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Daycare Center and Family Home Forum>Sharing With Parents
Ariana 04:58 PM 05-20-2017
I currently have an FB secret group for my parents. It makes posting pics and notices/reminders super easy but I really want to get rid of facebook for personal reasons.

Any other way I can share things with parents (besides email) that is free and relatively easy?
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Annalee 05:40 PM 05-20-2017
Originally Posted by Ariana:
I currently have an FB secret group for my parents. It makes posting pics and notices/reminders super easy but I really want to get rid of facebook for personal reasons.

Any other way I can share things with parents (besides email) that is free and relatively easy?
I don't use FB. I sometimes text pics but mostly put pics on a display in my daycare room. I give monthly newsletters and a reminder text for upcoming happenings.
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Pandaluver21 07:26 PM 05-20-2017
Have you looked into Brightwheel?
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CalCare 07:46 PM 05-20-2017
My son's school uses parentsquare. As a parent it is free to me obviously I have no idea what the school pays but it could be something to look into, maybe it's cheap? It will also give all of the parents access to each other. Not sure if you're into that lol I think there are a few on here that wouldn't be interested in that!
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Mike 08:27 PM 05-20-2017
What features do you want and how would you like it to work? If I put together a free system for you, what would you like to be able to do?
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284878 07:07 AM 05-21-2017
I heard of an app called remind that a local teacher uses. I checked it out but it was not for me, you may like it.
I currently use wufoo website. I created a form for each family for there child/ren. At the end of the day, I fill out the form and we both get an email with the results. This was the only that I found that emailed the results and allowed more than one email (plus one text message).
(It is Limited to 3 forms and 100 entries a month for free)
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284878 07:36 AM 05-21-2017
Originally Posted by Mike:
What features do you want and how would you like it to work? If I put together a free system for you, what would you like to be able to do?
I just want to be able to send reminders to group or individual. With wufoo I don't have enough free forms to do a group one or if I add another family but I like there set up. I have it set so both DCM and dcd get the notice.
I like that I can customize for a families needs. So the family that uses formula, I have a box that says bring formula. Only what I check shows in the email, so if I check formula but not wipes, the email only reads "please bring formula"

Downside with wufoo is that I have to enter everything at the end of the day, I can't add things when I get time and save it.

With remind, I couldn't find away to message a single family which was more important than group.
Bright wheels is to time consuming plus I don't like the required parent account.
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Ariana 07:41 AM 05-21-2017
Originally Posted by Mike:
What features do you want and how would you like it to work? If I put together a free system for you, what would you like to be able to do?
Something that is exactly like FB...so super easy to use with easy access for parents. I find that FB is becoming a time suck for me and I really want to delete it. Maybe I can just sign up under a different name or something and delete all of my friends? I tried deleting all of my friends before and just using FB for recipes and stuff but people got really offended
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Snowmom 08:00 AM 05-21-2017
I have a blogger website that I set to "private". So, only the people I invite can view it. I update it (post) once or twice a week with pictures, videos or business info.
The only downfall is that people actually have to check it... but I suppose that's Facebook too.
Blogger is free and you can customize it. I also uploaded my handbook and calendar of days off to the blog page (side bar), so they always have that to view.
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MarinaVanessa 08:45 AM 05-21-2017
What about a Shutterfly Share site?
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Rainbow 03:11 PM 05-21-2017
Originally Posted by Pandaluver21:
Have you looked into Brightwheel?
This. You can send notes and pictures to individuals or groups of families and every family only has access to their own child(ren)'s account. My dcparents love love love seeing pictures of their kids! You do need a smartphone or tablet to input information, however.
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Blackcat31 03:41 PM 05-21-2017
Originally Posted by Mike:
What features do you want and how would you like it to work? If I put together a free system for you, what would you like to be able to do?
I know you asked Ariana but...

I want to send reminders about upcoming events and deadlines. (To some parents/all parents... it depends on subject)
I want to send a random picture of their kid during the day. Some times more than one parent the same pic.
I want to send calendars with marked events to families so they can print and/or save in whatever way works for them.
I want parents to be able to send me their weekly schedules and change requests

More than anything I want to send parents receipts for payment that I don't have to hand write and they can print out.

I know texting does most of that but texting doesn't allow me to separate daycare "stuff" all into one separate area/folder and doesn't allow for printing anything exchanged.

I am sure there really is an app or a way to do all that stuff but I'm not computer savvy and I don't like having 12 steps to everything and I don't like complex. I'm old(er) and took typing in school not computer lab. I know shorthand.

I want easy.
Click this or that. Print or save. Yes or no.
Paid or owe. Picture/text. In/Out.
No confusion.


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Annalee 06:12 PM 05-21-2017
Originally Posted by Blackcat31:
I know you asked Ariana but...

