Pros
It truly depends on each individual school, but at my current center the staff morale is strong, the families and children are wonderful, and the pay is competitive. I’ve also received yearly raises since I’ve been here. Every location will have its own culture, but when you find the right fit, it’s absolutely worth it!
Cons
Ratios are always tied to state requirements, but the challenge comes when hours are cut or classrooms are combined just to meet budget. Every hour has to be accounted for, and while I understand it’s also a business, having a little flexibility for extra hours would make a huge difference - whether it’s for teacher planning time or additional support when behaviors are high. Sometimes having only an AD or Director isn’t enough. Having a strong teacher, like a master teacher or team lead, step in to model and support for a day would be incredibly helpful, and it shouldn’t put the school at risk for being “over ratio.” Even if it happened just occasionally, it would go a long way. I know most corporations operate this way, but the lack of wiggle room can be tough.
