I've had the opportunity to work at Explorers in Learning, twice. Which means I have more insight…read morethan most who quit after two weeks or a month.
Back in 2018, EIL was a place where it was an honor to work there. The directors got along, and if they didn't I never saw it. They were respectful and focused on the children more. Staff that were there had been there a long time. They stood for something. They gave raises and praise. My first year there, I received a 2 dollar raise. My second time around, I received .37 cents.
Now, EIL is not a place for growth of development. They do not care about you as a teacher, but they love to have you as a body in the classroom. I'd recommend asking them how their turnover rate is. Just in my 1.5 years (with a 2 month unpaid maternity leave) there, I've seen plenty of staff come and go, 20 that I can think of off the top of my head. A business owner once told me, "Happy people don't leave." I'm not trying to tarnish your thoughts on EIL, but it's not a place to work if you have your own thoughts and opinions.
The only benefit they offer is PTO if you work over 32 hours a week. As much as the parents pay, I spoke with two of them outside of work and they were shocked to hear that as pricy EIL is, they do not offer any benefits. If you put your notice in, make sure you use your PTO before you go. I was denied my measly 6 hours of PTO on my last check. As a single mother of two, that's a full days pay as I worked part time.
As much praise I received from the assistant director, the parents, and the bonds with the majority of the staff there, the director and one out of two of her daughters who work there are drama filled. They ask you personal information, so they can report it back to her. You're not able to fully express yourself without walking on eggshells. If you want to be in the office, dealing with drama, gossip, a place where the director admittedly said she only knows 5 percent of what goes on in the center, and stress then sign right up, they're always, ALWAYS hiring.
You'll have a staff meeting once a month to talk about the same thing without a solution.
Ironically, even though I had my issues with the director, the parents and students loved me. Before maternity leave, the director made the decision to remove me from infants since I raised concerns about the ethics in the classroom. Shortly after being removed, a formula fed child drank breastmilk that didn't belong to her. I assume the director removing me from the classroom was to get me to quit, but it didn't. She put me in Bumblebees where I thrive as well. Then a bonus... I had all my babies that I started with and gained in infants. I was extremely happy.
One last thing... "Policy is situational" per the director. So really, it isn't policy. Policy is only enforced if you are disliked.
From a parents point of view:
The teachers are pretty good. My son was in Inch Worms and the bond he created with his teachers and the assistant director was like no other. I appreciated the love they gave to him. They allow you to bring you own food in which isn't common. My son never ate the food there though. It doesn't look very appetizing. The teachers are great, but they don't stay very long. From January to August, my infant child had two lead teachers quit.
One negative about the parent aspect is a parent said they were pulling their child because the director can't get along with his wife. That was such a sweet family and they're gone because of the director.
