Bright Futures Westside: Building a New Center with a Reliable Staffing Partner

When Holly McIntosh opened Bright Futures Westside in January 2024, she knew exactly where to turn for staffing support: Tandem.

“I used Tandem at my previous job,” Holly shared, “and decided to use them again when opening this center.”

From the very beginning, Tandem helped Bright Futures get off the ground. Holly needed a fast, flexible solution to get classrooms staffed and operational - and Tandem delivered. Since then, 116 Tandem workers have completed over 1,100 shifts, making it possible to ramp up quickly while maintaining compliance and quality, then proceed to grow the center.

“Using Tandem was a valuable tool in getting the center up and running,” Holly said. “As enrollment increased, I needed to bring in staff who were ready to work - and Tandem allowed for that kind of flexibility.”

Vetted Talent From Day One

One of the biggest advantages Holly saw in working with Tandem was how seamless it was to bring in workers who could start right away. Every Tandem worker arrives with the required state paperwork and training already completed, meaning they can be counted in ratio the moment they walk in the door.

“The value in Tandem staff is that they have all the required paperwork and training to count from the minute they come in,” said Holly.

As Bright Futures grew, Holly used Tandem’s flexible staffing model to adjust her team’s schedule based on daily and weekly needs. Over time, several Tandem workers proved to be such a great fit that Holly brought them on permanently.

“There were Tandem workers that we could tell after a few days were the right fit,” she explained. “They met our standards and matched the culture we were building - so we worked with Tandem to make them part of our permanent staff.”

A Long-Term Solution That’s Always There

Even as her core team has solidified, Holly continues to rely on Tandem for coverage during staff illnesses, vacations, and other last-minute needs. Unlike many centers that are forced to limit hours or close classrooms, Bright Futures Westside can stay fully operational—without skipping a beat.

“There will always be a need for Tandem workers,” Holly noted. “Tandem allows me to keep the center running without having to limit hours or close rooms like other centers might have to.”

Easy-to-Use Tools That Make Staffing Smarter

Tandem’s platform also makes it easy for Holly to manage her experience, from requesting coverage to reviewing performance. She appreciates being able to rate workers, build a list of preferred subs, and block those who don’t align with her center’s standards.

“I like that I can review workers, both positively and negatively. I can have preferred workers - and block people who don’t fit in with my center.”

Among those preferred workers? Jasmine, a standout Tandem sub who has made a strong impression at Bright Futures Westside.

“We are really enjoying our experience working with Jasmine,” Holly shared. “She is flexible, accommodating, engaging, and friendly.”