You might be “fully staffed” — but are you fully covered?
There’s a difference.
At Tandem, we work with child care centers every day that look good on paper… until one absence turns into a scramble. Why? Because the bench isn’t as strong as it seems.
Bench strength isn’t about extra people. It’s about flexibility, depth, and having the right systems in place before something goes wrong.
Here’s how to audit your bench — and strengthen it before the school year ramps up.
Start by looking at:
Who’s full-time?
Who’s part-time?
Who can float between rooms?
Who’s actually available during peak hours?
This exercise often reveals that your “coverage” depends heavily on one or two people always being present. That’s a risk worth addressing.
When are you most exposed?
Mornings before 8:30
Nap transitions
Last-minute closings
Pre-planned vacations
If coverage during these windows relies on luck or heroics, you’ve found a pressure point. That’s where your bench needs support first.
Your bench isn’t just your core staff. It should include:
Floaters
Reliable part-timers
Trusted substitutes you’ve rebooked
New candidates waiting on paperwork
When you shift your mindset to include flexible and emerging talent, your bench gets much deeper than it looks on paper.
Use the slower summer months to:
Try out new floaters or subs
Cross-train staff in multiple rooms
Block off “what-if” shifts for backup coverage
The best benches aren’t reactive — they’re practiced and ready.
Even if you don’t need one today, having a substitute plan — with preferences, shift needs, and credentials defined — means you’ll be ready when something inevitably comes up.
Tandem makes this easy by letting you set your preferences, request vetted workers on-demand, and track who’s a good fit over time.
We created a simple worksheet to help you audit your team’s bench and make smart adjustments before fall.
Like Cliff Notes, but for child care: