early childhood teacher

éducateur de la petite enfance

commis à l'accueil

property manager

facilities manager

Wee Wild Ones

This place has an amazing vision, and I completely support what they're trying to do by putting so much emphasis/attention on having the kids be outside constantly exploring and playing. The kids are mostly great, your coworkers are also mostly great, but when it comes to management - watch out. They say that they strongly advocate the importance of mental health and compassion and understanding, but when all is said and done - they really don't. You will continually be asked how they can help you or how they can support you within your role, but no matter the feedback you provide - nothing will ever be done or put into place. If you make mistakes, your position will be threatened, regardless of the reason/circumstance. If you aren't assigned to one classroom, be prepared to be anywhere and everywhere all at once, even if they give you a schedule - it will change 100 times before the end of the day. You're expected to clock in/out every time you switch rooms, and if you clock in early from a break, or work through it or a fraction of it, your hours will be adjusted without your consent, even when they are short staffed and need your help. They are consistently out of ratio, and can't keep good staff to save their life. While childcare tends to be a high turnaround industry, the amount of staff that is still there from when I started is less than 20%, and that is a lot worse than other companies I've worked for. Their benefits don't go into effect until after 6 months, and you have to pay a decent amount of the cost once they do. 

Their interview process was a bit of a red flag as well, as I only received an email asking when a good time to call would be, followed by a very short phone call that simply asked me if I was looking for full or part time, which location, and if I have the required certificates. They didn't ask about experience or anything like that, nor did they ask the usual screening questions a childcare business should ask. At the end of the call, I was offered the position and asked to come for training the following day. Like I get being desperate for staff and all, but I think they should have better security in place for their interview process. 

Working here was one of the most emotionally difficult jobs I’ve had. The organization’s mission and the kids are truly wonderful, and many frontline staff are kind, hardworking, and dedicated. Unfortunately, the internal culture made it extremely difficult to thrive.

There was a noticeable pattern of unprofessional behavior that created a stressful and unsupportive environment. HR concerns were often not addressed, and some staff felt that raising issues only made things harder. Leadership often appeared disconnected from what was happening day to day, and several talented team members left during my time there — not due to performance, but because of cultural and systemic challenges.

I want to stress that I loved the actual work and many of my coworkers were incredible. But real improvements are needed in communication, accountability, and internal support systems to create a healthier and more sustainable work environment.

If you’re considering working here, I’d recommend going in with open eyes. There is meaningful work to be done, but also real challenges that require strong leadership to overcome.

- staff turn around rate is horrendous, either getting fired without justificable cause by e-mail or letter, or quitting - very little proper supplies - no support for staff - they don’t follow their policies book, supposed to get verbal, written and possible suspension for issues and that NEVER happens, they just fire because as long as they pay you out they don’t need a reason then they send an e-mail to the staff illegally, lying about the firings because they seem to think no one else knows what’s going on - lice in the facility for 6 weeks, same child despite AHS regulations - extreme dishonesty and lying to licensing/staff - staff being outright told to lie to licensing - staff morale is non-existent to the point where 4 staff quit in a month period - facility was dirty and not cleaned properly - staff were afraid and stressed - out of ratio on a regular basis despite communication with management - kids hate most of the menu and then teachers get in trouble for parents getting mad about their kids being hungry - more concern for “looking” good than actually being a good place to work

Wee Wild Ones, a company bringing children closer to nature and their educators closer to ruin.

Staff retention is nonexistent, from the short time I worked there, there hasn't been an email without someone moving on. 

Owner is not really around, you see her once in a while,, bit she expects the world from her team, granted as bosses should BUT within reason.

Your coworkers are your rock, they are there to support you through it all.. leadership,, not so much.

The environment is very negative, people clearly don't like what/where they are, and you are always sick. How do you boost morale? deny raises, provide team lunches and give goodie bags from Costco.

You are underappreciated, underpaid and overworked. If you cause waves they want you gone. but they will continue to keep the employees that are gossipy, rude and impossible to work with.

