I recently made the decision to leave the KinderCare family, and I want to share my experience in an honest and respectful way. I worked there for about nine months as a Program Specialist—a role designed to support teachers, assist with curriculum development, and spend about 75% of the time in classrooms. However, due to ongoing staffing shortages, I found myself in the classroom nearly 95% of the time, preventing me from fully engaging in my intended responsibilities.
When I approached the director about becoming more involved in my role, I was told, “You already talk to the teachers in there anyway—just discuss how to set up the classroom.” This response made it clear that my position was not being utilized as intended. Instead, I felt more like a substitute teacher than a Program Specialist, which was frustrating and unfulfilling. I was there to contribute in a meaningful way, but instead, I felt used rather than truly valued.
Additionally, I saw firsthand how the company prioritized profit over the well-being of its staff and students. Teacher hours were directly tied to enrollment numbers—when more children were enrolled, teachers received more hours; when enrollment dropped, hours were cut. This led to financial instability for many staff members, as they lost pay due to reduced hours. While many teachers wanted to work, their schedules were significantly reduced, which made it even harder to provide consistent care and support for the children. I understand that companies need to make money, but it should never come at the expense of teachers and staff suffering. A business can be financially successful while also valuing and properly supporting its employees.
On top of that, I felt that the health and well-being of teachers were not taken seriously. Staff were often encouraged to come to work while sick, and those who chose to stay home for their health sometimes felt pressured or made to feel uncomfortable about their decision. In an environment centered around children’s well-being, it’s crucial that teachers are also supported in maintaining their health.
Another major concern was the complete lack of janitorial staff. There were no janitors, so teachers and staff were responsible for all cleaning duties. We had to clean and sanitize classrooms, shared spaces, and common areas—on top of our primary responsibilities of caring for and educating the children. This added unnecessary stress and extra manual labor to an already overwhelming workload, further taking time and energy away from the students.
I was also reprimanded for informing parents of my departure two weeks in advance, as management wanted me to wait until the week of my last day. I believe in professionalism and transparency, and I stand by my decision to communicate openly with families.
In my 20 years of working, this has been one of the most challenging environments I’ve experienced. The absence of formal training for teachers often led to operational inefficiencies, particularly for those who were new to leading a classroom. I sincerely hope that, in the future, KinderCare will prioritize the well-being of both the children and the dedicated staff who work hard every day, rather than placing profits above all else.
I originally posted this review on Yelp, but it was taken down despite being an honest account of my experience. Because of that, I am now sharing my review on Google to ensure that the truth is heard.
