|
private:kidssciencelabs-2
|
https://www.glassdoor.com?employer_id=1165603
|
Dec 1st, 2020 12:00AM
|
Open
|
Open
|
Kids Science Labs
|
Teacher
|
United States
|
USA
|
If you have a degree, you deserve better than working for this mismanaged company
|
|
I always had an amazing, supportive team that kept me working here for 4 years. The families and the children you meet through teaching here are wonderful experiences you will most certainly treasure forever. You truly do feel like you're making a difference through education, but it's not enough to stay. I only gave this company 2 stars because of the families you get to meet and the teammates you get to work with.
|
It’s a lot to digest, but it’s worth a read if you’re seriously considering working here:
-Being committed to the company for 2+ years doesn't mean anything to them. Don't expect a professional or celebrated farewell, they like to keep your exit a secret from the rest of the company or they try to twist it in a way to make them look better. We often found out someone left or got let go through word of mouth.
-It's a revolving door of employees, there's always someone new being hired on because many veteran staff members are leaving to do bigger and better things with their lives. Even one of the upper management staff members left and she had a great position within the company.
-They don’t have a good sense of work/life balance.
-They started making salaried employees clock in and out because they seem to have trust issues with their employees.
-They had good intentions to make teachers’ lives easier, but ultimately that backfired on them so now they make everyone do extra work for their poor decision making.
-The founders can’t seem to let go of their need to control everything. I understand it’s their company that they started, but they need to be better at delegating the work and trusting others to get the job done efficiently. They actually hired someone who has really great experience with helping businesses grow, but they’re not even letting him do his job, so why are you paying him a salary if you don’t even want to take his advice?
-Upper management seems to be threatened by people with good ideas because they’re not their own. They say they want feedback, but don’t like being challenged when they think someone else has a good idea.
-They don’t handle conflict or communication as well as they think they do.
-Upper management will try to psychoanalyze everything you say so be careful on how you approach them with sensitive topics.
-Like many of the other truthful, genuine reviews left on here, they all hit it right on the nose when they say it’s a “yes” man type of culture. If you drink the Kool-Aid you’ll do alright, but if not, it’ll be a challenge for you. It’s hard to be a teacher when you feel like you can’t be yourself and vent about your day with your teammates. Being a teacher is a tough job and kids can be tricky to work with sometimes.
-There’s a weird, fake positivity that goes around that upper management is trying to keep up. You can feel how hard they’re trying to be overly positive about everything instead of being real human beings.
-There’s no proper HR, the founders are the “HR representatives” so if you have sensitive issues about the company, policies, or about them, good luck getting help.
-The concept of KSL is great on paper, but it’s not a well executed concept. They opened up too many centers too fast, so they will let go or fire employees to save money and then hire cheaper help. At first their philosophy was to hire experienced professionals with a degree, but now they’re just looking for anyone who is willing to work for cheap and is decent with kids.
-They make promises that they can’t keep and don’t expect an annual review every year. They only do them if it’s convenient for them or you can request an informal one.
-Meetings are way too long! Most of the employees think they just like to hear themselves talk. It’s very evident on every zoom meeting that nobody wants to be there for over an hour.
-Your hard earned PTO doesn’t get to be used how you want at times. Because there are NO substitutes for their teachers, if you take any time off, you’ll end up feeling bad for leaving your team with more work. They might even ask you to change your requested days off if it’s not convenient for them.
-Before COVID, they used to crowd our already small classrooms just to make the extra buck, not really taking into account the stress it puts on the teachers and staff. Silver lining of COVID is that it keeps the numbers in check.
|
-1.0
|
NEGATIVE
|
0.0
|
NEUTRAL
|
-1.0
|
DISAPPROVE
|
4.0
|
2.0
|
1.0
|
1.0
|
1.0
|
1.0
|
1.0
|
|
1165603
|
Open
|
-Thank you for the opportunity for me to grow as a teacher and I got to meet some life long friends through working here.
-As a small company, work on your culture. Make it feel more like a cooperative and collaborative work environment like you advertise.
-Be more genuine and vulnerable. Nobody likes a disingenuous person and everyone can tell when you’re being fake or real.
-Keep ALL meetings and professional developments short, concise, and to the point. You even had a PD about process listening and communication where you shared research about people only retaining and comprehending a small percentage of presentations. Practice what you preach.
-Don’t make promises you can’t keep.
-Actually do annual reviews. Doesn’t matter how busy you are, every professional company does them. Even if you can’t afford to give your employees raises, be better at telling people how thankful you are for their hard work and that they deserve better. It’ll go a long way to make that effort.
-Don’t act like summer camp is the best thing in the world. It’s not. It’s only good for you, most of the staff are miserable and tired by the end of it. And if you think otherwise, then you really don't know your employees as well as you think you do.
