Little Zak's Academy
Write a review
    Little Zak's Academy
    (65 reviews)
    Write a review
    Write a review

    Company Reviews

    Working at Little Zak's Academy

    3.565 ratings in total
    5
    36
    4
    4
    3
    1
    2
    6
    1
    18
    83%
    Rate salary as high or average
    60%
    Employees recommend this employer to friends
    Work/Life balance
    3.4(64 ratings)
    Career development
    3.5(64 ratings)
    Benefits & perks
    3.3(64 ratings)
    Management
    3.4(63 ratings)
    Working environment
    3.6(64 ratings)
    Diversity & equal opportunity
    3.5(64 ratings)
    Ratings for Little Zak's Academy are shared as-is from employees in line with our community guidelines

    Reviews

    Showing 65 reviews sorted by most recent
    Sort by
    most recent
    1.0
    Certificate III Educator
    Apr 2026
    Nulkaba NSW 23251 to 2 years in the role, former employee
    Horrible experience couldn't pay me enough to work there ever again.
    The good thingsEnjoyed working with some of the children and with some of the families.
    The challengesThere is nothing good about working for Little Zak's. Very toxic workplace environment, no support for educators especially working with children with challenging behaviours. Despite paying high fees, not enough food to feed the children. Lack of supervision by educators. Lack of support from Director and Head Office.
    1 person found this helpful
    5.0
    Room Leader/ Educational Leader
    Apr 2026
    Sydney NSW 2000Less than 1 year in the role, current employee
    "An Easy, Supportive and Welcoming Beginning"
    The good things"Although I've only recently joined Little Zak's Academy from NZ, my experience so far has been extremely positive. The recruitment process was smooth, welcoming, and well-communicated. The team made me feel comfortable from the beginning, and the induction process has been clear, supportive, and well-structured. It is evident that the organisation values its people and fosters a friendly, inclusive culture."
    The challengesNothing that improve at this stage.
    2.0
    Chef
    Mar 2026
    Shellharbour NSW 25291 to 2 years in the role, former employee
    overall average experience with decent work life balance .
    The good thingsweekend off, start early and finish up early.
    The challengesThere are around 130 kids come everyday and as a chef u are the only one to do all ur jobs in the kitchen, cooking, washing, prepping, cleaning but still hard to satisfy upper management.
    1.0
    Educator
    Feb 2026
    Sydney NSW 2000Less than 1 year in the role, former employee
    Only care about money not the children.
    The good thingsSome of the staff were good to work with.
    The challengesNo resources management expects staff to buy resources for children. No support for children with challenging behaviours or additional needs. Too many children in each class with minimal staff. Management have unrealistic expectations that are impossible with few staff. Management only focus on what you do wrong and never on what you do well.
    1 person found this helpful
    1.0
    Childcare Worker
    Feb 2026
    Adelaide SA 5000Less than 1 year in the role, former employee
    Poor resources and leadership.
    The good thingsThe hours and coworkers.
    The challengesManangement and lack of transparency regarding policy, employee benefits and expectations in the role. Do not expect any support.
    1 person found this helpful
    5.0
    Room leader
    Aug 2025
    Adamstown NSW 22891 to 2 years in the role, current employee
    Great supportive company
    The good thingsGreat supportive team, that all work together. Management is supportive of career growth and allowed me to progresse into a leadership role.
    The challengesLarge service so sometimes feel disconnected from children down other end of service however we are given the opportunity to work in all age groups
    1.0
    Educator
    Aug 2025
    Kurri Kurri NSW 23272 to 3 years in the role, former employee
    Eventful. I would not recommend. Department need to seriously look at how the centre is getting run.
    The good thingsThe children and some of the other educators
    The challengesThe upper management, they don’t care about your mental health or any worker in general. While working there overheard upper management just stating it’s a business. That’s meant to be a place of care for children. They don’t care about their staff at all. No resources, upper management only ever bring up what you are doing wrong and never telling where we are going right or even all the hard work educators put into that centre.
    5 people found this helpful
    2.0
    Lead Educator
    Jul 2025
    Mount Hutton NSW 2290Less than 1 year in the role, former employee
    Reconsider your application
    The good thingsThe children, families, and staff at the service.
    The challengesUnsupportive upper management, who consistently ignored requests from educators and centre director. Upper management consistently label things a ‘breach’ but couldn’t show the related legislation or policy. Scare tactics used on staff by upper management.
    3 people found this helpful
    1.0
    Educator (room leader)
    Jun 2025
    The Oaks NSW 2570Less than 1 year in the role, former employee
    Terrible working conditions and environment
