Every single person working for a center is under paid. The importance of our jobs is so great. We are literally caring for the lives of children, yet people working to flip burgers or stock Walmart shelves make more now than anyone starting in childcare. I have been here 11 years, out of my love for children and education. My management is flexible with hours which keeps me here for now. We do not make a living wage. When I have told anyone what I make at my job of 11 years, they are flabbergasted. More work and more expectations on leads every school year, and succeeding with these expectations at the highest level, this company believes I am worth 25-50 cents raises per year. We do not get bonuses, not even a paid for meal for the holidays, nothing from corporate. Not to mention there was a wage freeze for several years and when it was lifted, we weren’t compensated for it at all. I do like the idea of sapphire club gifts but what about the infant and toddler leads who do not use LCS? Where is their recognition for a job well done? We have lost so many quality teachers purely because of wages. It’s time to give early childhood educators the respect they deserve.
