Konnect dashboard

Kidsoft Konnect: The future of childcare management software is here

 

 

Konnect is here and we couldn’t be more excited to share it with you!  

Kidsoft Konnect isn’t just an update; it’s a revolutionary shift in childcare management. This transformative solution has been designed to make managing your ECEC service even more intuitive, efficient, and powerful. Konnect transforms Kidsoft into a comprehensive full-service solution, building on the foundation of our existing iCheckin feature. 

What’s Under the Hood?  

Kidsoft Konnect features a fresh and user-friendly design, ensuring a smooth experience for both staff and guardians. But it’s so much more than that! A wave of enhanced features will be built into the platform, making Kidsoft your ultimate childcare management solution. 


A Glimpse into the Future  

Get ready for an exhilarating roadmap ahead – here’s a sneak peek of some of what’s to come: 

Incident Reporting: A brand-new feature to Kidsoft, Konnect will encompass a comprehensive incident reporting solution. Coming in Q1, 2024! 

Child Management: Access child medical details and emergency contacts, providing critical information at your fingertips. Coming Q1, 2024! 

Enhanced Security Clearance: Purpose-built security clearances with custom checklists, ensuring compliance and peace of mind. 

Staff Sign In/Out: An eagerly awaited feature adding an extra layer of security and efficiency to your operations. 

 

 

What’s Next? 

We’re not stopping here! These innovative features are just the beginning. Throughout 2024, we’re committed to transforming Kidsoft into an even more comprehensive and integrated solution that exceeds your expectations. 

Transitioning from iCheckin  

Konnect is set to replace iCheckin on March 31, 2024. The transition is seamless— no new logins are required for your staff or guardians. Just use the new URL, enter your Service PIN, and you’re good to go! 

Ready to explore the power of Konnect?  

 

Elf on shelf

Count down to Christmas…with Elf on a Shelf!

Today, marks the first day of December, this means in some families, the Christmas tree is up, the carols are playing on repeat, Santa letters have been sent, the shops are busy and ‘Elf on the Shelf’ returns

The Elf on the shelf has become such a popular tradition for the count down to Christmas. Children enjoy waking up to find what their Elf has been up to and parents are frantically setting alarms to remember to move the Elf after they have found their latest idea on Pinterest.

Elf on the shelf has also become a popular game in school classrooms and childcare centres. If you have never done Elf on the Shelf, there is no better time than now to get involved.

For those that do not know how Elf on the Shelf works, the concept is each night the Elf flies home to the North Pole and reports to ‘Santa’ how the children were. Every day until Christmas Eve, the Elf finds a new place and the children must find him, often the Elf is getting up to mischief, the children seem to like when the Elf is naughty! The Elf is magic and can’t be touched or else it loses all its magic.

Positives of having an Elf

  • It creates a feeling of excitement for children each day
  • Siblings or classroom peers can brainstorm and create a name for the Elf together.
  • The Elf can be used to encourage good behaviour by reporting daily updates to the North Pole

Kidsoft has 4 fun ideas you can use in your classroom, childcare service, or in your family home.

Elf on shelf

Covered in stickers

What you need:

  • Stickers

Instructions:

  • Cover the Elf the stickers (you can use any type of sticker)
  • Place Elf somewhere, where it can be found
  • Leave sticker sheet on the Elf.
elf on shelf

Do you want to build a snowman?

What you need:

  • Toilet paper rolls
  • Black/Orange cardboard

Instructions:

  • Stack toilet paper rolls
  • Using the cardboard, cut out shapes for eyes, mouth & nose
  • Place Elf through the top of the toilet rolls
elf on shelf idea

Warm and Toasty

What you need

  • 2 pieces of toast
  • a plate
  • a small piece of paper to create note

Instructions:

  • Cook toast
  • Put the Elf inbetween the toast on a plate
  • Create note (see image)
Elf on shelf

How many copies?

What you need

  • A photocopier
  • Paper

Instructions:

  • Using the photocopier, take different copies of the Elf
  • Hang the photocopy pages around the house or classroom

Time to say goodbye…

The Elf becomes apart of your life for several weeks, whether this is in the classroom, childcare centre, or your family home and therefore it is always nice to do a proper send-off.

Depending on family traditions, the Elf either says goodbye on Christmas Eve, leaving room for Santa to arrive or on Christmas morning after helping Santa deliver the toys.

Although it seems most parents sigh over Elf on the Shelf, it certainly brings families lots of joy and laughter during the festive season.  So, if you haven’t yet got an Elf, why don’t you join in on this tradition.

Happy Elf on the Shelfing…only 24 more sleeps to go!

