early childhood teacher

assistant teacher

teacher

kitchen helper

general worker

Fueling Brains Academy

If I could describe working at Kids U in one sentence it would be "maximum effort for minimum pay".

I was offered a job at Kids U after doing a practicum placement there. I enjoyed my time at first, though it was hard getting started as there was no training, shadowing, or feedback and I was just thrown into a room on my own and had to figure it all out. This is something that is still currently happening, so just make a note of that if you are looking to apply.

At first, I worked as a float staff ($15.00/hr) which involved moving around all rooms covering breaks and sick teachers as needed. It is a hard job as you must remember how all 7 different classrooms work and their schedules and get to know 100+ children and their needs. This sometimes also involved serving lunch and doing dishes, (which wasn't in the job description). I found it very hard to move forward in the company as a float teacher, if you want a new position you need to apply for and interview for it (even if you have been covering for that position and doing all the work and duties for multiple months), and even then, it is not a guarantee. It got a bit better when I got an assistant teacher position as it meant a consistent classroom, but it just meant a lot more work for a dollar raise.

A typical day at Kids U is very stressful as the children transition a LOT between rooms and Kids U tries to cram as many kids as possible in one class (we were allowed 24 infants in one room, 25 toddlers, 44 preschoolers, etc). The duties for teachers seem endless and there is no time to do them on top of taking care of the children (a lot of my co-teachers would have to do it after hours or on break as we got no planning time. Usually unpaid, of course). You are expected to take pictures of the children, write a brightwheel post to send to parents about the day, do 5 separate cleaning checklists, clean the classroom, do planning for the week or day, and for infants and toddlers update every meal, diaper change, and nap. We also did report cards twice a year, and documentation was expected to be done frequently. This is all on top of taking care of the children with the bare minimum staff as Kids U is perpetually understaffed. Adding to the challenge of that, there are a few children with behavioral challenges or disabilities who a lot of the time do not have the proper supports in place to support them. It is a lot of work for teachers and makes the job unsafe at times (with respects to proper supervision and ratios). To add to that, Kids U seems to have an uncharacteristically high turnover rate. I am convinced Kids U is just trying to fill the minimum teacher ratios with whoever applies as over half the staff I met while there had no business being in childcare. That makes it hard to provide a high-quality environment when people are just looking for a cheque and have no actual determination to contribute to their education. On the other hand, I was lucky enough to have an amazing room partner which made coming to work wonderful and exciting, but this isn’t a guarantee for everybody.

Every 6 weeks teachers are expected to do their "Heart Metric" assessments which involve assessing the children to figure out how their executive functions are developing. I never saw the point of this, and only met 1 teacher out of all the 8 campuses who liked it, and no parents (I found it always confusing for parents and a lot of them are confused or offended at the assessments. I'd agree with them). Fueling Brains is Kids U's "innovative" feature and selling point for the future of childcare and what educators and parents should be focusing on for well-rounded kids (we had to do an 18 hour training about this. It involved how to use the website and how to "Sell the product". Not kidding). It is a tedious process and I always found it irrelevant when compared to ASQ’s, which are relevant outside of Kids U and you don’t need to convince parents to like them.

My biggest complain about Kids U involves the management. They are so out of touch with what is actually happening and needed in the campuses it is insulting. Some of the higher up head office staff are living in Pakistan which leads to the disconnect, but I think some of the Program Supervisors and management team in Calgary have completely been blinded by profits and selling Kids U to parents they have lost touch with what childcare truly means, and what their staff need. 

The highlight of my time as Kids U was being able to help children grow and work alongside a wonderful partner, but that was unfortunately not enough to overlook the terrible management, low pay, high expectations, and clashing beliefs in what quality childcare should strive to be.



