Reliable staffing support for Manatee County child care programs.
Through a partnership with ELC Manatee, local providers can access vetted, state-compliant substitutes fee-free, helping programs stay open and in ratio when staffing gaps arise.
Supporting high-quality care across Manatee 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 Manatee and Tandem are partnering to remove these barriers by giving providers fee-free access to vetted, compliant substitutes so they can stay focused on quality care.
This is a partnership that is:
Designed specifically for licensed child care programs
Built to support continuity, compliance, and quality
Centered on real provider needs in Manatee County
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 substitute teachers who are ready to step in when coverage is needed.
Through this partnership, Tandem serves as the operational backbone - handling matching, credential verification, and payments - while ELC Manatee ensures providers can access this support at no cost.
Quickly fill absences, call-outs, and coverage gaps without scrambling. You set the hourly rate for each shift, and you access Tandem’s platform fee free through ELC Manatee.
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.
Fee-Free Access
You access Tandem’s platform fee-free through ELC Manatee. You just pay the substitute’s hourly rate, which you designate.
Ready to get started?
Create your free account below or schedule a call
How it works
STEP ONE
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.
Let us know when you need coverage and what type of support you’re looking for.
STEP THREE
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.
STEP FOUR
Stay covered and focus on your program.
Classrooms stay staffed, ratios are met, and your team stays supported.
Interested in becoming a substitute teacher?
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 Manatee County.
This is a good fit for:
Early childhood educators looking for flexible or part-time work
Teachers between roles, re-entering the field, or exploring their next long-term fit
Retired educators or professionals supplementing their income
Education students or aspiring educators gaining hands-on experience across different child care programs
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 Manatee County programs.
Join the Manatee County Sub Pool by downloding the Tandem app:
Benefits to working as a Tandem substitute:
Flexible Scheduling
Choose when and where you work
Strong Relationships
Build relationships with licensed child care programs in your community
Daily Pay
Get paid quickly through Tandem
Get started
Staffing support built for Manatee County.
For Providers
Join the childcare centers that trust Tandem to keep their classrooms fully staffed, every day.
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