How the YMCA Benefits from Tandem’s Staffing Solution: A Conversation with Carla, Child Care Director

At Tandem, we’re proud to support child care centers in maintaining high standards for staff consistency and quality. Recently, we spoke with Carla, a director at the YMCA in Columbus, Ohio, about her experience using Tandem to fill staffing gaps, manage call-offs, and improve classroom support. Here’s how Tandem is making a difference in her center.

Filling Gaps Without Disrupting the Day

Carla first heard about Tandem through her supervisor. Her center uses Tandem to fill in for last-minute call-offs and planned absences, where having access to a pool of qualified, reliable substitutes has proven invaluable. Before using Tandem, the YMCA team often had to rely on sharing staff from other YMCA branches. While helpful, this wasn’t always ideal, as moving staff around created strain on other locations and took time to coordinate. By using Tandem, Carla can avoid burnout among her administrators, who previously had to step in to cover rooms or spend valuable time arranging last-minute solutions.

“Tandem is nice in that it can cover our entire scheduling needs,” Carla explained. “With consistent subs, we don’t have to move kids around, which hugely benefits the quality of care we provide.”

A Stress-Free Solution That Works When Needed

One of the biggest benefits Carla’s center has seen is the reduction in daily stress and frustration. With Tandem, when call-offs happen, Carla can post the need quickly, and the solution is handled. This has relieved pressure on the administrative team, allowing them to focus on other vital responsibilities, like licensing, family communication, and ensuring overall quality.

“Call-offs are annoying,” Carla said, “but when you have a solution, you aren’t as frustrated. I post on Tandem, and it’s solved. Huge stress relief.”

Reliable, High-Quality Substitutes

Before switching to Tandem, Carla’s center had tried using other staffing agencies like CCC, but they faced challenges, including frequent cancellations, high costs, and inconsistent staff quality. In contrast, Tandem has provided Carla with well-trained, reliable substitutes who know how to follow the lead teacher’s guidance and meet licensing requirements.

“Tandem staff know what’s expected, come well-trained, follow the teacher’s lead, and understand licensing,” she shared. “The first worker who came in was well-trained and stepped right in, ready to go.”

In addition to providing trained staff, Tandem’s consistent communication and user-friendly platform have made staffing seamless. Carla uses Tandem’s digital tools to manage shifts, send alerts, and coordinate details. With alerts sent to both her phone and computer, she can handle her staffing needs easily, even during a busy day.

Consistency and Familiarity for Staff and Kids

Having reliable, familiar staff in the classroom every day benefits everyone involved — especially the children. By requesting preferred workers on Tandem, Carla ensures her team and the children get to see familiar faces, even when regular staff members aren’t available.

“Preferred workers take initiative, interact with the kids, and support the lead teacher,” Carla noted. “Being able to rate workers and mark them as preferred has alleviated so much stress for our staff.”

A Cost-Effective Staffing Solution

One major advantage Carla highlighted is the cost savings Tandem brings to her center. Tandem charges and pays rates comparable to the assistant teachers’ usual pay, which keeps staffing expenses manageable. Carla dreams of even more possibilities, such as eventually using Tandem for hiring permanent staff.

With Tandem’s all-digital platform, Carla has found it easy to pull up documents and reports whenever needed for licensing and administrative purposes. She shares that having a dependable, high-quality staffing solution has lifted a huge weight from her center, helping her focus on what matters most: providing a safe, nurturing environment for the children.

“Tandem has been a huge relief for us,” Carla says. “When we get a well-trained sub who understands our needs, we know the kids are getting the quality of care they deserve.”

With Tandem, the YMCA team is equipped to handle the unexpected, maintain consistency, and reduce administrative stress, creating a positive experience for children, families, and staff alike.