AK EARLYCARE · ANCHORAGE
Frequently asked questions
Answers about joining, your employee pool, coverage and working together.
Do care professionals pay to join?
No. Joining is free, and employer fees are not deducted from your wages.
Can I keep my current job?
Yes. Explore extra shifts with multiple child care programs when your schedule, employment terms and qualifications allow. You do not need to leave your current job; work is not guaranteed.
Who hires and pays the care professional?
The hiring child care program completes onboarding, supervises and pays the professional. AK EarlyCare provides the platform and coordination, not payroll.
Who completes required screening and onboarding?
Each hiring child care program completes its required background, fingerprint, credential and employment eligibility checks and employer onboarding. A network profile or another employer’s approval does not clear someone to work at a new child care program.
What does AK EarlyCare screening include?
AK EarlyCare reviews the information received: resumes, experience, work history, availability and role fit. We do not conduct background checks. Employers complete required checks and onboarding; a profile is not clearance.
When is a shift confirmed?
Interest or selection alone does not confirm a shift. Before work, record both the professional’s agreement and the child care program’s confirmation of completed hiring and onboarding.
What is Backup Pool, and how is it different from saved contacts?
Backup Pool contains your hired employees, including part-time and on-call staff. Saved contacts and private favorites are separate; saving someone does not hire, onboard or confirm them.
Is AK EarlyCare only for unexpected absences?
No. Child Care Programs can plan substitute coverage, offer eligible employees additional hours and hire on-call or part-time professionals through the network. Care professionals choose which opportunities to pursue.
How do I grow my employee pool?
AK EarlyCare reviews interested network candidates, their resumes, experience, work history and availability. Your business makes hiring decisions. The separate $399 hiring and Emergency Backup Pool support fee applies when you and a new network professional agree on an ongoing part-time or on-call hire under accepted terms, not a one-time shift. After hiring and onboarding, organize your employee in Backup Pool.
What do membership, posting and placement fees cover?
Membership includes unlimited postings, prescreened network access and presented candidate summaries. The $399-per-new-hire service adds the presented candidate you hire to your Emergency Backup Pool after onboarding, with routine upkeep of that employee pool and hiring support agreed in writing. It also includes up to seven days of replacement-search support if the new hire doesn’t work out, without guaranteeing a replacement. This fee does not apply to browsing, existing employees or one temporary shift. Nonmembers receive one three-day introductory listing, then choose $10-per-day visibility. Child Care Programs pay wages directly.
What if a shift changes or someone cannot attend?
Notify the other party promptly and contact AK EarlyCare with the affected assignment. A change in role, hours or pay needs clear agreement. Replacement coverage is not guaranteed. Applicable cancellation, refund and dispute terms must be supplied before a paid service is agreed; a support request does not establish a charge or refund.
Where is AK EarlyCare available?
Currently serving Anchorage. AK EarlyCare was created to support Alaska’s child care community.