The philosophy is beautiful, the team that runs the place, not so much. They need to take a good look at themselves and listen to the issues brought up to them instead of shrugging them off or blaming the employee. 

Watch who you trust, all and all, maybe look for a different place to work, because I wouldn't recommend here for anyone.

I worked at the Wee Wild Ones downtown location and found the families diverse and the management sincere. And while childcare jobs are always going to be challenging, the important thing is finding an organization with clearly thought out policies and consistent, mindful training programs. Wee Wild Ones has this. 

Each location is going to have a different culture and the downtown location has attracted lovely staff and they were easy to get along with and appreciated everyone's hard work. I felt that everyone was truly working on the same team.  I was new to the industry and having colleagues that were both helpful and caring meant a lot. 

The hardest part of any childcare position is going to be the level of physical exhaustion felt at the end of a workday and the financial restitution that doesn't seem to match it. This issue is industry wide and systemic. That being said, Wee Wild Ones has a base wage that is higher that many of its competitors, and while that doesn't mean much in an industry with government wage top-ups -  it does mean that paid days off/vacation etc, are potentially paid at a higher rate. 

I've worked at Wee Wild Ones since March 2020, and since working with them I noticed a significant improvement in the management team and their hard work and dedication for building up the organization and doing their best to support all team members. 

As a small business, they stand out above all early education centres in Calgary. They continue to go above and beyond to not only support the team members but also the littles ones in their care and their families. 

The way they promote themselves on social media is parallel with who they are as an organization. Wee Wild Ones has a balance of outdoor and indoor exploration, having the little ones spend 40 - 60% of their day outside depending on the weather. 

I take pride in working here and truly believe in their mission and vision within the early education field! 

For a company that claims to be inclusive, understanding, and supportive, you don't get to see any of that. When you bring concerns forward, you are met with condescension, passive aggressive comments, and gaslighting.  They want feedback, but they punish you if they don't like what they hear. Everything is under threat of being penalized or fired. The values the company stands for are fantastic and so they pull in the best employees, but nobody stays because they quickly realize how fake it all is. Turnover rate is INSANE, and translates into chaos in the classroom. The company has no idea how to retain staff. You meet excellent coworkers and you love the families you work for, but the company itself is doomed because of the people at the very top.

Poor management can be a significant source of dissatisfaction. If leadership is ineffective, lacks communication skills, or fails to support their team, it can create a toxic work environment. Micromanagement, unclear expectations, and lack of recognition can undermine employee morale and productivity. Also, A negative workplace culture can be demoralizing. If the culture is competitive rather than collaborative, or if it tolerates gossip, exclusion, or a lack of respect, it can make the work environment unpleasant. A culture that prioritizes profit over people often leads to burnout and high turnover.

The culture is very dramatic, toxic and gossip filled. Sadly the management team feels like mean girls, if you don't fit in your out. The most unpleasant, unprofessional, hypocritical management team I have ever worked with. That being said, an organization is a representation of the people who run it. They do not want your feedback. They don't want your questions. 

Nice facility, but I would never eat the food they cook onsite. Not as fresh as you think! Concept and philosophy are great, but they don't practice what the preach. 

Company grew too fast and not enough staff, policy and procedures put into place to support the growth. This is not fair to all the staff, children and parents. But that's okay because parents are nothing more than a monthly payment to this company. 



What is the best part of working at the company?
The teaching staff was nice and respectful unlike the HR, the management specially the director of the branch was rude & unprofessional. 

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
High turnover rate and frequent visits by HR  to fire the teaching staff without any logical reason.

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
The work environment is stressful and management is rude and doesnt support its educators.

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
I used to love spending time with the students.  Overall, the management and HR are mean people with zero professional working ethics.

Top Job Titles	Average salary
Early childhood teacher 7 salaries reported	$19.21 per hour
Éducateur de la petite enfance 2 salaries reported	$19.39 per hour
Commis à l'accueil 1 salary reported	$18.50 per hour
Property manager 2 salaries reported	$72,500 per year
Facilities manager 2 salaries reported	$20.50 per hour

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