program supervisor

program director

assistant director

special needs advocate

cook

CHILD CARE

This company was super amazing to work for back in the days, when I mean back I would say about 10-15 years ago. But things have gotten to a point where this non for profit organization for what is should be has became a corporation. They no longer view the needs of the staff & families. An example, they have now forced full time childcare center staff to either take their vacation times where it would be inconvenient times of the year, or they tell them to get paid out for those times. I am a former staff of 10+ years and they have laid me off due to COVID funded issues. I am not the only ones at that. HR is the worse to communicate with, they either take 2- 5 days to reply back to you. When given a letter about the lay off. They played with words. Upon communicating with HR. After 10+ years they still dont treat you properly even though you have been loyal for them for that long. And then the company as a whole still need many more staff, even after laying people off, they want you to reapply internally for another position, as a way of saying they have given you a choice.

Management is another thing, it depends on who you get as a manager as there are more than 10-15 of them in the whole company, and these are only field mangers, what I mean by that is they manage infield staff the people who are the hard workers of the whole company. And then you also get the other managers who manage those managers its a whole chain. When you need support they lack in giving support to the staff, at times it takes almost a year of begging and more reports to send to get the needed support for those children that need it. They used to have amazing staff and management back in the days, where children can be children. 

For the families, PLASP used to have amazing things for children, and its not just because COVID happened that things have stop. No even before COVID I would say about 2-3 years before it all happened, during Camps the children would go to all these amazing trips at least once per week. Then the following  year, those trips turned into 2 trips within the 2 months of camp. Then the following year the infield staff were the ones who had to plan the trips (extra work for the staff, where was management team that were doing and setting camp). Then the 2 years before COVID hit there were no longer any trips for the CAMP season. So that would have meant that the children were stuck in the school and outside the whole day. Meaning more work for the infield staff to plan more things. While all the same the PARENTS are still paying the same if not more than before when they had trips offered. They even had hot meals for the children, then that also stopped.  Children back in the days were able to play on play grounds, but no longer. 

PLASP has too many restrictions to what you can use in program, what you cannot use and at times you were not told of this all before hand only until your manager leaves a voicemail saying so, thats what I meant by lack of communication. Then theres staff that are not all trained the same, like with sanitizing, one will say that they do it this way cause it was how we were trained and then another will say something else. Lack consistency.   

The only reason I stayed this long was the wonderful families and children that we had in our program other wise the turn around in PLASP is very fast within employment. PLASP is known as a stepping stone into the School Boards. 

They have even said from the higher ups that they would reduce paper work, but yet as years go by more and more paper have appeared. 

Another thing they have started are using tablets for attendance, that is a good thing. But for a person who was not trained to go into a school when I had no access to the attendance as it was only those staff that have email access, how was I suppose to use a tablet attendance when not trained for it, and if attendance was not done properly you would get a non compliance. Not organized at all.  

All these are not just my experience alone, but that of others I have worked with over the years. 

The staff, directors and supervisors are always very kind, inviting, comforting and welcoming. It is almost always a judgemental free area where everyone gets along and we learn to love each other. I absolutely love being with PLASP because it brings me home and helps me understand better about what I want to do with my life. Everything is always very organized and I never say that I don't want to go. Because I volunteer, I don't exactly know how the salaries and wages work. I believe myself to be quite adjustable and adaptable in various situations. I don't like how I can only go once a week because the moment I leave, I want to go back and when I'm there, I never want to leave. Being with the kids in the program help relieve any stress related to school or home or anything. They help me feel more alive and younger and I love being with them at the time. Even when they can be obnoxious and a little crazy, being with them are always the highlight of my week and I always look forward to being with them. From my first day, everyone brought be in and treated me as a part of the family and I immediately fell in love with all of them. They treat me with lots of warmth and comfort and makes the environment feel like my second home. They always make me feel like family and that always warms my heart and makes me feel more loved than ever. I guess it becomes difficult when the kids get into a fight or they are cranky and become very irritable over everything. It's hard to try and control them and it is also more difficult for me because I don't have very much experience with taking care of children. I have always loved kids and knew that I wanted to grow up and work in a place where I could be around them very often and I knew from a very young age that I want to become a mom more than anything. Volunteering with these kids at PLASP only helps increase those feelings and makes me even more eager to have my own children. Sometimes, the kids forget their  names and then call me the first comes to their minds and it makes me smile because they're so cute and full of life with enormous imaginations that I envy. Even though I had no prior experience, I was welcomed into this world with so much love and kindness that I can never forget. I learned to love the kids immediately as they threw themselves at me the moment we met.  They are so open and welcoming. The snacks/lunches are very creative, tasty while still being very healthy. Overall, I absolutely love being with PLASP and I plan on continuing to stay with them for a while.

