WELL! have i ever had a bad experience. i have lots to post, and questions too- please read thru and let me know your opinions.I accepted an offer of employment with a locally well- known chain of centres, which have been operating since 1977. I was so excited, as their reputation for child focused care is fabulous- how wrong I was!
When i arrived at the centre on day one- i was literally left alone with 17 children 2-5 years old for 2 hours. There was no program, and of course i didnt know where anything was, childrens names, ages, needs etc etc. Thrown in the deep end would be putting it way too lightly. as the day progressed, it became apparent this problems were things that happened each day- it seemed to me that the centre was understaffed and over-booked. Day two saw a little improvement, another staff member appeared, although she didnt even speak with me until i introduced myself early afternoon. i discovered she was the person in charge- still no communication, assistance etc. The centre also runs an on site OOSH program- so after 3pm another 17 school aged kids arrived- with no extra staff nor program/activities for them. I was told ratios were fine- as it is classed as all one service- although it runs out of two separate buildings ( 0-2 and 3-5 ). what is this about ratios ? i have been told this recently- that staff is counted across the physical space, not per groupings of children. This makes no sense to me!-and meant i was being left alone with 14-27 kids of varying ages several times during my shift. The children were still running about outside in the cold and dark at 5:00pm, so as not to mess up the activities set up inside for the next day.
From an employees' perspective- After accepting the offer , i was then told by other employees that as a full time worker, daiy shifts are 9 hours, with a 1 hour unpaid lunch - however we had to stay in the room and keep working during this break anyhow!? also, was not advised my hourly rate, and then discover the company has its 'own' award, from circa 1994. ?? still don't know what/if they will pay me.
seriously, in all my 20 years in and out of the industry, i have never seen anything like this place! i am shell shocked, and cant believe it. there was no on site director, so i spoke via phone with the woman who interviewed and hired me. she was defensive, quite aggressive, and aware of the issues at the centre. however , it seems there were no strategies being put in place to address/improve conditions.
I couldnt handle it by day 4- and simply stated i would not be returning, thank you very much!!
SO- help me understand this ratio debacle, the mixed ages, the OOSH kids, how ratios and staff and groupings work. also- where do i report the centre to? seriously, the kids there are NOT being cared for- its a risk on so many levels.
I am so shocked, and feel absolutely appalled at this situation. HELP!!!
L.A
