If we look at the job descriptions of educators and managers within the childcare industry & compare it with other industries, very few industries require the amount of paperwork and adherence to regulations as the childcare industry. The requirements range from Governmental guidance to keeping the parents happy and feeling part of their children’s learning journey every day. The amount of paperwork these requirements demand from management and educators are robbing the children from quality time and interaction with their educators.

Specialised childcare software can change the way businesses operate, but if educators and other role players in the sector are realistic this is one of the most important changes that need to modernise the sector – not only changes to the way that they teach children. The childcare industry has one of the lowest engagement percentages in the use of effective technology to improve quality provision to their clients.

The childcare sector can benefit from specialised childcare software to cut down on operational costs and adhere to regulatory requirements by using technology to ease administrative tasks such as billing and invoicing, managing staff and staff ratios, monitoring and observing child development according to frameworks, etc. This will allow educators and managers to teach and not push around papers.

Connectivity is vitally important in the era we are living in, why not use specialized software to connect and involve parents in their child’s learning, get permissions from them, and inform them about events and happenings in your setting?

The possibilities to effectively use technology in this sector are endless, specialized software can help managers and teachers to develop and connect with other professionals to monitor their work and their own professional development.

I think its time that we look at alternatives to how we can provide better learning and development not only for the children in our care but the staff and people working in the sector – how can the sector grow and keep up with the modern era if we don’t? Benefits of specialised childcare software for the industry include:

• Efficient and better workflow within the centre
• Improved Learning and Development for the children in the centre
• Monitoring and evaluating Learning and Development of the children in the centre
• Improved communication and effective connectivity with families

The next question is…………. How do you choose the best-specialised childcare software for your centre?

You need to start by asking and answering why do you need specialised childcare software?

• The childcare software needs to “take over” some functions
• The childcare software needs to compliment your current system
• The childcare software must make your setting more efficient
• The childcare software must add quality outcomes and help you manage your staff, engage your parents and be shaped around the client – the children in your setting

The features must include the following:

• Be compatible and be able to function on multiple devices
• Provide a sign in and sign out function to staff and children
• Provide parent engagement app & communications.
• Provide data management, reporting, & accounting.
• Provide scheduling & attendance.
• Provide Waitlist registration & enrollment.
• Provide online billing & payment processing.
• Provide an online parent portal
• Provide online document accessibility and storage
• Provide around the clock connectivity
• Provide a customised parent or family portal
• Provide billing and invoicing
• Provide a link with Governmental Frameworks

One of the key points to remember is that if you choose well, the software will pay for itself in time and operational or administrative costs. Another key point is to familiarise yourself with the technical service and support the company will offer you, your staff and parents using the software. Do your homework and determine your needs before you start to look for a software solution.

Xap has been offering exceptional customer service and state of the art technology for the childcare industry since our inception. Our software encompasses most functionalities that otherwise you would be using multiple softwares to manage.