If you’re running a child care center in Cleveland, chances are you’ve felt it:
An employee calls out. You scramble to stay in ratio. Stress rises. Classrooms suffer.
But more and more center directors in the region are opting for a different way forward — one that builds in flexibility, protects enrollment, and reduces staff burnout.
In 2022, just 24 Cleveland-area workers were active on the Tandem platform. By 2023, that number had jumped to 422 — and in 2024, it rose again to 619. That kind of growth reflects a major shift: more early educators in the area are looking for flexible, credentialed work — and more centers are leaning into that model to stay fully staffed.
Here’s how Cleveland programs are using Tandem to break the cycle of last-minute staffing stress:
Whether you’re planning ahead or responding to an emergency, Tandem allows you to fill classroom gaps quickly — with qualified workers who already meet DCY requirements. No last-minute calls. No scrambling to combine classrooms.
Every family wants to know their child is in a well-staffed classroom. Having a reliable float pool doesn’t just protect your ratios — it strengthens family confidence in your program. Directors in Cleveland are building out their Tandem network in advance so they’re always covered.
Directors tell us one of the biggest morale killers is asking core staff to constantly cover for others. With access to flexible support, your full-time team can focus on the kids — not the chaos. That kind of stability helps keep your best people long term.
Like Cliff Notes, but for child care: