Samantha Foulkes tells us how she combines working part-time and being a full-on mum with studying to become an NCT Antenatal Teacher.
I have two children who are six and eight years old, and I work in the prison service three days a week.
When I was facing redundancy from the prison service, I started looking around for something else. But it was when I was searching for information for a friend who’d just had a baby, that I came across NCT’s website.
I found the information about antenatal courses really interesting so I looked into studying to be an Antenatal Teacher.
I want to work as an NCT Antenatal Teacher and fit this around my part-time work and family commitments.
With a busy family life, I do have to find the right balance. I try to be really strict so I block off the two days a week I’m not working for study only.
I’m also quite good at getting started on my assignments early so I don’t leave them until the last minute and then panic!
It builds on what I’ve already learned and encourages my own insight, knowledge and research.
I find tutorials the most beneficial part, as they point you in the right direction.
I have absolutely no regrets. It’s so rewarding teaching – every time I teach a class, I feel so positive and energised.
Also, you can get help from NCT with fees. I had a bursary for level 4 and got a student loan for level 5, as this is my first degree.
Find out more about training as an practitioner with our Birth and Beyond Foundation Degree.
