Show Me Child Care Resources has +2,000 resources, tools, and templates at your fingertips! These resources, tools, and templates are downloadable and fully customizable. The resources are reviewed and updated by child care professionals in more than 32 states. These tools are specific to you to help you and your child care business be successful.
The home page is a tool in itself and can be broken up into seven sections.
The first identifies the site as Show Me Child Care Resources and has one of the most important tools of the site. The Search! The site can be intimidating or overwhelming with +2,000 resources. Just like Google, you can enter what you are looking for and be directed within the site. Google translate allows the information displayed to be displayed in your preferred language.
You will find the feature story in the second part of the homepage. This story changes monthly and focuses on a challenge or need the field is experiencing. This may be something seasonal too. Once you are a member of Show Me Child Care Resources, you will receive two monthly emails that are related and highlight one topic for the entire month.
Featured Tools and Resources highlight the most frequently used sections from Successful Program Management. This tool allows you to navigate quickly to program management tools.
Show Me Jobs is one of the job board that Acquire4Hire posts to. A membership to Acquire4Hire is included as part of your Show Me Child Care Resources subscription.
Lastly, at the bottom are quick links to popular resources and toolkits.
A great quick link is to a reference sheet for either centers or family child care homes. It is a printable document to can assist you in navigating Show Me Child Care Resources. Click here for a sample reference sheet.
Let’s explore some of the resources that you have access to.
Acquire4Hire
Acquire4Hire is included in the Show Me Child Care Resources subscription. As child care director/business owner you only have one place to manage jobs. Not only does Acquire4Hire provide templates for many child care specific job descriptions, it also provides information on hiring/interviewing best practices. When you hit submit, your job is posted to at least seven job boards.
Acquire4Hire doesn’t stop with just posting a job. You can track the applicant process and communication keeping all of the communication in one place.
Docs by Phone
Docs by Phone is a low cost telemedicing plan – that when offered to all staff in the center – is $8 per month for the educator and all of her dependents. The cost is only $10 per month if the child care educator wants to enroll independently.
There is another option that includes teletherapy – so an educator gets both for $14 per month. Teletherapy option includes 10 mental health visits per year shared between the educator and her dependents.
This plan isn’t for broken bones, but many items like colds/sinus infections can be diagnosed via the phone in a much shorter time than going to the doctor. This means staff can be in the program more and less time waiting to see a doctor and get a diagnosis.
HR Online
HR Online can help you manage a complicated process. HR laws and regulations are extensive and complex. HR Hotline provides 24/7 access to an HR expert for $300 per year. This subscription will help you respond appropriately when personnel matters and questions arise. Your child care business and you are protected from liability and risk that occurs from mishandling an HR related issue. You are updated with changing policies so you can stay compliant.
VIP Discounts
VIP Discounts – due to pooled purchasing on a national scale of 34 states, the site can provide discounts and bring costs down. Discounts include classroom and educational supplies, cleaning & office supplies, food, trash removal and more.
Sample vendors include Brightwheel, Discount School Supply, Kaplan, Lakeshore and other products and services known to child care programs.
You don’t have to navigate these discounts alone. When you request information on discounts or products, a personal savings coordinator will work with and you and learn how to best help your business. By saving money on supplies and products, you can invest more in staff and benefits!
Child Care Educators receive a teacher discount card that provides them discounts at retail stores like Hobby Lobby, Michaels, Party City, and others where they shop every day.