Toxic Work Environment - Director The Nest Schools Employee Review

This company does not allow for any type of forward momentum or career development, they simply hire friends and make up home office positions while never opening up advancement opportunities to employees within (notice how the only posts are for centers or the call center. All others are randomly added with no posting or interview process. They do not have an HR department. They do not value state child care licensing regulations AT ALL if they don't align with the "owner's vision." It does not matter to them if the state says NO, they will push or borderline force you to break the rules to do it the "Nest way." Home office personnel are rude, condescending, disrespectful and LOVE to gossip about the centers, the director's and any possible things they may be struggling with. The quality enhancement team more concerned with spending money on flights, hotels, dining out, getting drunk and doing who knows what else instead of focusing on the centers as they should. They are rude, and mean to the teachers, have horrendous customer service skills and absolutely no boundaries when it comes to inquring about anything they are interested in gossiping about. There are several people who are all friends in positions of power or investors in the business that have no experience or education in their role. This company uses poor contractors that do shotty work at best and do not care to correct the mistakes. Why ? Because the company who hired them is also an investor. They push directors to work an inconceivable amount of hours and tasks with low staffing while increasing enrollment. The newest development upon leaving was a goal that included over filling the center to maximize profits without enough staff or square footage to do so. We're told to "just make the gym a classroom" even though it is NOT licensed as such, told more than once NOT to ever consult the licensing specialists with questions People told us NEVER to question anyone in positions of authority in this company because as a Director that is "not our place" Questioning about a tragedy without a witness or HR rep that took place outside of the building that violates more than one standard practice in business. This company believes they can solve workplace culture issues with Funday Monday activities which waste money, eat up time and add more stress to the Director's plate because you're scolded when you can't participate. There is no autonomy for the teachers or directors in their buildings. Every move they make, every message, key stroke and even if they move about their buildings is monitored via cameras they have installed with 360 lenses, zoom and SOUND. Any conversion you have (even with your doctor or spouse) they have access to listen to. They do not follow accreditation guidance in regard to curriculum or classroom design. Directors and teachers are not permitted to personalize their buildings or classrooms to fit the needs of the class/children. The Nest dictates how one MUST set up a room. Student's work is not to be hung on walls, only 2 picture hanging strips per room. The company breeds competition between teachers and directors as they send out performance reports of all buildings weekly to everyone. They do NOT care about work life balance AT ALL and expect you to be available to take calls, meetings and tours whenever they becken you. They have consistently put "the cart before the horse" in every department, rolling out tasks, requirements, regulations, center remodels and more with a "make it work, we'll fix it later" mentality regardless of that effects those in the physical centers (staff, parents, children). This company in no way values its employees, the children or families that pay their salaries or how the decisions they make effect those inside their buildings. They mismamaged payroll on more than one occasion with "oops our mistake" being the only restitution. The Nest may offer it all and more, but know this is all smoke and mirrors to cover up a deeply rooted toxic culture. There are so many better options. *please note that this review in NO WAY reflects experiences with the team of teachers or the experience with the region's specific leader, or the families within the center. These were the only silver linings during the time with this company. Toxic work environments effect one's psychological and emotional health, and pour into the home life of those dealing with it.