I want to send reminders about upcoming events and deadlines. (To some parents/all parents... it depends on subject)
I want to send a random picture of their kid during the day. Some times more than one parent the same pic.
I want to send calendars with marked events to families so they can print and/or save in whatever way works for them.
I want parents to be able to send me their weekly schedules and change requests

More than anything I want to send parents receipts for payment that I don't have to hand write and they can print out.

I know texting does most of that but texting doesn't allow me to separate daycare "stuff" all into one separate area/folder and doesn't allow for printing anything exchanged.

I am sure there really is an app or a way to do all that stuff but I'm not computer savvy and I don't like having 12 steps to everything and I don't like complex. I'm old(er) and took typing in school not computer lab. I know shorthand.

I want easy.
Click this or that. Print or save. Yes or no.
Paid or owe. Picture/text. In/Out.
No confusion.

I took accounting, shorthand, and typing as I was preparing for a career in business while in high school All this on a manual typerwriter. with one of those erasers that slowed you down if you had to correct errors I got to go to all the typing contest with the school system and come in second for the state, but can't remember how many words I could type per minute. I amaze my sons on the computer keyboard. I think my youngest is going to have my typing skills, he is doing great in his keyboard class. My brothers still use one finger to type on a keyboard
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Mike 06:13 PM 05-21-2017
Originally Posted by Blackcat31:
I know you asked Ariana but...
Only because she started the thread.

As some of you know, one of the many things I do is website hosting and design. Part of that is my own programs. For example, there are many programs and scripts out there for various website features like guestbooks, counters, etc, and there is software like Wordpress and Forum programs, but quite often, the ones that exist aren't quite what I want, so I design my own. I like that for 2 reasons. First, it does just what I want, and second, since I did it, I can also change it later if I want to add or modify anything.

So, many of you share and discuss things with dcps via Facebook or other sites, but I have my own system planned for when I start. At this point in time, it's just ideas in my brain, and my plans were to work on it "someday", but, being a part of this forum has given me much more knowledge to be prepared for that day, as well as ideas of what my sharing program should cover.

Due to previous discussions, it looks like some of you may be interested in my sharing program, so to thank you all for the help you have been, rather than working on my program "someday", I'm moving that plan to the front burner.

My schedule is very erratic, so I don't know how long it will take to do it, but likely somewhere between 1 and 4 weeks. I'm going to start another thread about my idea. Others can give input as far as features and suggestions, and I'll update the thread as my program progresses. At some point, it will be ready for experimenting, then when it's ready to go, it'll be free to anyone here.
Reply
Ariana 08:00 PM 05-21-2017
Originally Posted by Blackcat31:
I know you asked Ariana but...

I want to send reminders about upcoming events and deadlines. (To some parents/all parents... it depends on subject)
I want to send a random picture of their kid during the day. Some times more than one parent the same pic.
I want to send calendars with marked events to families so they can print and/or save in whatever way works for them.
I want parents to be able to send me their weekly schedules and change requests

More than anything I want to send parents receipts for payment that I don't have to hand write and they can print out.

I know texting does most of that but texting doesn't allow me to separate daycare "stuff" all into one separate area/folder and doesn't allow for printing anything exchanged.

I am sure there really is an app or a way to do all that stuff but I'm not computer savvy and I don't like having 12 steps to everything and I don't like complex. I'm old(er) and took typing in school not computer lab. I know shorthand.

I want easy.
Click this or that. Print or save. Yes or no.
Paid or owe. Picture/text. In/Out.
No confusion.

Perfect!

Also perhaps a way to turn off certain functions that are not needed for certain users.
Reply
CityGarden 08:49 PM 05-21-2017
I am a new provider and have been piloting two different communication options.... Brightwheel and Shutterfly Share Sites. I personally like Shutterfly Share Sites better of the two and the one I could most likely stick with however I will need something else for billing / receipts, etc.

Brightwheel
PROS:
CONS:
Overall

If I provided infant care or had a very small number of children I would use Brightwheel but for my program I am happy with Shtterfly Share Sites.
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CityGarden 10:22 PM 05-21-2017
Shutterfly Share Sites
PROS:
CONS:
Overall
I feel Shutterfly Share serves a group of daycare/preschool families well for communication and Brightwheel serves the individual family well. So I feel I am sticking with Shutterfly Share Sites but looking for billing options.
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Blackcat31 07:06 AM 05-22-2017
Every option I've looked into has billing features.
I don't want or need any type of billing features....
Other than being able to fill in the info for a receipt.

Many of my parents use flexible spending accounts for their child care and often request receipts they can submit to their employers for reimbursement. These receipts take the most time in regards to billing.

