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KinderCare Learning Centers

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KinderCare Learning Centers reviews

2.8

32% would recommend to a friend

(3,905 total reviews)
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Tom Wyatt

35% approve of CEO

26% positive business outlook

KinderCare Learning Centers has an employee rating of 2.8 out of 5 stars, based on 3,905 company reviews on Glassdoor which indicates that most employees have an average working experience there. The KinderCare Learning Centers employee rating is 25% below average for employers within the Educación industry (3.7 stars).

Reviews by job title

4K reviews
1.0
Feb 20, 2014
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

They give you free meals, you eat with the kids. <--- that's it.

Cons

low pay. I made 9.75. which they didnt even want to give me, I had to fight for it. The only reason I applied is because I saw 12 on their ad, but that was a lie, thats what management makes. They do not value their employees. I applied to be lead teacher. I was pitched that I would have my own class, that I would teach 4's. Then once I had quit my other job and came in I found out I was sharing a class and on the application it said 2nd teacher -_- I'd been teaching for years as lead, what do I look like being 2nd teacher?? The way management handles you and talks to you its like you are back in middle school and you literally do have to ask permission to go to the bathroom. And believe me they can tell you no. I was also pitched before I started that they had great benefits and that they pay for you to get your CDA. That too is also a lie. I signed up for benefits. Im single with no kids but it still took 200 out of my check each paycheck. And when i finally needed to go to the hospital for a broken arm my insurance sent me a letter saying that they werent paying for it but they had negotiated a discount lol. I have never been micromanaged more. they will literally stand over your shoulder. I have never felt completely out of control as I did here. I felt like a child. And the uniforms were so bummy and unprofessional looking. And believe me, if you get hired for one position, even if thats what you applied for, they can and will move you somewhere completely different just because. my director on a regular told us they dont do things for the employee because everything's for the children. Speaking of the children, I have never worked at a center which such badly behaved children. they hit ADULTS and children, fight, tell you no, everything, and its allowed. You know why?, its because kindercare does not believe in discipline or punishment. seriously, its written somewhere. they only believe in positive redirection. for example, if i walk in and a child smacks me in the face, that child does not have a consequence, a time out, or anything, i am simply to say to the bad kid, hey little boy, that hurt, why dont you use nice hands like this.. - I am then supposed to take his hand and have him pat my hand gently. 0_0 I promise you Im not making it up lol. I used to go to this job and stare at the clock. time went by so slow. It took the fun out of teaching. my last teaching job we were allowed to make our curriculum, I had my own class, I was able to make up my own projects and decorate my room. but at kindercare none of that is allowed. everything is decided by a printed book that tells you what to do, say and feed the child each and everyday. it even tells you what they are allowed to play with for that day. This job took away my passion for teaching. And I kid you not, every day I pass by that job I thank God. Im now making 17 an hour at a good job, with real benefits and no one micromanages me. I am HOPINGG for the day I bump in to any one of my old directors there so I can tell them how much I make. Like look at me now, you treated me like a child not too long ago and now I make more than you, take that Kindercare My advice to all people looking for a job would be to stay away from this happiness sucker of an occupation. It is a dead end, with little pay and managers who micromanage you to death. If you just need a job like i did at the time, make sure you keep putting in applications so you can break out some day like i did. Also they tell you they pay for the CDA- thats a lie, you only get a little certificate, it doesnt mean youre certified, and its not a degree. dont believe the hype.

2.0
May 10, 2018
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Worked alongside the most caring individuals and professionals at all levels of the company from school locations to Corporate Department Heads. As with all companies- when the right people are there, for the right reasons, the outcome exemplifies quality.

Cons

Somewhere along the way, they forgot that early education is about relationships between children, families, teachers and school management. They stopped listening to top performers and respected long term staff. They drove talent away for lower paid employees to make profit. Silenced voices who spoke up trying to keep company’s integrity. Heartbreaking is the most accurate description.

2.0
Aug 15, 2012
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

PRIOR to the change from education to basic retail, I loved KC! There were: Smiles and hugs daily! The building of relationships with amazing families, earning their trust. Leading and coaching eager teachers. Recognition for outstanding customer care, parent reviews, health and safety, growth, etc. The NEW KC lacks all of those attributes.

Cons

Education is very back-burner, revenue generation is the only goal. NO pay raises for staff or mgmt in 4+ years, yet tuition increased annually. Micro-management over everything! Centers are pressured to reduce labor costs which displaces children btwn classrooms and severely reduces curriculum that parents are paying dearly for. Families are highly pressured to pay extra for tutorial "learning adventures" that in many cases don't get taught due to staff shortages. The topics of the tutorials should be part of the main-stream curriculum as they are with competitive centers. Centers are dirty as cleaning budgets are gone, older buildings are in poor repair while newer buildings get repainted, hardwood flooring, new classroom equipment.

Viewing 4 - 6 of 3,905 Reviews

Glassdoor has 3,957 KinderCare Learning Centers reviews submitted anonymously by KinderCare Learning Centers employees. Read employee reviews and ratings on Glassdoor to decide if KinderCare Learning Centers is right for you.