Term time, self employed and WTC....possible?

[Deleted User]

Or maybe another option would be to not work the half terms and work fortnightly on Easter/Summer/Christmas holidays, therefore taking 6 weeks off a year. Wouldn't be term time, but a possible solution to make childcare cover a bit easier?

I'm just running ideas around, I want to work, need to work, but also want to be there for my children in the holidays where possible.

Spendless

My 22yo neice is just qualified to be a teacher and starts a f-time position in September. I can see she would be most interested in a cleaner/someone ironing during term-time as in the hols she's likely to be partying/on hol/visiting and not too bothered. Whether you would be able to be find enough people like neice to make the business viable I've no idea. You'd also have to research your market as to what hols people are more likely to want (or not want help in). Why does it need to be 'full-on' in term time and restricted in school hols though? Isn't a balance so you work enough to do school runs, attend sports days, can re-jig things in case of child ill or school closed due to strikes/snow/training/boiler breakdown etc and work and also spend some of the school hols with your children possible? You could increase your business to doing more hours as the children become older.

[Deleted User]

Yes spendless, those considerations had crossed my mind, its finding sustainable childcare so I can work in the school holidays. I wouldn't earn enough to put two children into childcare for nearly 4-5 days a week. They might not be in the care for that amount of time but as some cleaning sessions are in the middle of the day, they'd be taking up the space of two sessions.

I'm thinking my second option might be more viable - the 6 week one?

poet123

I work in education and only employ an ironing lady/cleaner term time. I do it because I am really busy then. During the holidays I prefer to do it myself, although I can understand why that might not be the norm.

Op if you target schools and colleges those would be the best place to find people who want term time only. Tbh, I feel guilty not doing my own in the holidays!!

[Deleted User]

Thanks Poet, I have already emailed all the local schools in my area asking if they have an external notice board which I could put a poster on. No replies as yet though, a little disappointing. I might follow that up in September though. Would love to put a notice in every staff room, but I know that isn't feasible, would be a more direct approach though.

I have also laminated a poster and stuck one in my rear window of the car, so when parked around locally potential customers might see it.

I have also left flyers at baby groups, thought new mums might do with a hand from one off cleans etc.

I'm only 3 weeks into this, so from what i've already achieved, I'm pleased with myself.

poet123

Deleted_User wrote: »

Thanks Poet, I have already emailed all the local schools in my area asking if they have an external notice board which I could put a poster on. No replies as yet though, a little disappointing. I might follow that up in September though. Would love to put a notice in every staff room, but I know that isn't feasible, would be a more direct approach though.

I have also laminated a poster and stuck one in my rear window of the car, so when parked around locally potential customers might see it.

I have also left flyers at baby groups, thought new mums might do with a hand from one off cleans etc.

I'm only 3 weeks into this, so from what i've already achieved, I'm pleased with myself.

Most colleges do have notice boards dotted around, if you pop into the Reception area and ask I am sure someone would stick it up for you. Ditto schools, the personal approach often work best.

Spendless

Deleted_User wrote: »

Yes spendless, those considerations had crossed my mind, its finding sustainable childcare so I can work in the school holidays. I wouldn't earn enough to put two children into childcare for nearly 4-5 days a week. They might not be in the care for that amount of time but as some cleaning sessions are in the middle of the day, they'd be taking up the space of two sessions.

I'm thinking my second option might be more viable - the 6 week one?

You realise you'd probably get help with childcare via the tax credit system? You might have to budget (and put away) what you earn at other times of the year to pay for the larger bills in holiday time.

[Deleted User]

Yes I think i'd receive some help via WTC, but its something I wish to avoid as much as possible. If I can fit my hours around school times during the term, and with a bit of juggling in the holidays, i'm hoping to do without. Which is why I'm hoping to build up the ironing side as that can also be done at home.

I guess I feel that its a situation i would prefer to avoid. The children have already had one parent go and I'd prefer to care for them as much as possible outside school hours rather than childcare. The reason for going self employed was to try to fit my hours around the children esp in the holidays.

Some may disagree with that school of thought, but i had my children because I wanted to raise them. I used to do evening work so I could still be there in the day for them, but of course that had to change so i'm just seeing what else I can do instead.

Jobseeeker

good luck with your business, other mums may also want to hire you term time only. Try advertising on gumtree

Not sure about the answer to your original WTC question but it will probably change anyway when UC comes in and you have to earn min wage

letthemeatcake

If it helps I'd consider a person to iron in term time only. I like my children to look clean and smart for school but in the holidays it doesn't matter so much if their clothes are ironed or not.