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Reliable staffing support for Sarasota County child care programs.

Through a partnership with ELC Sarasota, local providers can access vetted, state-compliant substitutes, helping programs stay open and in ratio when staffing gaps arise.

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Supporting high-quality care across Sarasota County.

Staffing disruptions are one of the biggest threats to child care stability. When classrooms go uncovered, programs face ratio risks, closures, and added stress on directors and staff. ELC Sarasota and Tandem are partnering to remove these barriers by giving providers access to vetted, compliant substitutes so they can stay focused on quality care.

Why this partnership exists and what's included:
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Built to support continuity, compliance, and quality

Designed specifically for licensed child care programs in Sarasota County, with a focus on keeping classrooms covered and meeting Florida requirements.

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Dependable coverage for your classrooms

Access a pool of vetted, qualified substitutes to maintain classroom coverage, meet staffing ratios, and minimize disruptions.

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Stronger teaching teams, from professional growth to hiring

Providers get unlimited access to professional development for their teachers, and directors and administrators can join workforce webinar trainings covering recruiting, onboarding, managing call-offs, and retention.

Explore more resources from ELC Sarasota

Visit ELC Sarasota to discover additional programs, funding, and support available to providers and families in Sarasota County.

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Dependable coverage for your classrooms.

Tandem is a staffing platform created exclusively for early learning programs. We connect child care providers with a pool of vetted, state-compliant substitutes who are ready to step in when coverage is needed.

Stay open and in ratio

Quickly fill absences, call-outs, and coverage gaps without scrambling.

Vetted, state-compliant substitutes

Every substitute meets Florida child care requirements and is verified through Tandem.

Save time on admin and paperwork

No recruiting, credential chasing, onboarding, or scheduling coordination required.

Flexible, on-demand support

Use Tandem whenever staffing needs arise. No contracts or minimums.

how it works

Keep classrooms covered with qualified substitutes.

01
step 1

Create an account.

Sign your program up for free. Once your profile is created, you will be able to add additional program and specific center information.

02
step 2

Post your needs.

Let us know when you need coverage and what type of support you're looking for.

03
step 3

Get matched with a substitute.

Tandem matches you with vetted, compliant substitutes who fit your needs and provides you with their profile and compliance documents ahead of their first shift.

04
step 4

Stay covered and focus on your program.

Classrooms stay staffed, ratios are met, and your team stays supported.

For Substitutes

Interested in becoming a substitute?

If you have experience in early childhood education and are looking for flexible, meaningful work, this is a great opportunity to support child care programs across Martin County.

This is a good fit for:

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Early childhood educators looking for flexible or part-time work

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Educators between roles, re-entering the field, or exploring their next long-term fit

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Retired educators or professionals supplementing their income

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Education students or aspiring educators gaining hands-on experience across different child care programs

Getting started is easy.

Create an account with Tandem, upload your credentials, and complete the required screening steps. Once approved, you'll be able to pick up shifts at participating programs.

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Benefits of working as a Tandem substitute:

Flexible scheduling

Choose when and where you work

Strong relationships

Build relationships with programs in your community

Daily Pay

Get paid quickly through Tandem

FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about child care staffing in partnership with ELC Sarasota .

How should I prepare for a substitute’s first day?
How do centers access substitute’s compliance documents?
Can providers request substitutes with specific experience, credentials, or education?
What if a substitute is not a good fit?
Can I use the substitute pool to hire permanent teachers?
Do I need to sign a contract?
How quickly can I get coverage?
Do I need to add a Tandem substitute to my Clearinghouse roster?
What can I expect to be included in a Tandem substitute's file in Florida?
How much does it cost?

Ready to staff your center with qualified substitutes?

Join the child care centers that trust Tandem to keep their classrooms fully staffed, every day.