My children have been attending Lakeside for a little over a year and I can't say enough great…read morethings about the care they receive there. We had actually been searching for a house in the area and I was looking at day cares to get on lists right away - I loved the facility, teachers, and several other accommodations on our tour that we actually ended up reducing our house search to a smaller area specifically because Lakeside offers transportation to and from a few local elementary schools (they're fantastic schools that we were already considering in addition to another district). That was a big win for me. I also love that they provide us with extra time saving amenities - meals and washing nap linens. While smaller scale things, it's just nice not to have to pack healthy lunches for my little ones every day, or realize at 9pm on Sunday that I forgot to wash nap sheets. I was nervous to uproot my children from a school/day care that we already loved, but thankfully the transition was relatively seamless, and I've been very happy with their care and education.

Unhealthy Work Environment Rooted in Toxic Leadership My…read moreexperience at this company as an employee was defined by toxic leadership and a deeply dysfunctional culture. The director consistently made decisions based on personal convenience rather than what was best for staff or the children. There was a strong desire for control, yet staff were reprimanded for not being "independent" enough--creating a no-win situation. Constructive suggestions, creativity, or simply knowing more about a subject than the director were often met with criticism or hostility. The director's moods dictated the tone of the workplace, and if she was having a bad day, everyone felt it. In some cases, personal items were thrown at staff, and interactions could be emotionally damaging. I routinely witnessed the director comment about individual appearances and make professional decisions based on such. Employees are routinely expected to handle personal tasks for the director and owners, including managing their packages, running errands, and printing personal photos--often after hours. If a package is lost or an item is incorrect, staff are blamed and interrogated. There was little regard for work-life balance. The director frequently arrived late or left early for personal reasons, yet staff were not extended the same flexibility. Even in cases of illness, employees were pressured to come in, with little empathy or support. You are required to speak to the director personally when calling off work so that she can question and pressure you to come into work. Resources were limited, with classroom supplies locked away due to misplaced accusations of theft. Staff often had to purchase their own materials. Long-standing broken items were blamed on staff, regardless of logic or context. Perhaps most concerning was the expectation that staff attend charity events and contribute financially, even when it wasn't feasible. There was a clear pattern of manipulation and quid-pro-quo dynamics. Overall, this was a psychologically unhealthy environment that prioritized the needs and egos of management over the well-being of employees. I would not recommend working here unless there is a change of owner.