me' time away from their children, and enjoy having a bit of time to themselves when the children are at school.

Maybe you need to write out a list of the pro's and con's for each type of working arrangement.

Jog

Spendless

what age are the children? a mum at school has done this and says one of the disadvantages is she can't have any term-time off, not just for herself but for things like sports day, xmas plays. She works mon-fri. If you're doing less days or can re-arrange hours that may not be a problem.

There's no childcare where I live for yr7 onwards, which can create problems for those who don't wish to leave their 11 or 12 year olds alone for hours in the hols, so I know a couple who've gone to term-time working when their eldest has been approaching secondary school age.

Savvy_Sue

Spendless wrote: »

what age are the children? a mum at school has done this and says one of the disadvantages is she can't have any term-time off, not just for herself but for things like sports day, xmas plays. She works mon-fri. If you're doing less days or can re-arrange hours that may not be a problem.

VERY good point. I'd have been gutted if I couldn't ever have re-arranged work to be there, tears in my eyes ...

squashy

Slightly similar, I gave up a full time post with flexitime and a civil service pension to work in a school. I took a bit of a pay cut to do so. But it was the best decision ever!

I am lucky that the post is in my kids school so I can always nip to watch an assembly in lieu of my lunch break etc

The post I have is very demanding, in the school office. That is something I could have never prepared for and my old job seems like a walk in the park compared to the busyness where I am now. But that makes the holidays oh-so rewarding!

vonnyh

Hi, I work 4 days a week, term time only, and it's the best thing I've done. I was paying for after school clubs before hand which meant a large chunk of my salary was going on childcare. I still have an annual leave allowance as well which means I can go to sports days, help on school trips etc. It definitely works for us!

littlechezza

Thanks for all those answers, I can see where you are all coming from, the school plays etc., is the worrying part, my youngest is in nursery at the moment and my oldest is in 4th year, my thought was that I could do the full time term time and as they get older and I would want to be at home when they are to old for after school club I would then look at part time term time (if that makes sense) I know there will always be pro's and con's with these situations, I guess really what with jobs they way they are are at the moment I should maybe shut up complaining and be grateful I have a job!! I will keep you all posted as to my decision and how it goes.

3onitsway

Hiya - like vonnyh I work term time, and still accrue annual leave as normal so sports days etc aren't a problem.

I'm also only part time, 5 days 9.30 to 3pm so it fits in with school.

Its perfect for me as my eldest DS 11 has severe learning difficulties so summer playschemes and holiday clubs don't exist for him:mad: . So i either work term time - or don't work at all.

I do find that at the end of the 6 weeks summer holidays i'm looking forward to going back to work for a break - but that feeling soon wears off!!

I'm currently on Mat leave, and intend to go back to work (why?) - now my problem is finding a nursery for baby, that will offer a term time place for her! The few i've phoned - want paying all year round to keep her place!

Savvy_Sue

3onitsway wrote: »

Hiya - like vonnyh I work term time, and still accrue annual leave as normal so sports days etc aren't a problem.

yes, but in some settings you are not able to take paid leave during term time: all your holidays are to be taken during school holidays.

squashy

Savvy_Sue wrote: »

yes, but in some settings you are not able to take paid leave during term time: all your holidays are to be taken during school holidays.

Yes, our school is like that. We effectively get paid an extra 3 weeks or whatever it is but take our hols when the teachers do.