Application Process
I initially applied for a position at Cradles to Crayons through Indeed, and the process was unusually fast. Within no time, I was contacted for an interview and was immediately asked to start working the following day--without any background checks or further screening. This quick turnaround seemed unprofessional, especially considering that background checks are a standard in childcare environments. Moreover, I only saw the director briefly during my interview and, once hired, barely saw her during my time working there. In fact, her presence was so minimal that many employees felt as though she was largely absent from the day-to-day operations.
When it came to training, there was none. Rather than providing proper onboarding, they simply threw me into a classroom with a hurried rundown of the rules and regulations. It was overwhelming, to say the least, and it felt as though I was expected to figure things out on my own. For a facility caring for young children, the lack of adequate preparation and orientation was extremely concerning.
Pay and Paycheck Issues
One of the most troubling aspects of working at Cradles to Crayons was the recurring issues with employee paychecks. Over the past year, many staff members, particularly morning and some afternoon workers, have experienced bounced checks on a regular basis.
The first serious incident occurred in March 2024, when morning staff members showed up expecting their pay, only to be sent home empty-handed. Afternoon staff, on the other hand, had to wait until closing to receive their checks, and even then, we were warned by the receptionist that we couldn't deposit them until the following Tuesday--or risk having them bounce. This was not a one-time issue, either. In June, we didn't receive our pay for the first two weeks, and management stalled until the next scheduled payday to release the overdue checks.
The pay schedule itself became a complete mess. We were originally told we'd be paid bi-weekly, but in June, they suddenly announced a change: going forward, we would be paid on the 15th and 30th of each month. But when the 30th came, they backtracked again, saying we were switching back to bi-weekly pay. Staff were left to expect pay for the last three weeks of work, but in a bizarre turn of events, the "payroll company" allegedly messed up, and we didn't receive our pay for the third week.
What's more frustrating is how all of this was handled--or rather, how it wasn't. Information was never communicated directly to us by the director or any official source. Instead, we learned what was going on from coworkers, or by having to ask around ourselves. The lack of transparency and communication only added to the stress. The final straw came when we were told that the following week we would finally get our missing checks--and when Friday rolled around, once again, no checks arrived. No announcement was made, and we were left in the dark. It became clear that if you didn't ask, you'd never know when or if you were getting paid.
As it stands now, employees are still waiting for checks, with no clear indication of when they will arrive. The unpredictability of the pay situation has caused a lot of frustration and uncertainty for everyone.
Staff-to-Child Ratios
One of the most concerning aspects of Cradles to Crayons is their disregard for the required teacher-to-child ratios. Each age group has a specific ratio mandated for safety and appropriate supervision, but this facility regularly ignores these standards. Staff members are frequently assigned to watch far more children than they should, creating an unsafe environment where it is impossible to adequately supervise and care for every child. Despite raising concerns, management doesn't seem to care, often telling staff to simply "quiet down" rather than addressing the core issue. read more
