In a rush? Here’s a quick breakdown:
If you’re reading this, you’re either finally ready to make the leap from paper to digital, or you are considering changing to a new childcare management software. We want to make sure you find the best one for you and your center.
So, where should you start?
Of course, you could start with the technical side of things — like whether the software’s reliable, easy to use, and efficient. After all, if you can’t figure out how all the tools and features within the software work, then it can end up being more trouble than it’s worth.
You should definitely look for a childcare app that feels somewhat intuitive and familiar. Like Famly’s direct messaging, or Newsfeed feature which are similar to popular social media platforms like Instagram or Facebook.
Or, for those who are not as active on social media, look for a childcare software that has a very hands-on support team that offers consistent one-on-one training, especially during onboarding - but not only during onboarding!
In the case of child care management software, it’s worth thinking about whether the provider is only invested in the technical aspect of things, or if they truly seem committed to early childhood education, too.
Take a look at their website, their social media presence, their blog, and user reviews. As you do that, keep an eye out for these key features:
A childcare software is more than just a technology to help automate and streamline your tasks. We’ve got to look at it from a pedagogical angle too.
How do these digital management tools help you upkeep the values you hold as an early childhood educator? Will all the features in the platform make it easier for you to give children the experiences you value most, and that will result in successful skill development? What else do you get when you become a customer? Free articles and activity ideas? A bigger sense of community? That all in one solution is bigger than the software.
These sorts of resources can give you (and your team) new inspiration and ideas to use in your classroom, and to develop your own center. But beyond that, they also speak to the software provider’s investment in early education. Are they here just to provide the system, or are they really thinking more about how children learn, and how we can give children the best early years experience?
Some of these additional resources might be:
As you research your options, it’s worth visiting each provider’s website to explore what resources and information they have to offer, and how recent and relevant it is.
By this I mean, the best childcare app is one that lets you and your staff do all of your day-to-day tasks in one platform. Even more, it should be cloud-based, so that it is updated in real-time across all devices (desktop computers, laptops, tablets, and mobile smartphones).
An all-in-one childcare app is definitely the best option out there. Let me explain what I mean…
As an owner or administrator, you’ve got to remember that this childcare software isn’t just for you, but should boost efficiency in a variety of areas within your center with different needs, and therefore will gain different benefits.
If the tools you’re using don’t consider everybody’s needs, that’s a sign you should keep looking for a better fit.
As you review different apps and try to find the best one for your childcare center, remember to think about the different people that will benefit from the childcare management software: the administrators, educators, parents and children.
Once you’ve compared and reviewed enough softwares and have chosen which one you think is best for your center, the next step is to book a demo.
You can consider this your personal introduction to the platform — you’ll be able to speak one-on-one with a representative, ask questions, and see how these tools help save you and your staff hours each day, and complete all of your tasks more efficiently.
Once you’ve got a demo or conversation scheduled, it’s important to come prepared. These are some of the key questions we would recommend, so you can get a better picture of what this provider’s about, and how they’ll help you in the short term as well as the long run.
These are just simple questions, but I think you’ll be thrilled and shocked (in a great way!) when you hear all the ways a childcare app can benefit your childcare business.
A more extensive list of features and questions to ask when reviewing childcare apps can be found here.
Hopefully you now have what you need to make a confident choice on the childcare software that’s best for you. And if you’re already looking around — why not start with Famly?
Please note: here at Famly we love sharing creative activities for you to try with the children at your setting, but you know them best. Take the time to consider adaptions you might need to make so these activities are accessible and developmentally appropriate for the children you work with. Just as you ordinarily would, conduct risk assessments for your children and your setting before undertaking new activities, and ensure you and your staff are following your own health and safety guidelines.
Get a guided 1-on-1 tour of the whole platform. See what features are the best fit for you, and ask us as many questions as you like.
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