Working at Kids U/ Fueling Brains Academy Canada has been a challenging experience for me, despite my initial enthusiasm and dedication to experience personal growth and positively impact the organization. Unfortunately, I observed a significant disconnect between upper management and the employees at the campus level throughout my time there. The lack of appropriate leadership skills and a self-centered mindset among many in upper management has hindered the company's success and employee satisfaction.

One of the most concerning issues was the absence of accountability for upper management. The disconnect and lack of understanding for campus-level operations were evident, as employees continuously faced challenges without adequate support. The workload placed on campus supervisors was overwhelming, often requiring them to work long hours without compensation for overtime. Additionally, promised bonuses outlined in contracts were not fulfilled, contributing to a sense of unfulfilled promises and dissatisfaction.

Not only was the turnover rate alarmingly high, but the lack of support from upper management also perpetuated a broken system that failed to meet expectations. The company's inability to embrace different perspectives, suggestions, and honest feedback with respect and openness was disheartening. Moreover, it was extremely challenging for staff to effectively communicate with Human Resources and Payroll teams, creating further frustration and disconnect within the organization.

Furthermore, the unprofessional manner in which upper management shared news about personnel changes and the prevalence of gossip and disrespect in daily interactions created a toxic working environment. It was disheartening to witness such behavior, as it directly impacted employee morale and overall job satisfaction.

Compensation disparities were also a concern, with long-serving teachers receiving minimal pay increases compared to newly hired staff with less experience. Additionally, campus supervisors, who carried significant responsibilities in managing entire campuses, were underpaid compared to some teachers. This pay discrepancy further contributed to employee dissatisfaction and a sense of undervaluation.

It is deeply regrettable that a company with such a tremendous vision for positively shaping children's experiences falls short in its operational practices. The rapid growth of the company without proper support structures in place has exacerbated these issues. Meaningful changes in upper management, including mindset shifts, are necessary to create a functional workplace and an effective educational organization.

Although unlikely, I hope that my feedback can contribute to the company's self-reflection and improvement efforts. It is my sincere hope that they address these concerns promptly, as the well-being of both employees and the children under their care should be paramount.

For the first two month we didn't have many children so we completed tasks more akin to household chores. The programs that Building Brains wants to offer, such and the Reggio and Montessori concepts, are loosely represented but the lack of staff, resources and guidance from management makes this a far-fetched dream for the near future. The Pre-School management is laughably both overbearing and completely inadequate. If the supervisor doesn't agree with your methods then it's within her power to terminate you with little to no cause at the end of your probationary period. I worked for Building Brains from August to November. At the end of my probationary period my supervisor pulled me into a meeting at the end of my shift and told me I had be terminated for a "handful" or reasons. When prompted to explain she said: "Cellphone use, lateness and language with the children". I asked for examples and she gave none. I had been asked to refrain from cellphone use a total of 4 times over my time with Building Brains and two of those times were because I needed to use my phone's clock because they hadn't installed clicks into the facility yet but expected us to follow a schedule. The other times were to research activities and one time where I was using a snapchat filter to make funny faces with the kids for a drawing activity. Each time my supervisor dismissed my explanation. The lateness was 4-5 instances where I was 2-5 minutes late with two of those instances communicated beforehand. The last "reason" was later explained as "abruptness" with children. This was humorous because all the children loved me and my fellow staff supported my assertive and authoritative yet kind and thoughtful tone with children. I endured that there children not only knew what boundaries existed but had an explanation af to why those boundaries existed. 
Regardless of the lack of substance of the accusations against me, the main issue with the Building Brains method is that there was no formal meeting to discuss these issues ahead of time to allow me to address the issues and find a way to fix them. Overall I would not recommend Building Brains to any serious educators due to its lack of direction and mismanaged programming

The biggest challenge of this company is the fact that it is not a daycare, it is an early learning educational facility which often gets mistaken as just another daycare.

YES the standards are very high, but they should be if we are to truly to be doing what we ought to be doing, which is creating a better future in the hands of fully capable individuals.