    The good thingsThe children and the families. The beautiful connection and friendship built with families and children
    The challengesThe way the centre was run and the way in which they treated their employees and the terrible working environment and conditions
    2 people found this helpful
    5.0
    Talent Acquisition Specialist
    Jun 2025
    Ryde NSW 21121 to 2 years in the role, current employee
    Supportive Team, Meaningful Work, and a Company That Keeps ImprovingLittle Zak’s Academy is a values-driven organisation that puts children and families at the centre of everything. It is a fast-moving environment with high expectations, but the work is meaningful and the people are passionate. The company has grown quickly over the last few years, and it has been great to be part of that journey.
    2.0
    Certificate III Educator
    Jun 2025
    Narellan Vale NSW 2567Less than 1 year in the role, former employee
    never again save your mental health
    The good thingssome staff were nice
    The challengesa micro management nightmare. no programming times, rules not followed low resources in rooms not payed for meeting that were expected weekly
    1 person found this helpful
    1.0
    Room Leader
    Jun 2025
    Narellan NSW 25673 to 4 years in the role, former employee
    Think twice before putting applying!
    The good thingsThe only thing that made me get up in the mornings and go to work was seeing the children’s faces and seeing the families.
    The challengesThey DO NOT go by the books, the Nominated Supervisor speaks horrible to the staff, staff meetings you get paid, but more than an hour you don’t get paid but still required to stay back. They don’t have enough resources for the children, They do not communicate well with their staff!
    1 person found this helpful
    1.0
    Room Leader
    May 2025
    Carey Bay NSW 2283Less than 1 year in the role, former employee
    Only care about money
    The good thingsSome staff were nice
    The challengesRude and unsupportive management, expected to stay back every single day, no time off the floor to complete programming, programming expected to complete over your weekends, unrealistic expectations, don’t care about children with too many kids in one room only care about $$$$. Constantly burnt out
    1 person found this helpful
    1.0
    Educator
    May 2025
    Kiama NSW 2533Less than 1 year in the role, former employee
    Just do not do it to yourself it’s not worth the stress and mental health issues it causes
    The good thingsNot applicable The poor families I left behind The few staff who trauma bonded that were actually nice
    The challengesUnsupported by management Mistreated by management Higher ups sweep the b u l l y I n g culture under the rug and loose the actually good and caring staff
    2 people found this helpful
    1.0
    Certificate III Educator
    Apr 2025
    Adamstown NSW 2289Less than 1 year in the role, former employee
    Do not recommend working here
    The good thingsLovely families, modern building
    The challengesPoor Management, constant overtime, minimal resources for children toy rotation stayed the same the whole time I was there with no resources available, poor allergy management witnessed diet restricted children being given crackers for lunch instead of a meal. Poor portion sizes for children’s meals
    1 person found this helpful
    4.0
    Room Assistant
    Mar 2025
    Adamstown NSW 22891 to 2 years in the role, former employee
    Room assistant unable to progress
    The good thingsThe team was amazing, the centre had a nice atmosphere for families. The events were amazing.
    The challengesHaving to pay for resources from our own money, lack of communication from head office. The horrible budgets we received, the lack of career progression despite rich saying that he wants his educators to progress within little Zak’s. Having to chasing money that is owed to me for over a month now.
    2 people found this helpful
    1.0
    Early Childhood Teacher
    Feb 2025
    Sydney NSW 20001 to 2 years in the role, former employee
    Cannot advise people strongly enough to stay away!
    The good thingsPay was above award, but you will be expected to dedicate your entire waking life and work unlimited OT for this wage.
    The challengesManagement care only about money. Little Zak’s is everything that is wrong with the for profit sector. Directors come and go as they quickly burn out and are spending all of their time plugging holes which are caused by systematic mismanagement of the services, and the resulting culture is unstable.
    2 people found this helpful
    1.0
    Educator
    Jan 2025
    Plumpton NSW 27611 to 2 years in the role, current employee
    Worst experience in in my entire working history..
    The good thingsNothing other than salary getting paid on time
    The challengesToxic management ..No respect for employees at all. Educators are treated as slaves. They have to do cleaning,Cooking and everything..If you don’t call them in advance,you will not get paid for your sick leave..Most of the basic things such as wipes,snacks are out of stock for many days. Only place without even having a Christmas party or a single present for workers.
    3 people found this helpful
    2.0
    Educator
    Sep 2023
    Nulkaba NSW 2325Less than 1 year in the role, former employee
    Never again.
