DuoShare Employer Partnership Program
Flexible childcare support options for employers seeking to recruit, retain, and support working families.
DuoShare is an employer partnership program offered through Little Sprouts Childcare, a program of the Mill Street Opportunity Alliance. The program helps employers recruit, retain, and support employees by expanding access to dependable, high-quality childcare.
Employer partnership conversations are underway now, with formal employer partnerships beginning in August 2026. The Little Sprouts Childcare Interest List is currently open, and the center is anticipated to open in early 2027.
Whether your organization is interested in supporting one employee, reserving childcare spaces, or developing a long-term workforce benefit, DuoShare offers flexible partnership options designed to meet your organization's goals and budget.
Located in Hastings, Michigan, DuoShare connects employers directly to dependable childcare solutions that reduce employee stress, improve attendance, and build long-term loyalty.
Why DuoShare Matters
Reliable childcare is one of the most significant workforce challenges facing employers today.
When employees have dependable childcare, organizations often experience:
- Improved recruitment
- Stronger employee retention
- Reduced absenteeism
- Increased productivity
- Greater employee satisfaction
DuoShare provides employers with practical, flexible solutions that help remove childcare barriers while supporting working families.
Rather than offering a one-size-fits-all benefit, organizations can choose the partnership model that best aligns with their workforce needs and available resources.
Participation Options
DuoShare offers three flexible ways for businesses to participate:
Direct Tuition Contribution
Best for employers who want
to support specific employees.
- Employer determines the amount or percentage of tuition to contribute.
- Contributions are paid directly to Little Sprouts Childcare.
- Employees remain responsible for any remaining tuition, fees, and other applicable charges.
- Provides maximum flexibility and employer control.
Shared Employer Support Fund
Best for employers seeking
a simple, flexible benefit.
- Employer contributes to an employer-designated fund administered by the Alliance.
- Tuition assistance is distributed to eligible employees while funds are available.
- Reduces administrative responsibilities for the employer.
- Provides support that can benefit multiple employees.
Community Contribution Fund
Best for organizations committed
to strengthening the community.
- Employer contributes to a community assistance fund administered by the Alliance.
- Assistance supports designated community members based on program priorities and available funding.
- Demonstrates a commitment to supporting working families and the local workforce.
- Expands the impact of your investment beyond your own organization.
How It Works
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Employer selects participation type.
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Agreement is executed with Little Sprouts.
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Tuition contributions are processed according to the selected structure.
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Employees enroll and receive tuition support.
Little Sprouts manages licensing, operations, health and safety compliance, and program administration.
Invest in Your Workforce
DuoShare is more than a childcare benefit.
It is an investment in your employees, your company’s future, and the strength of our community.
Employer Guide
Interested in offering childcare as an employee benefit?
The DuoShare Employer Guide provides everything you need to understand the program, including:
How DuoShare works
- Employer contribution options
- Reserved childcare spaces
- Partnership benefits
- Pricing examples
- Frequently asked questions
- Steps to become a partner
Understand Your Workforce's Childcare Needs
Before launching a childcare benefit, it's important to understand what your employees need.
The DuoShare Employee Childcare Survey is a ready-to-use tool that helps employers assess childcare demand, identify scheduling needs, and gauge interest in employer-supported childcare. The survey provides valuable insights to help determine whether a childcare partnership is the right fit for your organization.
Whether you're considering reserved childcare spaces, tuition assistance, or simply exploring options, the survey gives you the information needed to make informed decisions.
There is no cost or obligation to use the survey. Once completed, we'll compile the results and review them with you to discuss opportunities that best fit your workforce.
Ready to get started? Contact Us→ Request Your Employee Childcare Survey →
Michigan Tri-Share Child Care
Little Sprouts plans to become a participating childcare provider for the Michigan Tri-Share Child Care program once the center is licensed and eligible to enroll.
Through Tri-Share, the cost of qualifying childcare is divided equally among the employee, the employer, and the State of Michigan—potentially reducing a participating family’s childcare cost by two-thirds.
Tri-Share is a separate state program from DuoShare, but both options support the same goal: helping employers strengthen their workforce while making high-quality childcare more affordable for working families.