- It is a very stressful environment.  Communication is confusing coming from leaders. Guidelines and protocols from leaders are followed and exercised based on convenience. Nothing consistent. Very frustrating.  
- You end up working beyond your required hours, putting in a lot of extra work with no extra compensation.
- The company boasts about being 'all inclusive' but it's far from the truth.
- The annual parent satisfaction survey percentage numbers seem fabricated.
- The previous leadership, 2010 and prior, were a lot more human in their approach. Very compassionate and honoured their staff.
- What is classified as a non-profit organization is currently being administered like a corporation, only pacifying the likes of outside influences that can provide financial provisions.
- The turnover rate and instability on the front line is very high.
Be forewarned: when you think you will have a steady position at a specific location, you will be pulled to various locations in a moment's notice and you cannot decline. It creates a very unsettled feeling because you never know what is coming your way.  
- Area managers are great but very stressed because executives put undo pressures on them. Executive leadership should be changed and replaced with more compassionate and kind personnel, especially being an organization that is non-profit and works with kids.
- The company has an authoritarian type leadership. If you do not comply with their demands, you are dispensable. Very sad for a non-profit organization. Very inhumane.
- Current COVID note: the organization made accommodation for unvaccinated staff by providing rapid COVID tests, and then removed the accommodation and all the unvaccinated staff two weeks afterward. The remaining staff are left in very difficult circumstances trying to run locations. Very, very sad and unjust. We thought it was stressful before, but the environment is exponentially worst now.


Worked there almost a decade. Directed multiple programs and camps. School were staff amazing, families and children were amazing. But the company head office really showed their bigotry and ignorance of the human rights and moral codes. 
Staff never really were never given support, basically it was deal with it rather than give extra resources. The company does not mind wasting money on their head office buildings and other non essential expenses. Trained staff are not really trusted to make a decision, however if something is wrong it's a staff person's fault. ie Ministry inspections. 
Pay is pretty good for the field, however again if they cut over head cost pay and sick benefits would be better. 
I loved the job, hated the company. 
Went in one morning, talked to Shrang about something very personal, then area manager went back to head office and within a few more hours I was let go. BTW the personal issue was nothing criminal/harmful/illegal.
I can still remember Leal asking to meet up with me at a mall and offering me a payout to leave. (what payout I am not allowed to share, but it was a good according to my lawyer)
So ya if you love kids, love working in a team environment (aka the other staff you may be on site with) that might allow you to over look the other side of that company. 


FYI the start and end that I must answer will not be correct

PLASP is great if you’re young and looking for a career later on in life then PLASP is a good stepping stone and looks good on your placement. However I would not recommend staying with PLASP for the rest of your life. They’re constantly hiring people but ALWAYS short staffed. No sense of consistency whatsoever. Each school does things differently. Some are extremely strict and therefore the kids are bored and complain, other schools are a lot more fun and easy going. There is way too much policies and paper work and you end up spending more time stressing yourself with that rather than playing with the kids. Sitting down is frowned upon for whatever reason. They expect you to get supplies through the money they give you but it sums up to nothing and then it’s also frowned upon when you go out of your way and purchase or bring in your own materials. They pay you for the bare minimum. If you’re in a big program and have to prep snack, you’re there Atleast half an hour earlier and almost never get out at the time you’re done. On top of that, whether you’re an ECE or not, you’re required to attend redundant training sessions that are UNPAID. Monthly meetings that just waste everyone’s time with things that can be said in an email. There’s no room for advancement with this company and very little support, resources and appreciation for what we do.