This Company started from humble beginnings, and has been through the ringer at times with staff and management who only want to show up, get a paycheck, and go home. It is an underpaid job for sure, and there are times and days where that feels like the heaviest blow. However the company has taken big steps in being open and authentic with their staff at all stages and is genuinely trying to be competitive and pay us as we should be paid. This company is getting better and better each day and it gives me great hope for truly building this better future that the company wants to create.

The culture only suffers at the hands of those not truly committed, but when every member is on the same page and for the right reasons the campuses become something to behold. I can only speak for the campus I have attended but the management enabled a toxic culture and environment which tipped the scales in work place conditions for most of us. I have great hope, with this new management, that things are getting better.

If you truly are passionate about teaching young children, and want to work for a company that supports you in ways no other company can with resources, coaching, and research based curriculum, than Fueling Brains Academy is for you. 
I can only speak from my perspective, but there was a large number of previous staff who were coasting by with no real interest in proper education who became so emotionally invested in hating the campus and company that they deliberately went about giving bad reviews and low ratings anywhere they could, including here. Please don't let those reviews disuade you from making a difference in this world.

What is the best part of working at the company?
My experience at this workplace was disappointing. Employees were frequently expected to work extended hours without clear overtime compensation. The work environment often felt unhealthy due to inconsistent communication and perceived favoritism. In my experience, recognition was often tied more to self-promotion than to consistent performance, which made it discouraging for employees who focused on their work rather than visibility. Advancement and acknowledgment did not always appear to be based on merit. The layoff process was abrupt and lacked transparency, making the situation more difficult. I would not recommend this workplace unless there are meaningful improvements in leadership practices, fairness, and employee treatment.

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
The most stressful part was the imbalance in workload and role expectations. I was often expected to take on responsibilities beyond my position, including tasks typically assigned to more senior staff, without clear support or adjustment in compensation. This created ongoing pressure and unclear boundaries around responsibilities.

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
The work environment often felt tense and negative. Communication was inconsistent, and morale appeared low across teams. Collaboration was limited, and the overall atmosphere did not feel supportive.

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
A typical day involved managing a high workload with shifting priorities and limited support. Expectations were often unclear, and I was frequently balancing responsibilities beyond my role. The pace and pressure made it difficult to maintain a healthy work-life balance.

A typical day at work:
A typical day was extremely fast-paced and often lacked structure or preparation. Planning was usually done on the same day while children were already present, which made it difficult to provide quality care and meaningful engagement. Staff were expected to move quickly between children with very limited time for individual attention.

What I learned:
I learned how to work under pressure and manage stressful situations with limited support. It strengthened my patience, resilience, and ability to adapt quickly in challenging environments.

Management:
Management was largely focused on maintaining numbers and daily operations, with limited attention to staff wellbeing or the quality of care being provided. Staff concerns were not always addressed, and there was a lack of proactive planning and support.

Workplace culture:
The workplace culture was stressful and often overwhelming. Staff were expected to handle a heavy workload with minimal support. It did not feel like an environment that prioritized the wellbeing of staff or created the best conditions for children to thrive.

The hardest part of the job:
The hardest part was trying to provide proper care and attention to each child while working in a high-pressure, understaffed, and unstructured environment. It was challenging to meet professional standards without the necessary support and preparation.

The most enjoyable part of the job:
The most enjoyable part was the children. Building relationships with them and supporting their growth was meaningful and rewarding, and it reinforced my passion for working in childcare despite the challenges of the workplace.

I have been working for Kids U for almost 2 years now, as a staff member on the administrative side of center operations. Kids U's approach to teaching is what brought me to the Center as a parent, but I joined the Team after learning about the philosophy in each learning environment and saw first hand, the amazing benefits of the program! If you are passionate about teaching children and encouraging life-long learning, Kids U is the place for you!

