How Tandem Matches Substitutes to Your Center’s Needs

Finding the right substitute in child care isn’t just about filling a gap — it’s about protecting your ratios, preserving your team’s energy, and delivering consistent care to families.

At Tandem, we believe substitute staffing should feel seamless, fast, and tailored — not like a gamble.

That’s why we’ve built a platform that matches centers with pre-vetted, qualified, and context-aware workers who are ready to step in with confidence.

Here’s how Tandem makes it happen.

Why Traditional Sub Lists Don’t Work Anymore

Most centers are still relying on outdated methods to manage last-minute needs:

• A paper list of subs (who may or may not be available)

• A flurry of early morning texts to staff

• Hoping someone from a staffing agency shows up on time — and with the right credentials

These methods are:

• Unreliable (you often don’t know if anyone is coming)

• Time-consuming (admins spend hours tracking down help)

• Risky (non-compliant staff in the classroom = licensing issues)

Tandem was designed to replace this chaos with clarity, helping centers respond to last-minute call-offs without scrambling.
(Learn more about preparing for last-minute needs in Planning for Absences: How to Stay Ready for the Unexpected.)

Workers Who Are Job-Ready — From the Start

Unlike traditional sub models, Tandem’s workers are fully cleared before they ever appear on your radar.

When you submit a request, you can trust:

• The worker has completed all required onboarding, background checks, and credential verification

• Their documents are on file and accessible

• No last-minute compliance chase or paperwork headaches are required on your end

In other words: Tandem handles all the prep work. You focus on your center — we’ll handle getting the right person ready to walk through the door.

(For more about streamlining credential management, see Compliance Made Easy: Automating Onboarding and Ongoing Tracking.)

How Tandem Matches the Best-Fit Worker to Your Center

The magic isn’t just that we find someone — it’s how we find the right someone.

Our platform uses a multi-layered data matching system that takes into account:

• Worker availability: We only show your request to subs who are open and active during your requested hours

• Credential match: We match based on classroom type, age group, and any additional qualifications (e.g. CDA, infant experience)

• Repeat usage: If a worker has subbed at your center before, we prioritize continuity — familiarity leads to smoother transitions

• Dependability scoring: We use in-app data to track each worker’s reliability, professionalism, and engagement over time — including center feedback and attendance behavior

• Travel distance: To ensure realistic arrival times and reduce late starts

This allows Tandem to make smart, context-aware decisions — not just surface-level matches.
You don’t just get someone “qualified on paper.” You get someone who fits.

When and How Centers Use Tandem

Some centers rely on Tandem daily. Others keep it in their back pocket for emergencies.
Here’s what we’ve seen work best:

• Emergency coverage: For same-day call-offs or no-shows

• Short-term support: For scheduled staff leave or vacations

• Ongoing flexibility: For centers that prefer not to overhire but want coverage when demand spikes

• Growth planning: To test new classrooms or enrollment expansions before making permanent hires

No matter how you use it, Tandem is designed to be simple: You post the need. We match it. Your classroom stays covered.

🧸 Crib Notes

Like Cliff Notes, but for child care:

• Tandem’s workers are fully cleared and job-ready — no compliance legwork required by your team.
• Matching is based on availability, credential fit, prior usage at your center, and reliability data.
• You get faster, smarter, and more consistent sub coverage without chasing people or paperwork.
• Use Tandem for daily needs, emergency support, or long-term growth planning — your call.