preschool teacher

parent educator

family support worker

child care teacher

school counselor

Upkid

What is the best part of working at the company?
I'm able to decide the days I want to work.  The pay per hour is better than the average pay for a substitute teacher in my area.  If I don't like a certain center I don't have to return.  Most of the locations are very nice. 

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
Sometimes the location is further than I would prefer to drive for the best paying jobs. As a result trying to get there on time can be a little stressful even if I leave early.  

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
You're working at different centers, therfore each location is different.  Upkid as a whole is ok. I really don't interact with anyone from within the company other than through chats. There is no face to face interaction. 

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
If I'm not able to secure a job prior to the day I would like to work I have to wake up early enough to see what's available and try to get hired. Whatever job I apply for on that day I have to make sure I have ample time to get there early.  Once hired there's the task of getting there on time.  Also I have to be prepared for whatever each Center requires such as uniform or what their dress code is.  Typically I arrive early to talk with the director to get instructions and my day begins.

I love the concept of this program to fill in the gaps when childcare substitutes are not available. However, there are so many drawbacks to this job so it’s really only something I  would recommend if you need extra income. I have been with this company for over a year now, and I have always struggled to get a hold of the management who oversees Upkid. They are unfriendly and not willing to back you up. Pay starts at $15. Unfortunately, it is very rare that you get highly rated or high-quality preschools or daycare needing assistance as usually those ones already have internal substitutes specifically for their school. There is also often a shortage of shifts or shifts too far away from SLC. In my experience, the only ones that are ok Upkid are the ones who can’t keep other people long-term so they need someone to fill in almost every day or most days. They are often very poorly run, or other times the manager is great but staff you work with isn’t. You also don’t get warned ahead of time if you will be working with kids who bite or have major behavior issues. If you do decide to go through them, just be prepared for all of these things, and you can still get some extra income. 

Typical day at work:
Each day can look a little different depending on the placement, but it usually involves stepping into a classroom, following the center’s routine, and supporting children through play, learning activities, and transitions.

What I learned:
I’ve learned how to adapt quickly to new environments, communicate effectively with different teams, and manage a variety of behaviors and age groups with confidence.

Management:
Management is responsive and professional, especially when it comes to scheduling and resolving issues, though most day-to-day direction comes from the individual centers you’re placed in.

Workplace culture:
The culture varies by site, but overall it’s collaborative and centered around supporting children, with many teams being welcoming to temporary staff.

Hardest part of the job:
The most challenging part is adjusting to new environments frequently and learning each center’s expectations on the spot.

Most enjoyable part of the job:
The flexibility and variety keep the job interesting, and building connections with kids and staff in different settings is really rewarding.

This is for anyone who wants to work in childcare part time and needs flexibility in their schedule. This is especially good for anyone who may wanna pick up some extra money on their day off. If you wanna work in childcare full time, this is also a good way to work at different daycares and see which ones you like best! There are almost always shifts available to apply for every weekday, meaning lots of opportunities! And you can apply for the shifts YOU want to work, the ones that work with YOUR schedule. My favorite part is if there's a day I don't want to work, I don't have to ask for time off, I just don't apply for any shifts on those days! And if your schedule isn't consistent where you don't wanna apply for anything too far in advance, there's always plenty of last-minute shifts as well. I have learned SO MUCH about working with different age groups and learning how different centers run things. I have grown SO MUCH in my skills and confidence as a child caregiver and I'm SO thankful!!!!!

It is almost impossible to get a shift even at a center you have previously worked at.
You apply for shifts;  don't get hired and many times the center still has several 
shifts to be filled.  I also disagree  how much your reliability score drops if you need to cancel because that makes it even more impossible to get a shift.  If I cancel way in advance it should not be such a hard hit especially when it seems the centers have plenty subs to choose from.  Most of the shifts are 20-30 miles from my home and I live in a metro area; so the pay is not worth it.  Finally, if your are able to get hired for shifts you have to provide your SSN to every center you work so they can pull your background since Upkid does not provide with the background check to the centers that  you completed prior to starting.  

Working with Upkid has been a great experience! A typical day is smooth and organized, with clear expectations and helpful communication. I learned how to adapt quickly to new environments and age groups, improving my classroom management skills. Management is supportive and responsive, always just a message away if you need help. The workplace culture is flexible and positive, which makes each assignment enjoyable. The hardest part can be adjusting to different routines at each location, but it becomes easier with time. The most enjoyable part is bonding with the kids and watching them learn and grow!

A typical day at UpKid is structured yet full of energy, with hands-on learning, guiding young children, and ensuring a safe, engaging classroom. I learned how to adapt quickly, manage various behaviors, and communicate effectively with both kids and staff. Management was supportive and responsive, making expectations clear. The workplace culture was collaborative and kid-centered, with a focus on growth and flexibility. The hardest part of the job was managing transitions with younger children, especially during busy moments. However, the most enjoyable part was building connections with the children—watching them grow, learn, and light up with excitement. Each day brought new challenges, but also rewarding moments that reminded me why I love working with kids.

A typical day involves checking the app every morning & before bed to see if shifts are available that I can easily get to. I usually confirm the shifts that I apply to by calling that specific center to confirm that they need someone for said shift because shifts can be posted by accident or the need for a sub can change. Once I am hired, I make my way to that location, I clock in from my phone, work my shift, clock out for the day, submit my timecard, and then wait a few days to be paid. I like Upkid mainly for the part-time shifts and flexibility since I have to work around my kid's school schedule. The only disadvantage is finding a lot of part-time shifts that are close by. But I do what I can :)

A typical day at work would be driving to the center who hired me and then clocking in when I get there. The director of the daycare talks me through the kids schedule and tells me if I have any questions that I can just call for them and they will help. I play with the kids and take them outside on the playground then I give them snack and have them free play until their parents come to get them. The hardest thing about this job is that when you apply to substitute at some centers a lot of them cancel their request for a substitute last minute. The most enjoyable part is being able to help the daycares who need it and get to spend time helping kids.

It's a great option for you if you're good with taking care of kids while needing something flexible for a little extra income. I wouldn't rely on this option as a full time job to pay your bills since there is a lot of uncertainty to it. It also depends on the area where you work - if there's daycare's in demand - as well as how long you are willing to travel. While you get to choose your shifts, you are also at the mercy of the daycare whether or not they will hire you for the day as they will most likely have a pool of applicants to choose from. I try to apply for as many as I can and sometimes I can't afford to be picky when it comes to distance. I don't always get hired for the role so I have to find out another way to make money that day (Donating plasma, uber driver). 

Top Job Titles	Average Salary
Preschool teacher 55 salaries reported	$17.16 per hour
Parent educator 5 salaries reported	$19.00 per hour
Family support worker 1 salary reported	$19.00 per hour
Child care teacher 1 salary reported	$17.50 per hour
School counselor 12 salaries reported	$16.50 per hour

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