assistant teacher

lead teacher

child care teacher

group leader

childcare provider

Excel Learning Center

When I first started I absolutely loved the job! The kiddos were amazing and the Teachers were nice, I saw myself able to further progress in my teaching career with 5 years of experience. On my second day however, the assistant teacher in my 1-2s class quit, which started a trend as 8 teachers would leave in my 7 months of being there. The high turn over rate meant double the work, for the same rate of pay. The staffing shortage made  thorough training more than difficult and as a new hire, you learned more as you go but would be corrected as if you had prior knowledge and training. Combining class rooms to fit teacher/student ratios was not uncommon but definitely made more work trying to teach, mind the children's behavior and remain on shedule with a class of various ages and stages of learning. Because of the shortage, the director would work along side us in the class rooms which was great, until her role of director became a balancing act. There was never clear communication on the day to day, a few of the lead teachers would micro manage and talk down to you, especially if you weren't as experienced as them and/or if you don't have kids of your own.

The lead teacher I worked under in the 1-2s class for most of my time there was older and was unable to do a lot of the physical work which left me to carry my work load and her's. I could literally be handling one thing that I saw as important and needs to be done ASAP but if the lead felt as though another task is more important, I'm directed to immediately stop what I'm doing to help, start or assume the lead teacher's task while being critiqued for not doing my tasks and the lead's in a timely manner. 

At that time I was in school in another field of study in family support, infant education, and newborn care. It was nearly impossible to attend clinical engagements as needed so I missed a lot of class work, in addition to that I had doctor's appointments I also missed or would take an hour in the vacant class room for tela health appointments. The center's module of productivity vs standard of care is problematic, especially in the infant room were ratio is one teacher per 4 infants and 95% of the time, there was only one teacher in the infant's room. 

We were expected to train and keep the babies on the center's schedule, majority of the infants were breastfed and breastfed babies are clingy by default and the center's practices were not conducive for the style of care the infants were used to receiving which only made it harder on baby and even mom. There were never really brainstorming conversations of how to make each infant's time there mirioring of home life, which would help mom and center greatly if baby was on one shedule and care type. 

The room could have deem lighting for naps but then that wasn't allowed but was (depending on the day and mood of management) it was fine for the baby to nap outside of designated nap time, until it wasn't. if you're tending to one baby and the other(s) start crying, you're expected to finish tending to the first baby even though the other little ones need you and are disturbing the baby(s) that are sleeping. When you radioed for help the response time can be 5-15+ minutes, with help arriving like it was an inconvenience.

When I did try to communicate my grievances with the owner of the center and my direct management, I received reenteration on the duties and schedule expected to be maintained, redirected to continue doing what I was doing and to have the receptionist turned assistant teacher help out more. 

The center is great where it's great but the lacking in many areas stifles the success of teachers and the wellbeing of students becomes secondary. 

Work-life balance
They  over work their employees,  they are always short staff and expect you to stay past your time without even asking you! I worked here for 7+ years and their is absolutely no place for advancement unless you're a kiss up and when they do advance you they stick you with lazy teachers who do not want to hold up their end of the job in the classroom! Want a decent job, stay FAR AWAY FROM THIS PLACE

Pay & benefits
you only get benefits after you've been there for a year! I started a new job after being fired for calling state on neglect of a child there and found a job that I absolutely LOVE and my benefits started after 90 days.

Job security and advancement
Unless you're a good negotiator, they will start you at 7 25-8.00 an hour. Which this is a high stress related job so definitely not worth it

Management
The directors pick favorites and then lie on you to make themselves look better! I promise you will regret it if you work here

Culture
You have no creative ability to express in your classrooms! They will not let you hang up art work and they do not encourage creativity like they promote

Overall
This place is absolutely horrible to work for, they will over work you because they are always short staff. They play favorites so that means you will not get the things you need unless you go to the store and spend your own money! I worked here in my early 20s so its an OK job for teenagers and younger adults but as far as making it a career, absolutely no benefits except for 5 days of vacation time after you've been there a year and you'll get some paid holidays but still not worth the stress they will put you through.