Because of the high demands of the job and the specific and structured programming we offer children and families, Kids U is not always the right fit for everyone. I see many negative reviews here, but also feel like many people take on a classroom position with us with the expectations of a daycare. KIDS U IS NOT A DAY CARE! And when one comes in with a day care approach, they are quickly overwhelmed by the expectations of the Center/classrooms.

As with any expanding company, Kids U did experienced some growing pains. I have seen and experienced a huge difference within the company within the last 6-8 months. Issues we were facing in regards to payroll, communication, management etc. have greatly improved and the support structure that has been implemented since the new school year have made a huge difference. 

I am so thankful that my son was able to benefit from this program and that I am able to go to work each day and make an impact on young minds!

I have been a team member of this company for 5 years. I have seen the ups and downs of the company( which every company has) and how it evolved into a progressive and dynamic workplace. The CEOs and the current manager are so amazing. The culture is very diverse but everyone is treated with respect and acceptance. The owners and upper management are providing training to the employees to easily adapt to the Professional Culture of the company. The management is not perfect I should say, but the owners are generous and kind-hearted in terms of providing a happy and pleasant work environment to the staff. The newly developed Core Values of the company give me assurance and confidence to the company. I have grown and developed myself professionally and personally as the company gave me a lot of windows to progress and opportunities to enhance my skills. They send qualified people for a conference abroad and all expenses are paid by the company. The challenging part of the job is to get qualified and the right people to run the programs as this company has a very unique curriculum and unique programs in the city. 
I highly recommend this company for those who are seeking for Professional growth, and job security. This is a workplace where different cultures and diversity of staff are acclimated and respected.

I have been working with KidsU for a while I have worked actually at a few locations. I would say that this company has its ups and downs as every childcare facility. I have looked at many childcare spaces throughout the city and not many level up to the amazing facilities I have ever seen. Their are many childcare facilities out in Calgary that shouldn’t even be open. KidsU has always been able to keep up with many educational and leaderships theoughout each campus. I believe in change and adaptability. Childcare is a very hard job for anyone. That’s why they see the opportunities and education that is around Alberta or teachers who are qualified and suites the best of each facility. I therefore have never trusted, and seen a childcare facility grow so well. The lead teachers who have came so far are able to lead each other and support one another if they are willing to communicate and give each other ideas in a daily or weekly check ups. This way it keeps us all on the same page. I have my children in this facility as well working as a team member. I have never felt so engaged and proud to say I work for KidsU. The children come first always, the parents come second and each centre has a team to make your children feel safe, secure and fully structured with many educational and amazing staff. Not a lot of childcare facilities have this nor would I ever feel safe the way that I do leaving my children.

This is the worst run company I have ever encountered. Management and higher company executives never visit, and when they do it's very quick. Company is only in it for the money, the tuition is an arm and a leg and the money barley goes towards budgets. Summer programs don't get a budget, they have to use left over from the school year if there is any. Budgets are small already. I've seen the chefs buy ingredients out of their own pocket because campus ran out. Milk for the kids to drink runs out on the last few days of the week. Materials are old, broken and dont rotate like they should. Books, chairs, gates, fences and toys are broken. There are fenced outdoor spaces but they dont tell you that when one class is using the fenced area, the other is playing in the open and unfenced area beside the park. Not to mention that half of the fence is falling down and has holes in it. The staff is constantly changing, seeming to me the company is hiring underqualified cold staff. I've seen staff sit in a corner and call it supervising, and ignore crying children or leave them to cry as a punishment.  Part time employees are supposed to get benifits but they make up excuses and reasons not to give it to you. They have constant problems with top up. We I haven't gotten mine for a while. Do not work here or send your kids here.

Top Job Titles	Average salary
Early childhood teacher 8 salaries reported	$25.44 per hour
Assistant teacher 59 salaries reported	$17.03 per hour
Teacher 58 salaries reported	$15.92 per hour
Kitchen helper 17 salaries reported	$15.38 per hour
General worker 8 salaries reported	$17.00 per hour

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