I bill and parents pay the same rate 52 weeks a year and 99% of my clients pay via bank transfers so I don't need accounting features or anything to do with billing other than receipts. I think there are alot of programs available that meet the billing needs of this profession.

I don't need time in/out features either.

I just want to share stuff with them.
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LittleScholars 09:08 AM 05-22-2017
Originally Posted by CityGarden:
[*]Black Cat mentioned a payment issue she learned about that I was very uncomfortable with.
May I ask what the issue was? I'm starting to question if I want to stick with BW, and had three different issues last week.
Reply
Blackcat31 09:14 AM 05-22-2017
Originally Posted by LittleScholars:
May I ask what the issue was? I'm starting to question if I want to stick with BW, and had three different issues last week.
In another social group I am in, there was a provider that had used BW for parent payments. Supposedly, this is what happened:

A family (she had no issues with) began having issues among each other and decided to separate. Apparently they argued most about paying daycare costs so one (or both) of them filed a complaint with BW and disputed funds that had been paid.

BW removed ALL payments (made by that family) from provider's account until the issue could be resolved. Thus causing massive issues with providers finances.

I am not positive about all the details but that is apparently the gist of it.... so it makes me SUPER uncomfortable using a system that allows for disputes to be handled that way.
Reply
LittleScholars 09:20 AM 05-22-2017
Originally Posted by Blackcat31:
In another social group I am in, there was a provider that had used BW for parent payments. Supposedly, this is what happened:

A family (she had no issues with) began having issues among each other and decided to separate. Apparently they argued most about paying daycare costs so one (or both) of them filed a complaint with BW and disputed funds that had been paid.

BW removed ALL payments (made by that family) from provider's account until the issue could be resolved. Thus causing massive issues with providers finances.

I am not positive about all the details but that is apparently the gist of it.... so it makes me SUPER uncomfortable using a system that allows for disputes to be handled that way.
I believe this. I don't think they systems in place to make consistent judgment calls when weird things happen. I had something happen with a parent, and it took me weeks to get to the bottom of it. The required the parent to share their bank statement with me, and that was awkward. In the end, they paid for a whole week of tuition for the parent (very nice), but I had to put in way more work than I should have had to in order to figure it out.

I cut them a fair amount of slack at the time because they were new and I really liked the service.
Reply
EntropyControlSpecialist 11:20 AM 05-22-2017
Originally Posted by Mike:
Only because she started the thread.

As some of you know, one of the many things I do is website hosting and design. Part of that is my own programs. For example, there are many programs and scripts out there for various website features like guestbooks, counters, etc, and there is software like Wordpress and Forum programs, but quite often, the ones that exist aren't quite what I want, so I design my own. I like that for 2 reasons. First, it does just what I want, and second, since I did it, I can also change it later if I want to add or modify anything.

So, many of you share and discuss things with dcps via Facebook or other sites, but I have my own system planned for when I start. At this point in time, it's just ideas in my brain, and my plans were to work on it "someday", but, being a part of this forum has given me much more knowledge to be prepared for that day, as well as ideas of what my sharing program should cover.

Due to previous discussions, it looks like some of you may be interested in my sharing program, so to thank you all for the help you have been, rather than working on my program "someday", I'm moving that plan to the front burner.

My schedule is very erratic, so I don't know how long it will take to do it, but likely somewhere between 1 and 4 weeks. I'm going to start another thread about my idea. Others can give input as far as features and suggestions, and I'll update the thread as my program progresses. At some point, it will be ready for experimenting, then when it's ready to go, it'll be free to anyone here.
You are very talented. That is amazing!
Reply
CityGarden 11:22 AM 05-22-2017
Originally Posted by Blackcat31:
Every option I've looked into has billing features.
I don't want or need any type of billing features....
Other than being able to fill in the info for a receipt.

Many of my parents use flexible spending accounts for their child care and often request receipts they can submit to their employers for reimbursement. These receipts take the most time in regards to billing.

I bill and parents pay the same rate 52 weeks a year and 99% of my clients pay via bank transfers so I don't need accounting features or anything to do with billing other than receipts. I think there are alot of programs available that meet the billing needs of this profession.

I don't need time in/out features either.

I just want to share stuff with them.
I have to say I love Shutterfly Share Sites it makes my life so easy and is very easy to use but it sends to the group vs. the individual. I post photos of all the children, calendar to all parents, reminders to all parents, etc. If I need something sent to just one parent I put it in email - but there might be a way to do that on Shutterfly, I have never desired it so never looked.