    The good thingsThe team within the centre. The educators are all fantastic people and care about the environment they are leading.
    The challenges“Support office”- Absolutely no support from anyone higher than the Centre Director. They believe that ‘training’ is sufficient enough as offering a supportive working environment. Educators voices are unheard and all that is focused on is child enrolments and $$$
    1 person found this helpful
    5.0
    Early Childhood Teacher Qualified
    Sep 2023
    Carey Bay NSW 2283Less than 1 year in the role, current employee
    So far 6 months I’m so glad I work for LZ, I’m looked after. LZ go above and beyond.
    The good thingsThe LZ are amazing looking after educators and families.
    The challengesComing to work everyday is amazing, always looking for new ideas and opportunities.
    1.0
    Diploma Qualified Room Leader
    Jan 2023
    Less than 1 year in the role, former employee
    Horrible, from management, no support, no overtime or meetings paid for and no programming time.
    The good thingsFamilies and children
    The challengesManagement, no support. No idea about childcare, only interested in getting more enrolments and money.
    2 people found this helpful
    1.0
    Nominated Supervisor
    Nov 2022
    5 to 6 years in the role, former employee
    Lost its “family” value
    The good thingsStarted off with good solid values - the “family” owned lost its way and it became more about the money
    The challengesLack of support, low pay, overworked.
    1 person found this helpful
    4.0
    Recruitment Consultant
    Dec 2021
    Less than 1 year in the role, current employee
    Great family feel company, growing across Sydney and opening new sites. Really value finding quality educators and management teams.
    The good thingsGreat positive team to work with. Constant reflection and improved practice
    The challengesNew systems and processes taking time to implement.
    5.0
    Childcare Assistant
    Jan 2021
    1 to 2 years in the role, former employee
    My experience working at Little Zaks has been amazing and love waking up to go to work everyday.
    The good thingsGood people to work with and loves to be around the kids.
    The challengesNo Challenges- everything is an absolute breeze.
    1.0
    Room leader
    Nov 2020
    1 to 2 years in the role, former employee
    Little Zak’s has turned me off working in childcare
    The good thingsFriendly co workers and I made some amazing friendships with the ladies I worked with
    The challengesManagement wasn’t very nice to any staff and often criticised rather than helped
    2 people found this helpful
    5.0
    Room Leader
    Nov 2019
    Less than 1 year in the role, current employee
    Great
    The good thingsThe more you put in, the more you get out.
    The challengesBeing childcare, just the normal challenges
    4.0
    Assistant Educator
    Jul 2019
    1 to 2 years in the role, former employee
    Great year and a bit.
    The good thingsPersonal connections with families
    The challengesThe need for more hours in each day to get everything done.
    5.0
    Director
    Jul 2019
    5 to 6 years in the role, current employee
    My experience has been a gift and I am proud to say I have worked for such company! Not a bad word, there were always there to assist and help any way possible.
    The good thingsThe owners take care of all staff as well as make sure they can do anything for all parents to be happy. Very big on safety checks as well as health and hygiene! I love how supportive they really are and manage this company close to the heart. There very generous when it comes to education and new ideas!
    The challengesDealing with a large diversity of different families however when they settle in they always tend to relax a little more. Child care is meant to be fun!
    1 person found this helpful
    4.0
    Trainee Educator
    Jun 2019
    1 to 2 years in the role, former employee
    Was a great place to learn.
    The good thingsStaff were all amazing and supportive of each other. We became very close and would always be there for each other whether it was wok related or not.
    The challengesManagement would often put more stress on us though paperwork and changing routines and things around which was hard to work around. Not getting time off the floor to get things done. Not a lot of resources.
    5.0
    Room Assistant
    Jun 2019
    1 to 2 years in the role, former employee
    A great place to work, and the best centre I've worked in.
    The good thingsThe staff work well together, it feels like one big family. The company really cares about the families enrolled and Management look after their staff.
    The challengesOccasionally would run out of resources due to lack of money, so the staff would buy things themselves for the centre.
    Company Reviews published on our site are the views and opinions of their authors and do not represent the views and opinions of SEEK or its personnel. SEEK does not verify the truth or accuracy of any reviews and does not adopt or endorse any of the comments posted. SEEK posts reviews for what they are worth and for informational purposes only to assist candidates to find employment.
    Reviews by location
    All Adelaide SAAll Sydney NSWNewcastle, Maitland & Hunter NSWWollongong, Illawarra & South Coast NSW