Beansprout Networks Announces Launch of the First Comprehensive Early Care and Education Job Board.

Business/Technology Editors & Health/Lifestyles Writers

ATLANTA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 8, 2000

Beansprout Networks (Beansprout), the leading online hub solely focused on connecting families with their own pediatricians and child care providers, today launched Child Care Careers Online (CCCO), the first full-service online job board for the early care and education community. This unique resource is designed to meet the needs of child care professionals faced with staffing challenges.

Staffing shortages result in limiting child care center hours, reducing enrollment availability, closing classrooms and even the closure of many centers. Recent statistics show that child care directors spend thirty percent of their time looking for qualified candidates; the child care field has an annual turnover rate of 30-40 percent. Beansprout's Child Care Careers Online will immediately support child care professionals in addressing these crucial staffing needs.

Mav Pardee, Vice President of the Beansprout Child Care Network noted, "Child care providers are in the midst of a staffing crisis. In New Hampshire alone, 42 centers have closed this year. Child Care Careers Online brings together job seekers and employers from every part of the early care and education field, including school age care, kindergarten, Head Start, CCR&R, administrative positions, and much more. We are excited to deliver this much-needed offering."

Beansprout offers CCCO as a free service until January 2001, when affordable pricing will go into effect. Licensed centers and Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies who register for a website with Beansprout will receive a free job listing. Child Care Careers Online is less expensive than traditional newspaper advertising, and specifically targets the early care and education audience. Child Care Careers Online will attract resumes from students and graduates of over 1,000 colleges, universities, and job-training programs. Resume posting is free of charge for all job seekers.

Child Care Careers Online offers unique advantages to employers and job seekers. For employers, CCCO features a Search Agent that enables a targeted search for employees and automatically gathers a list of qualified candidates. Employers can post online brochures or link to their program's website. The Search Agent is also available to job seekers, facilitating an easy and targeted job search. Moreover, Child Care Careers Online allows resumes to be posted confidentially, withholding candidates' names and contact information to protect their privacy. Employers' inquiries to confidential resume postings are sent to the candidate, who then decides which employers to contact. There are extensive other resources available to employers and job seekers on CCCO. The new service can be accessed at www.cccareers.beansprout.net.

About Beansprout Networks

Beansprout Networks is the first and only online hub solely focused on enabling pediatricians and child care professionals to enhance interaction and communication with the families they serve and the vendors that serve them. Beansprout brings the benefits of today's technology to those who care for children by providing free customizable websites to pediatricians; licensed child care providers and child care resource and referral agencies. Beansprout is staffed by professionals from the pediatric and child care fields, enabling the company to supply relevant and credible resources to families and providers. The company is privately held and located in Cambridge, Massachusetts. For more information, visit the company's website at www.beansprout.net.