Looking Ahead: What Workforce Stability Can Look Like in Child Care

For years, conversations about the child care workforce have focused on what is missing.

Not enough staff.

Not enough applicants.

Not enough time.

But the 2025 Workforce Report tells a different story — one rooted in what is possible when educators are supported and systems work the way they should.

What Stability Looked Like in 2025

Across Ohio, Florida, Illinois, and North Carolina, Tandem worked alongside child care programs navigating daily staffing challenges.

From the center perspective, the impact was clear:

• 2,466 educators worked through Tandem
• 862 child care centers served
• 77% of jobs filled with substitutes, helping programs stay open and in ratio
• Nearly 5,000 four- and five-star worker reviews, reflecting trust, reliability, and quality experiences

These outcomes did not come from a single solution.

They came from aligning people, systems, and expectations.

Stability Is Built Through Relationships

One of the clearest lessons from both the data and educator stories is that stability does not require the same teacher in the same classroom every day.

It requires:

• Familiar faces returning
• Educators who feel confident and prepared
• Programs that create welcoming, organized environments
• Systems that make participation easier, not harder

Substitute staffing, when done well, supports continuity rather than disrupting it. Educators return to centers where relationships are built, expectations are clear, and respect is mutual.

When Educators Are Supported, Participation Increases

The Workforce Report shows that educators want to work — and many rely on child care as a primary source of income.

Participation increases when:

• Flexibility allows educators to balance work and life
• Administrative barriers are reduced
• Communication is clear and consistent
• Educators feel valued as professionals

These are not abstract ideals. They are practical conditions that determine whether educators say yes to work and keep saying yes.

Systems Matter More Than Ever

The future workforce will depend on systems that reflect how educators actually work.

That means:

• Credential and compliance tracking that travels with the educator
• Transparent expectations between centers and teachers
• Feedback loops that promote quality and accountability
• Tools that support both short-term coverage and long-term hiring

Stability is not just about filling today’s shift.

It is about building confidence in tomorrow.

A Stronger Workforce Benefits Everyone

When workforce systems function well:

• Educators can build sustainable careers
• Programs reduce burnout and last-minute closures
• Families experience more reliable care
• Children benefit from consistency and connection

This is the ripple effect of workforce stability.

Looking Forward

The child care workforce does not need to be reinvented.

It needs to be supported.

The 2025 Workforce Report shows that when educators are listened to and systems are designed around real needs, stability is achievable — not just for a moment, but over time.

The path forward is not about choosing between flexibility and continuity.

It is about building systems that allow for both.

👉 Read the full Workforce Report

🧸 Crib Notes

• Workforce stability is achievable with the right systems in place
• In 2025, 2,466 educators supported 862 child care centers
• 77% of jobs were filled, keeping classrooms open
• Nearly 5,000 high worker ratings reflect trust and quality
• Substitute staffing can strengthen continuity when relationships are prioritized

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