4 Tips for a Partner Center
Our Company, Sunflower Childcare Substitutes, helps assign substitute teachers to centers who need coverage. Our partner centers sign a client service agreement, which allows them to request our teachers when they are in need. Our team of substitutes then serve our partner centers when they are needed. We have a few tips to our partner centers for when they receive a substitute for the first time. To learn more about how to become a partner center, please check out our website or our Centers page.
Obtain Their File
As a child care administrator or director, you know the importance of a teacher file. Sunflower Subs have a complete, compliant file before they are cleared to work in any partner center. The substitutes will arrive with a hard copy of their file that you can make a copy of, or you can request a digital copy to print for your records. Make sure you approve them in OCCRRA and print their reports from there as well. A complete file should be kept on-site for as long as you are a partner center- your state licensing rep with thank you.
2. Request Help
We pride ourselves on being able to offer our substitute teachers a flexible schedule, which means we cannot always place teachers for same-day coverage. If we have a request for a substitute a few days to a few weeks before, there is a better chance in will be covered since we will have time to communicate the opening to our substitutes working in your area. As soon as you see a request for a vacation, appointment, or other days off come through-reach out to us! Pro tip: We require staff to request time off 2-weeks in advance so there is plenty of time to plan.
3. Be Prepared
All daycare and child care centers have unique layouts and policies. The first day you have a have a new substitute plan to meet with them 5 to 10 minutes before you need them in a room. During this time go over: the room(s) they will be in, the emergency routes in the buildings, allergy lists posted in rooms and where medications are, adult and children’s bathrooms, sign-in/out policy on rosters, activity plans and materials, and any daily communication sheet or electronic you use to communicate with parents. Substitutes are used to being on the move and adapting to new environments but any information you can provide them before going into a room will help them be successful in your center. As a bonus, we provide you with a teacher wish list just in case you want to get them some goodies to welcome them into your center.
4. End of Day
At the end of their shift, please let our substitutes know how they did and allow them to express pros and cons. Your Sunflower Childcare Substitute will also be expecting communication. They will be looking for the hours the substitute worked, and any other comments, concerns, or questions you may have. Communication ensure all needs are being met on both sides.
We hope these tips help you have a seamless, positive experience with your first substitute placement at your center. If you would like to learn more about becoming a partner center please email our recruitment manager Gina at subs@sunflower-subs.com