I spent 3 hours a week with my assigned group. A typical day for me was making sure the children have settled down and I began preparing their meal while my program director would take their attendance. After serving, I would prepare some outdoor activities for the children. These activities would the serve the propose of tiring the children, helping them release pent up energy. The next step would be some quieter, indoor activities and sometimes reading a story to the last couple of students left.

Spending those years with the children really taught me that penitence is key and easily being able to adjust to different situations without getting stressed. I learnt some organization and management skills as well. 

The workplace culture was very positive and children friendly. The children were the center of the organization and everything revolved around them. The organization wasn't formal or stiff, but quite comfortable and light. 

The hardest part of the job was a group of very noisy, angry, and irritated children. Those times were always the most difficult to deal with.

The most enjoyable was just the 3 hours I spent every week. There was always a buzz or thrill I felt when moving around with the kids and it just kept me going no matter how tired or stressed I was. The environment just had its own excitement, which was contagious.

Plasp use to be a fun place to work a few years ago. With several new upper management coming on board, I have experienced changes that have increased my stress level. Not only do they make changes that directly affect staff and by extention our families, they make these changes without even asking us for our opinion or input. Vacation time is one such thing. We are now "forced" to take vacation when they close the centers. Vacation in the summer very expensive, and our lives aren't centered around the times that they have forced us to be off work. Totally unfair to us.

I have worked for larger companies that do not do this so I don't understand why we cannot take time off throughout the year.  This job is stressful and in between time off is essential for our mental health and sick days aren't always enough to cover mental health days.

Additionally, we have no voice. It's a take it or leave it situation which is one reason why the turnover rate is so high now. You can't ignore the people who you rely on to show up daily. 

I loved worked here in the beginning but no so much anymore. Upper management have no idea what it is like being in the rooms with the kids so I guess they don't feel our pain.

Scope for advancement is very difficult too. 

On the plus side, there are some awesome staff and kids at this company who make going into work worthwhile.

I enjoy my work. Going to different schools give me the opportunity to learn a different style of teaching and handling the challenging behavior of kids. 
Sometimes it’s stressing me also because I have to pick the job from the system every day and I couldn't find a school nearby & have to travel to a far location. School staff and Office staff are very cooperative, helpful, and understanding.
Handling the challenging behavior of kids along with their challenging parents is also you can say art and this you cannot learn until you experience it. I have gone through this experience. It was hard but with the support of my area manager and colleague, I was able to establish control over the situation.
In any job the main character is the management, if you have all the confidence and support of management you can fulfill your all organizational duties and responsibilities. I feel I am with good organization.


I worked for PLASP for two years as a program supervisor. My main reason for working there was my love for children. I enjoyed every minute of it however I was really taken a back when I learned that the expectations PLASP has of their employees are very high and too much for a basic part time job. A lot of unpaid time is required. I worked 10 hours a week and put in about 15 hours of unpaid required time every two weeks. It's not worth it because if you calculate the high wage you get and the unpaid time you put in, it works out that pay wage is just above minimum wage. Also I had a great director for two years and when I moved schools the director was terrible and made my shift unbearable. Be prepared to know alot of Information on your own. They put a lot of responsibility on you regarding paperwork and that takes away from enjoying the kids. If you have a passion for children, you might be able to look past all the demands.

The most enjoyable part of my job is interacting with the kids.  Ive learned different ways to resolve problems with staff and with children.  The hardest part of my job is having control of what time the parents pick up the kids.
o	Establish and teach lessons; conceptualize inventive activities for children ranging from 4-12 years. 
o	Perform overall financial and operational tasks, including ensuring provincial and Plasp childcare center compliance.  
o	Oversee the administration of all childcare center operations while ensuring 100% compliance to all the provincial regulations.  
o	Oversee, supervise, and train childcare staff.
o	Market the program within the community to build recognition.
o	Preserve and uphold the programs mission to provide exceptional childcare and education quality.
o	Seamlessly coordinate internal and external child development services.

Top Job Titles	Average salary
Program supervisor 112 salaries reported	$22.13 per hour
Program director 168 salaries reported	$26.35 per hour
Assistant director 98 salaries reported	$24.16 per hour
Special needs advocate 42 salaries reported	$21.94 per hour
Cook 12 salaries reported	$26.52 per hour

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