-Be MORE accountable for your actions. “I’m sorry” is not enough.
-Why aren’t your veteran teachers and staff staying? Why are most people getting degrees in other fields or continuing their education degree only to not work for you? This should be a job where people are flocking to and want to stay for the long haul.
-Please reread all of the reviews and seriously consider all the feedback you’ve gotten from current and former employees.
-Actually live by your so called Core Values.
-Best of luck in the future.
|
0.0
|
[]
|
REGULAR
|
No
|
No
|
|
4.0
|
|
|
|
Mar 15th, 2021 02:47PM
|
Mar 15th, 2021 02:47PM
|
Kids Science Labs
|
|
|
|
private:kidssciencelabs-2
|
https://www.glassdoor.com?employer_id=1165603
|
Oct 21st, 2020 12:00AM
|
Open
|
Open
|
Kids Science Labs
|
Teacher
|
Chicago, IL
|
|
Loved working here! Bosses were great, the content was great, and the kids were the best
|
|
The culture was amazing, coworkers were great people, location
|
Hours were tricky sometimes. Kids can be demanding
|
1.0
|
POSITIVE
|
1.0
|
POSITIVE
|
1.0
|
APPROVE
|
0.0
|
5.0
|
3.0
|
5.0
|
5.0
|
4.0
|
5.0
|
|
1165603
|
Open
|
|
0.0
|
[]
|
REGULAR
|
No
|
No
|
|
2.0
|
|
|
|
Mar 15th, 2021 02:47PM
|
Mar 15th, 2021 02:47PM
|
Kids Science Labs
|
|
|
|
private:kidssciencelabs-2
|
https://www.glassdoor.com?employer_id=1165603
|
Sep 9th, 2020 12:00AM
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Open
|
Open
|
Kids Science Labs
|
I Was Relieved to Leave
|
United States
|
USA
|
Overworked, Under Appreciated, and Burnt Out
|
|
While I was there I met the most wonderful educators, children, and parents.
Worked alongside very enthusiastic, caring educators.
Programming was fun and engaging
|
internally, the company was very disorganized and bit off more than they can chew. the work environment across multiple centers was always rushed, stressed, and understaffed. It seemed impossible to separate work & life because of the constant stress I was under while working there.
Employees often worked the job or had the responsibilities of multiple roles (with no pay increase or compensation), causing ambiguity, burn out, and hostility from upper management when not meeting unrealistic expectations.
losing HR caused huge moral shifts that left employees feeling unheard of their concerns.
ultimately, unhappy teachers and staff cause for a hit in programming and a higher turn around for employees.
|
-1.0
|
NEGATIVE
|
-1.0
|
NEGATIVE
|
|
|
3.0
|
2.0
|
2.0
|
2.0
|
2.0
|
2.0
|
1.0
|
|
1165603
|
Open
|
Focus on the success of one center before opening up more. When there are nderstaffed centers with no plan, no management or guidance, and no compensation for being overworked, it is unsurprising so many people have left.
|
0.0
|
[]
|
REGULAR
|
No
|
No
|
|
0.0
|
|
|
|
Mar 15th, 2021 02:47PM
|
Mar 15th, 2021 02:47PM
|
Kids Science Labs
|
|
|
|
private:kidssciencelabs-2
|
https://www.glassdoor.com?employer_id=1165603
|
Jul 5th, 2019 12:00AM
|
Open
|
Open
|
Kids Science Labs
|
Anonymous Employee
|
United States
|
USA
|
Poor Operations
|
|
What we do each and every day is inspiring. The classes offered to kids is wonderful. I wish more inner city kids could afford it.
|
The cons about KSL are the executive management team. It is very difficult to trust them because they have favorites . They also have a tendency to talk to you like you are stupid. Just be upfront...you want me to do something outside the scope of my job - lets discuss, dont' try to BS employees and persuade them to work in areas that would make them unhappy. We not stupid!
Also it is hard to trust a company that gets rid of Human Resources when they are a "growing organization". Employees now do not have a trustworthy person to go to about any issues they have. After they got rid of Human Resources, operations and administrative functions declined (i.e. late paychecks).
