Imagination Station

So I worked here for a very brief period. With that being said in the short time I worked here I was able to work in many different rooms with children of all ages and really get a grasp for how this business was run. I was placed with infants all the way up to children 3 years of age.
Alaska has a pretty thick law book for childcare providers and Imagination Station handed me a rule book before I even started and told me to begin memorizing it. They follow each and every rule to the T. And I mean, you’re in trouble if you can’t follow directions and want to work here. They expect the strictest performance from their employees. Diapers are changed regularly– no excuses. Children are fed appropriately meal sizes and food that is considered healthy and well-​balanced according to the FDA. Everything is kept clean; ridiculously clean. No child is ever left unattended– ever. There even has to be a supervisor next to the swing set at all times.
This place is a bit small and admittedly unorganized. When I walked in for my interview I was a little thrown aback by the stacks of toys, kids clothes, blankets, and dishes organized around the establishment. They don’t have quite enough room for everything they have to carry (and, I mean, they have 200 kids– so they have to have a lot of stuff). With that being said, after just a short period working here I quickly realized that all of the things actually had a rhyme and reason to them and all of the staff knew where to find specific items.
The kids are very well-​loved here. Health and education are a huge focus and safety laws are followed without exception. The only complaint I have is the fact that they pay their employees minimum wage. The employees that work here are hardworking and dedicated and deserve much more than a mere $ 9.50 an hour. They seem to have issues keeping people working here, and I think that’s largely because it’s impossible to afford to work here unless you are working a second job (I was) or have someone else in the household sharing expenses.
With that being said, I cannot downgrade a business a star for what they pay their employees. I have to rate this business on the performance of the employees and the overall efforts of the establishment. I truly have no complaints. The kids are very well-​loved here. The childcare is affordable and there’s a good reason the waiting list is so long. I cannot more highly recommend this daycare if you’re searching for an affordable, devoted place to watch your children during the day.