Should I decline this job?

Question

I was offered a job teaching the M-F afternoon class at my daughter's preschool. One of the benefits of the job is a break on tuition, which I could really use. But since I've accepted the informal offer, a lot of things have changed.

I was initially offered a 50% tuition break on all 3 of my daughters' tuition. But the next week, I was told, "oops...you only get 50% off if you work full-time; you'll only be part-time so you'll get 35% off". I accepted that. Grudgingly. But, whatever. So now, instead of teaching M-F afternoons, they want me to teach all day Tues. and Thurs., both the am and pm classes on those days. But now that would mean that my 2 and 3 year old daughters would have to stay all day and my 4 year old would stay all day on Tues./Thurs. and I'd still have to take her on MWF afternoons. And I'll bet her tuition will go up since she'll be staying for 2 additional sessions per wk.

I think I just answered my own question! But I'd still like some input.

Answer 1

Yeah, it sounds like they are not completely being honest.  I would make sure that if you do take the position that everything is in writing so that they do not change their minds after you are already trapped.  Ask them if you can teach the M-F afternoons because it will be easier on your children and you.  Good luck.

Answer 2

yea...all the changes suck. But really, is it that big of a deal that you would decline the job offer over this? Is there maybe something else that is holding you back and making you not want the job?

Answer 3

ok ok ok ok ok

Answer 4

Sounds like my job...also at a preschool. Once I agree to something, they change it.  They've done it so many times and I try to be accommodating out of the kindness of my heart, but you really have to put your foot down and say " you said this" and so on. Otherwise it will set the tone for your whole time there. I would delcine the job if I were you.

Answer 5

I FEEL THERE ARE SOME INCONSISTANTCIES THERE. WHEN AN EMPLOYER ASKS YOU TO WORK A SCHEDULED TIME AND YOU PLAN YOUR FAMILY TIME  AROUND IT, THAT IS FINE. BUT WHEN THEY ARE CHANGING THEIR MINDS IT THROWS YOUR PLANNING OFF. NOW WITH THE TUITION, IF YOU ARE JUST MAKING ENOUGH TO COVER THAT, IS IT REALLY WORTH THE TROUBLE. I BELIEVE IN GETTING MY KIDS THE BEST EDUCATION BUT NOT AT THE XPENSE OF ME JUMPING THROUGH TOO MANY HOOPS.

Answer 6

I'm concerned about the quality of this facility.  It seems that some of these policies should have been written in a staff handbook before you were hired.  It also seems that staff schedules should have been in place before you were hired.  Did you get a job description? And if these things aren't already made into policies, what else is "flexible" about this facility?  I'm wondering how stable their finances are, how important staff development is to the program, if they have an emergency plan in place - the list goes on and on.  Amber already mentioned the fact that it's March and they're hiring teaching staff.  Hmmm.....I have no opinion on whether or not you should take the job.  But if you take it, it seems you should be prepared for anything to come your way.

Answer 7

sounds like you're being taking advantage of - don't let them do that to you!

Answer 8

You need to aske them if there will be another break in the tution  since you will be working more and if you will have to pay the for the extra time for your daughters. This should be a starting point for negtations. Because when you are asked to take a job like this you must be flexable and so should your employer.

Answer 9

Yeah things changed too much. Just tell them that the changes they gave you doesn't work for your schedule.

Answer 10

From all the years that I have worked in preschools there are always so many changes I often wonder why I continue. I did not have children at the preschool at the time but many of the teachers did. They all got some sort of tuition discount but I never knew what exactly. Each school was different and each year I would hear from the others it was changed. It would really come to a point when it would be told that one teacher would get free tuition and others did not. Not a good practice and it was taken care of. I guess to get to the point finally. You have to decide if this job is something your really want to do and find out exactly what you will be paid and what discounts you will get. This will tell you the financial aspect. Next decide if this will be healthy for your children and yourself. Will it cause too much extra stress etc.? I am still never sure which class I will teach next year and if I will have a co-teacher or an assistant teacher. We are given an offer in April but I have only gotten the class promised once in my six years teaching there. Good luck with your decision and I do say I have worked mainly in Christian schools and we still get the shaft and bouncing around. My greatest reason for staying in this career is the progress and growth that I see in the children.

Answer 11

I used to work at a daycare. That job is a  CAKEWALK, and I'm male (and straight by the way).  A few of my co-workers were mothers. These ladies complained incessantly about how they were getting the shaft from our boss. My opinion, this issue is solved pretty easily. If after all the bills are worked out, you are earning enough money to benefit your family. Lower your head and grunt it out. If your employer asks you to work longer. They must understand, they just asked to pay your children's tuition for that period. As for the children... they will always be happy just knowing you dedicated your life to making their lives as close to heaven as you could get them.

Answer 12

Things really changed fast. You know the answer.

Answer 13

I would look at all the factors involved. If you save money despite the 35% off and if it would open to a full time job, it might be a good move.

Other things I would consider:

Does it work well with your time schedule?

Is it close to your home? Do you have to commute?

Did you feel strange about being offered a full time job with 50% off and then told that you would only work part time with only 35% off?

Is the pay good? Some teachers make more subbing instead of teaching. It depends on what kind of degree you have, certification, and if it is a long term sub job. You might want to consider being a substitute teacher. Substituting at schools usually leads to full time jobs.

Good Luck

Answer 14

Honestly why go to work if you're only going to be paying for your daughter's tuition. I know of a lot of preschools that do that to employees. They like to talk all kind of smack. Why don't you open your own daycare and take their business.

Answer 15

hmmm..does sound a bit interesting.  I think you have already made your decision with the job offer...but something else to consider is that with as many children as you have in the programs... will you be teaching in their classrooms?  This makes it very difficult on most everyone.  My other thought regarding this job offer is this is March and why do they not have a consistent teaching staff already in place?  A quality program strives to keep the same teachers with the same groups of children every day of the week throughout the year.  This tends to be more difficult in Centers for some reason...sadly there tends to be a larger turnover rate amongst the staff.  Sounds like they have 4 different preschool classes!  MWF AM and PM and TTh AM and PM.  That is quite a few different children to be keeping track of their development and assessing!  Kudos to whoever has that job!  Good luck in your decision making!