You will be tired. You will work long hours and everyone manages it well in the beginning but it is not sustainable. The owners will expect you to give 100% of yourself and sacrifice your worklife balance for THEIR company. It would be different if we were given stock options but that is not the case.
|
-1.0
|
NEGATIVE
|
1.0
|
POSITIVE
|
-1.0
|
DISAPPROVE
|
4.0
|
2.0
|
1.0
|
3.0
|
1.0
|
3.0
|
1.0
|
|
1165603
|
Open
|
If you are not going to have a HR, hire someone to handle the administrative functions so we are not impacted by owners being overwhelmed and doing more then he should.
|
0.0
|
[]
|
REGULAR
|
No
|
Yes
|
|
4.0
|
|
|
|
Mar 15th, 2021 02:47PM
|
Mar 15th, 2021 02:47PM
|
Kids Science Labs
|
|
|
|
private:kidssciencelabs-2
|
https://www.glassdoor.com?employer_id=1165603
|
Feb 7th, 2019 12:00AM
|
Open
|
Open
|
Kids Science Labs
|
Teacher
|
Northbrook, IL
|
|
Fun and Engaging Work Environment
|
|
I have been working at KSL for 2 years, and it is a genuinely fun place to work. No day is the same, and I love that we get to explore fun questions alongside our students. Classes are structured to facilitate a fun and engaging environment for students. KSL is unlike any other option available to students, and you can feel that the moment you walk into a KSL. Kids are so curious and we get to help them connect with that curiosity. I have worked in museums, traditional classrooms, and even other after school programs, and no place has felt like KSL. Kids, parents and teachers LOVE being here.
Staff is offered countless opportunities on a weekly basis to learn best teaching and leadership practices and also allow us to connect and collaborate with teachers and other staff members across all of the centers. KSL is growing quickly so there is lots of opportunity for teachers to be a part of the growth.
KSL Leadership cares deeply about their employees and listens to concerns we have in regards to making improvements. They want us to be the best teachers in the world offering the most engaging hands-on classes ever, and have developed the training and curriculum to back it up.
|
-It is not easy work and requires teachers, assistants, and front desk staff to be very adaptable, but we are changing kid’s lives and their perspectives, definitely not the right fit for someone just looking for any job.
-There are some growing pains and learning curves as new systems come into place to allow for new centers, but in the long run these systems are necessary to allow for efficiency at volume.
|
1.0
|
POSITIVE
|
1.0
|
POSITIVE
|
1.0
|
APPROVE
|
2.0
|
5.0
|
4.0
|
5.0
|
5.0
|
5.0
|
5.0
|
|
1165603
|
Open
|
- Excited about growth, and creating support system for new centers is awesome.
- During growth also important to keep pulse check on existing centers and teachers to ensure all the centers are functioning at a high level.
|
0.0
|
[]
|
REGULAR
|
No
|
Yes
|
|
2.0
|
|
|
|
Mar 15th, 2021 02:47PM
|
Mar 15th, 2021 02:47PM
|
Kids Science Labs
|
|
|
|
private:kidssciencelabs-2
|
https://www.glassdoor.com?employer_id=1165603
|
Feb 5th, 2019 12:00AM
|
Open
|
Open
|
Kids Science Labs
|
Teacher
|
Wheaton, IL
|
|
Inspiring Workplace
|
|
Being able to interact with and engage kids at this level is an unbelievable opportunity. KSL appreciates the individual talents and contributions of each team member and is intentional when it comes to training and personal growth. KSL's curriculum empowers teaching staff to allow kids to explore the burning questions they have. Staff is fun and creative and the leadership team is made up of thoughtful individuals.
|
There are some challenges that come alongside being a company in it's first 10 years, but every year there is improvement.
|
1.0
|
POSITIVE
|
|
|
1.0
|
APPROVE
|
0.0
|
4.0
|
3.0
|
5.0
|
4.0
|
3.0
|
5.0
|
|
1165603
|
Open
|
Create leadership opportunities outside of the KIC.
|
0.0
|
[]
|
PART_TIME
|
No
|
Yes
|
|
4.0
|
|
|
|
Mar 15th, 2021 02:47PM
|
Mar 15th, 2021 02:47PM
|
Kids Science Labs
|
|
|
|
private:kidssciencelabs-2
|
https://www.glassdoor.com?employer_id=1165603
|
Nov 19th, 2018 12:00AM
|
Open
|
Open
|
Kids Science Labs
|
Summer Teaching Fellow
|
Seattle, WA
|
|
Teaching Fellow
|
|
I've never grown personally so much from a job. Being part of the Greenlake KSL team changed my entire work ethic and skill level. The team works diligently to offer Teaching Fellows professional development and support as they learn to be engaging and caring teachers. Kids Science Labs offers an open environment to kids and truly listens to their students. The environment they build around students is unlike any other. I would recommend this company to anyone passionate about young minds and inspiring kids! The founders and senior staff are always available and interested in both you opinions and helping you grow as an individual and an educator.
|
The summer is fast paced and intense. Teaching hands-on science is definitely a new ball game for anyone who has experience with more formal education. It takes some time to learn your own balance and you have to carve out your own work-life balance because with so much to do, you can easily be sucked into over 40 hours in a week.
