Case Study: Addressing Child Care Staff Shortages in Mississippi With Wonderschool's Substitute Teaching Pool

‍To tackle severe staffing shortages in Mississippi's child care centers, the Mississippi Department of Human Services (MDHS) partnered with Wonderschool. This strategic collaboration introduced the Wonderschool Substitute Teaching Platform, which successfully connected providers with qualified substitutes, improving operational stability and the quality of early childhood education.

Challenge

‍Child care centers across the U.S. face severe staff shortages, with seven in ten centers unable to fully enroll children due to lack of staff. This issue significantly impacts the quality of care and education provided, placing a tremendous burden on directors and administrators. In Mississippi, the strain was particularly acute, forcing many child care providers to scramble for assistance or close their doors altogether.

Solution

‍Recognizing the urgent need for a solution, the Mississippi Department of Human Services (MDHS) partnered with Wonderschool in 2023. This collaboration aimed to create a statewide platform to connect child care providers with local substitute teachers, addressing staffing shortages and enhancing the quality of early childhood education. The initiative was part of a broader MDHS strategy to implement supportive programs, including the creation of new child care programs and the Wonderschool Substitute Teaching Platform.

Outcomes and Results

Results within six months

• 91% Jobs Worked Rate
• 14,000+ Hours worked in six months
• 249 substitutes onboarded

Testimonials: Real Impact from the Field

• ‍"We've put in place several different programs to offer those additional supports, which include the substitute pool program that Wonderschool provides. We made a very good decision," said Dr. Chad Allgood, MDHS Director, Division of Early Childhood Care & Development.
• "The SubPool has been beyond amazing. It allows a lot of flexibility while doing something I truly love and enjoy, which is making a positive difference in a child's life! The SubPool allows me to pick up jobs that fit my schedule." - Shaquita J., Wonderschool Substitute.
• "I would wake up each morning in fear that someone would be absent. We had to get board members, friends, family, van drivers, and our financial advisor qualified to fill in if teachers were out. But now! It is so easy and convenient to log in, post a job, and immediately have willing applicants." - Nancy Sylvester, Director, Global Connection Academy.

Bringing Wonderschool's Substitute Teaching Pool To Your State

Wonderschool can help boost your child care workforce which means more stability and care for families in your region. By providing a reliable, efficient platform for connecting child care providers with substitute teachers, you'll be empowering the workforce behind the workforce. Our regional representatives is ready to demo our interactive product and answer any questions you may have.