This work places has a negative energy attached to it. The assistant director can be nice but the management other wise turned out to be very disappointing. My kids got sick and instead of being understanding I was made to feel worthless because I couldn’t come in. They changed my work schedule on me without enough noticed. When I explained that my kids had fevers and weren’t doing good they acted like it was fine but then two days later are calling me asking if I’ll still be in at 9 even though I told them I would not be available for the rest of the week. My kids also attended there and I would never allow my child to step food back in that center. They don’t tell you the truth when your child gets hurt or how it happens. Unless you plan on working your life away for them and let nothing else matter this place is not it. I was printed from a floater to a lead teacher without a raise. When I asked about a raise I was told not until I see your transcripts. I was certified through the state as a EEC and took a college course for them. They only care about certain staff and if they don’t like you they will end up trying to push you out. I’ve never seen such a high turn over rate for company in my life.  

Bad management all around this company, with the exception of a couple. There’s been many times where administrators would gossip about teachers to other teachers. Most of the directors are snobby and talk down to you. The turn over rate for teachers is astronomical because of poor leadership and lack of advancement opportunities. 

They don’t care about quality of materials or the cleanliness of anything until it’s time for inspection. You get no support or help for with anything and you’re expected to just handle it on your own. Don’t bother contacting HR..because they don’t care either. 

This was the worst company I’ve been to work for. The only thing good about it was some of the friendships you make with fellow teachers..you bond because it’s basically you all supporting each other through a toxic work environment. 

What is the best part of working at the company?
The children and teaching them of course 

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
Cattiness between the coworkers and them always gossiping and not being so professional and always in someone’s business.

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
Always drama, unprofessional, and liars

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
So much favoritism from the directors to certain individuals and if your not the ones on their favoritism radar you really suffer tremendously in terms of not getting the materials you need, being sent home early or having to close because one of the favorites needs to go home early or them cheating you for your overtime hours

 The more it spreads the more they hide it from their employees. Siblings of children who have been exposed continue to attend. Management becomes rude and disrespectful when questioned about anything. The look of this job is far more appealing than actually working there. They don't care about the health and well-being of the children unless they have a personal relationship with the child. They lie on incident reports, gossip about employees, take advantage of their employees and they have yet to hire anyone to professionally clean this building even after the numerous positive cases of covid.

The only reason I left was because I had to move. I would’ve loved to stay exactly where I was. 
You will deal with a few behavioral children, but overall the children are the reason everyone comes to work. They are the best part of the job. 
I have been to other locations, and I would choose this location from the others locally. 
Literally all the downsides of this job stem from a corporate level. 
The company itself has lost the plot: taking care of children. 
This location though? The best. This company should be thankful for each and every employee that continues to clock in and do their best. 

Excel was a good place to work at for that time period.  The owner allowed my children to attend summer camp while I was a counselor.  As the Head Pre-K teacher I had a very fulfilling job and enjoyed each day.  My co-teacher was amazing and we worked very well together.  The environment was very positive and loving.  The owner was flexible with hours and family always came first.  This was the main reason I took the position.  The pay could have been better but it was balanced by the fact that my three children attended summer camp at no cost.

This was quite honestly, the worst and most degrading job I've ever held. First, the director has NO CLUE as to what she is doing, while at the same time, manages to be passive aggressive and nasty to the employees. Your hours can range anywhere from 30-90 hours a week, and the director will have you take 2 hour lunches to combat any overtime on your paycheck. This center will only operate up to state standards when they get wind that an inspector is coming. I know that most daycares operate similarly, but if you have a choice, DO NOT work here.

What is the best part of working at the company?
Some of the children. And a couple of the teachers

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
The children's repeated behavior, not feeling like you're part of the team not knowing where you're going to be from day to day

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
Pleasant at the same time. Stressful

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
Everyone there welcomes you through the door and helps you if you need help

Top Job Titles	Average Salary
Assistant teacher 118 salaries reported	$13.66 per hour
Lead teacher 101 salaries reported	$13.98 per hour
Child care teacher 147 salaries reported	$14.28 per hour
Group leader 57 salaries reported	$12.86 per hour
Childcare provider 73 salaries reported	$12.72 per hour

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