|
1.0
|
POSITIVE
|
1.0
|
POSITIVE
|
1.0
|
APPROVE
|
0.0
|
5.0
|
3.0
|
5.0
|
5.0
|
4.0
|
5.0
|
|
1165603
|
Open
|
|
0.0
|
[]
|
REGULAR
|
No
|
No
|
|
1.0
|
|
|
|
Mar 15th, 2021 02:47PM
|
Mar 15th, 2021 02:47PM
|
Kids Science Labs
|
|
|
|
private:kidssciencelabs-2
|
https://www.glassdoor.com?employer_id=1165603
|
Oct 31st, 2018 12:00AM
|
Open
|
Open
|
Kids Science Labs
|
Teacher
|
United States
|
USA
|
Don't Do It!
|
|
Co-workers (for the most part) are genuinely awesome people that work really hard and make work fun. Their mission is well-meaning, but so, so poorly executed in so many different ways.
|
Easily the most disappointing work experience I have ever had. What other reviewers have said about needing to "drink the cool-aid," management being paranoid and micro-managers, favorite employees being openly treated differently etc. are right on. The only way to be successful here is to be a "Yes" person and allow management to take advantage of you and your time and even then it depends on how much they like you personally. Management knows absolutely nothing about education and is not open to suggestions from people that do. They claim to be open to suggestions about how to make the business operate better, but in reality they become extremely defensive and feel threatened. I have seen MANY valuable and dedicated employees let go or pushed out for sharing suggestions that management felt threatened by or didn't agree with. High stress environment even when it doesn't need to be. Management will talk negatively about employees to everyone except for the employee they have issue with, creating a very toxic work environment. Expectations are rarely clear, but you will be held responsible for not living up to them. Co-founders seem like decent people at first, but they are unreasonable, narcissistic, arrogant, and erratic.
Classes are recycled over and over and more than one parent has complained about paying for "new" classes that are not actually new. I also have an issue with the amount of waste created for the take-home projects. Kids are given SO MUCH plastic to use to build their projects that is then covered in duct tape and thrown away not long after they get home.
|
-1.0
|
NEGATIVE
|
|
|
-1.0
|
DISAPPROVE
|
6.0
|
1.0
|
0.0
|
0.0
|
0.0
|
0.0
|
0.0
|
|
1165603
|
Open
|
I know that they wouldn't listen to any advice, so I won't waste my time.
|
0.0
|
[]
|
REGULAR
|
No
|
No
|
|
0.0
|
|
|
|
Mar 15th, 2021 02:47PM
|
Mar 15th, 2021 02:47PM
|
Kids Science Labs
|
|
|
|
private:kidssciencelabs-2
|
https://www.glassdoor.com?employer_id=1165603
|
Oct 21st, 2018 12:00AM
|
Open
|
Open
|
Kids Science Labs
|
|
United States
|
USA
|
Great Culture - Bad Individuals!
|
|
-Office space is nice, programs have a good intent and mission statement is good
|
-Management individuals are paranoid, and if you aren't "drinking the kool-aid" they will immediately make it readily apparent
-Consistently high-stress, job functions do not often match job descriptions
-Basic customer-service drawbacks, little freedom to learn as an employee (from other employees, learning from the students is always part of the job)
|
-1.0
|
NEGATIVE
|
1.0
|
POSITIVE
|
-1.0
|
DISAPPROVE
|
4.0
|
1.0
|
1.0
|
3.0
|
3.0
|
2.0
|
1.0
|
|
1165603
|
Open
|
Have your jobs fit the description and give individuals time to adapt!
|
0.0
|
[]
|
REGULAR
|
No
|
No
|
|
0.0
|
|
|
|
Mar 15th, 2021 02:47PM
|
Mar 15th, 2021 02:47PM
|
Kids Science Labs
|
|
|
|
private:kidssciencelabs-2
|
https://www.glassdoor.com?employer_id=1165603
|
Sep 4th, 2018 12:00AM
|
Open
|
Open
|
Kids Science Labs
|
Teacher
|
United States
|
USA
|
KSL puts the 'cult' in 'culture'
|
|
The kids are truly amazing. Experiments are fun. If you're at the right location you will have fun coworkers.
|
Management spends 100% of their time dissecting employees every move and waiting for them to mess up. They claim to be a forward-thinking, feedback-centered company, however, anyone with a dissenting opinion is quickly discredited or fired. Management is generally arrogant and likes to surround themselves with kiss ups.
Turn over is crazy high, for good reason.
|
-1.0
|
NEGATIVE
|
0.0
|
NEUTRAL
|
-1.0
|
DISAPPROVE
|
4.0
|
1.0
|
1.0
|
1.0
|
1.0
|
3.0
|
1.0
|
|
1165603
|
Open
|
Spend some time straightening out your operations instead of micromanaging all of your employees.
|
0.0
|
[]
|
REGULAR
|
No
|
No
|
|
2.0
|
|
|
|
Mar 15th, 2021 02:47PM
|
Mar 15th, 2021 02:47PM
|
Kids Science Labs
|
|
|