Vantaggi
Competitive pay, somewhat flexible hours, opportunity for overtime, meaningful work, able to go on field trips and outings with kids. It was really good work when the day went smoothly and I felt like I was making a difference in a kid's life just by being there for them, making them a PB&J, teaching them how to take care of themself, pick them up from school, etc. If you like kids and enjoy playing with them, and working with them then it can be nice.
Svantaggi
Understaffed, toxic work environment, lack of leadership, extremely stressful environment with no support from management. I worked the developmental cottage and would be left alone with no other staff with 6 or more high level needs kids with ASD, ODD, ADHD, etc. and would have kids eloping, hitting, biting, fighting, screaming, etc. The kids can be very difficult to work with due to behavioral problems and trauma and lack of consequences from adults and staff.