What are you using / doing for receipts? Right now the only function I am utilizing Brightwheel for billing / receipts for all families. Only one family (the family I asked to pilot Brightwheel for me) get updates for their child (photos, etc.) ---- thru Brightwheel, they love it so I am letting them continue updates on there until the end of the summer. But I have several new families starting in June and would like a receipt plan in place prior to them starting.
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Mike 11:42 AM 05-22-2017
Originally Posted by EntropyControlSpecialist:
You are very talented. That is amazing!
Thanks. I was into computers from the first home computers that came out. Programs were on cassette tapes back then. Once Internet became an affordable luxury, I got hooked up, and hooked.
Reply
Mom2Two 05:35 PM 05-22-2017
Originally Posted by Blackcat31:
I know you asked Ariana but...

I want to send reminders about upcoming events and deadlines. (To some parents/all parents... it depends on subject)
I want to send a random picture of their kid during the day. Some times more than one parent the same pic.
I want to send calendars with marked events to families so they can print and/or save in whatever way works for them.
I want parents to be able to send me their weekly schedules and change requests

More than anything I want to send parents receipts for payment that I don't have to hand write and they can print out.

I know texting does most of that but texting doesn't allow me to separate daycare "stuff" all into one separate area/folder and doesn't allow for printing anything exchanged.

I am sure there really is an app or a way to do all that stuff but I'm not computer savvy and I don't like having 12 steps to everything and I don't like complex. I'm old(er) and took typing in school not computer lab. I know shorthand.

I want easy.
Click this or that. Print or save. Yes or no.
Paid or owe. Picture/text. In/Out.
No confusion.

Would email just work for all this? You could just type the receipt in the email, or type it in other software, save it as a pdf, then attach it to the email.
Reply
Ariana 07:25 AM 05-23-2017
I usually create a receipt in word and save it as a PDF and send it through email. I don't have as many clients though!
Reply
Blackcat31 08:14 AM 05-23-2017
Originally Posted by CityGarden:

What are you using / doing for receipts?
Hand written duplicate receipts that most landlords use.
It's time consuming. Parents that request written receipts need specific info to be on the receipts so I have to write child's full name, dates of service provided and full amount paid by parent (full name) and date paid.

Submitting their bank draft or a cancelled check is not acceptable.

Originally Posted by Mom2Two:
Would email just work for all this? You could just type the receipt in the email, or type it in other software, save it as a pdf, then attach it to the email.
Probably but I don't know how... e-mail doesn't offer any of what I need in "form" option (so I can fill in the blanks) unless I create a form/recipt myself in excel and save to pdf or whatever format and I don't know how to do that.
I can do it individually but I want an excel form or format that I can just fill it in.

Ideally, I love it to be something I can easily add to a text message (primary form of communication with parents) but I'd manage it in an e-mail if necessary. But again, I really don't know an "easy" way.

Originally Posted by Ariana:
I usually create a receipt in word and save it as a PDF and send it through email. I don't have as many clients though!
Yeah, I have 16 kids and every one seems to need a receipt for everything and of course, individual kids and/or parents so I can't just write one per family.

With added state requirements, additional QRIS requirements and incredibly helpless parents AND kids now days, I am looking for easy. E.A.S.Y. A couple clicks and SEND. Done.


...'cuz I am swiftly growing weary and lazy.
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hwichlaz 12:49 PM 05-23-2017
An online photo album, like photobucket.
Reply
284878 06:30 PM 05-24-2017
Originally Posted by Blackcat31:
Hand written duplicate receipts that most landlords use.
It's time consuming. Parents that request written receipts need specific info to be on the receipts so I have to write child's full name, dates of service provided and full amount paid by parent (full name) and date paid.

Submitting their bank draft or a cancelled check is not acceptable.


Probably but I don't know how... e-mail doesn't offer any of what I need in "form" option (so I can fill in the blanks) unless I create a form/recipt myself in excel and save to pdf or whatever format and I don't know how to do that.
I can do it individually but I want an excel form or format that I can just fill it in.

Ideally, I love it to be something I can easily add to a text message (primary form of communication with parents) but I'd manage it in an e-mail if necessary. But again, I really don't know an "easy" way.



Yeah, I have 16 kids and every one seems to need a receipt for everything and of course, individual kids and/or parents so I can't just write one per family.

With added state requirements, additional QRIS requirements and incredibly helpless parents AND kids now days, I am looking for easy. E.A.S.Y. A couple clicks and SEND. Done.


...'cuz I am swiftly growing weary and lazy.
I have a receipt that I created in excel that may work for you. You could save a copy for each kid/ family and only change the dates then print. (it set to do 3 per page)
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daycare 07:39 PM 05-24-2017
I love class dojo.
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Blackcat31 07:48 PM 05-24-2017
Originally Posted by 284878:
I have a receipt that I created in excel that may work for you. You could save a copy for each kid/ family and only change the dates then print. (it set to do 3 per page)
YES, please!
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