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    Halloween Blog Post 2020

    Easy Halloween Crafts

    Halloween Blog Post 2020

    There is nothing quite like Halloween, that one day a year that everyone loves to dress up in a scary costume, families carve their pumpkins and prepare to go trick-or-treating.

    Halloween has become a popular event with children across the country. Children love creating their costume many weeks in advance and decorating their homes in scary Halloween decorations. I know my children do!

    Kidsoft has 5 Quick and Easy Halloween craft ideas; they say anyone can make, probably even me. These activities are the perfect way to get spooky!

    This will keep the children busy and engaged and feel a sense of accomplishment. It can often be tempting and much quicker to jump in and help children complete an activity. However, it is better to keep a distance and let children learn and encourage them to follow a series of instructions, this allows children to develop a variety of skills like problem solving and experimentation.

    Halloween Rock Magnets

    What you will need:

    • Small rocks
    • Paint
    • Paint markers
    • Strong adhesive
    • Clear coat (optional)

    Scary Paper Bats

    What you will need:

    • Paper bat template
    • Black Cardboard
    • Bowls for tracing
    • Pencil
    • Scissors
    • Googly eyes
    • White crayon
    • Glue
    Create Now
    Create Now

    Halloween Spider Slime 

    What you will need:

    • 2 bottles of clear school glue
    • 2 cups of water
    • 1 cup liquid starch
    • ¼ cup glitter
    • ¼ Halloween spider confetti

    Pool Noodle Pumpkins

    What you will need:

    • Orange pool noodle
    • Wide Craft sticks
    • Green pipe cleaner
    • Black sharpie
    • Knife
    Create Now
    Create Now

    Make Your Own Spider Web

    What you will need:

    • Popsicle sticks
    • Glue
    • Halloween paint colours
    • Wool- black, white, orange
    • Scissors

    We hope this has encouraged your children to be inspired to create some boo-tiful art creations.

    No matter what your favourite part of Halloween is, remember that the quality family time together is the best treat of all

    HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

    .

    Create Now
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      Australian Children Books Celebrating Diversity

      Australian Children Picture Books that Celebrate Diversity

      Australian Children Picture Books that Celebrate Diversity

      Books play an important role as mirrors for children: these stories and characters will affect how they see themselves and the world around them, their motivation to read, and their aspirations for the future. In a country as multicultural as Australia, it’s vital that we offer children an opportunity to see realities and experiences different from their own.

      The National Centre for Australian Children’s Literature introduced Australia’s first database of culturally diverse children’s books in June last year. The collection has been curated by experts and judged on the quality of writing and illustration, the readability and the strength of content. Stories selected for the database encourage readers to “walk in another’s shoes” and gain an understanding of cultures other than their own.

      Included in the database are picture books, nursery rhymes, plays, short stories and novels. Key story concepts include empathy, family, kindness, resilience and respect. Here are some of our favourites.

      First Day, Margaret Wild
      A story about the first day at school for several children from diverse backgrounds.
      Room on our Rock, Kate Temple and Jol Temple
      Two seals are sitting on a rock. When others need shelter, do they share it? This book shows there are two sides to every story.
      Being Agatha, Anna Pignatare
      In this simple picture book allegory about being different, Agatha enters kindergarten where all of the students resemble various animals.
      Speak Chinese Fang Fang, Sally Rippin
      This book tells the story of Fang Fang who was born in China but came to Australia at a very young age.
      Dancing the Boom Cha-Cha Boogie, Narelle Oliver
      An allegorical story about identity and being from another culture, introducing children to the treatment of refugees.
      Little School, Beth Norling
      This book presents a day in the lives of twenty four-year-old children of various cultures attending preschool.
      I Love Me, Sally Morgan
      This picture book captures two Aboriginal children with their proud message in rhythmic prose of self-esteem and celebration of individuality.
      In The City I See, Tori-Jay Mordey
      This colourful picture book shows the diversity to be found in Australian cities.
      Pea Pod Lullaby, Glenda Millard
      An evocative, rhythmic lullaby of a mother, baby, boy and dog who flee in a boat and travel across the sea.
      An Aussie Year, Tania McCartney
      Journey through a year with five culturally diverse Australian kids as they experience cultural celebrations, traditions and life.
      I Love You, Xiao Mao
      Little Badger learns to say, ?I love you? in many languages and the full page illustrations in this picture book show him saying this to all he comes across.
      Archie The Bear, Zanni Louise
      The two main characters learn about being open to others and seeing things they have in common despite their differences.
      Ten Little Fingers and Ten Little Toes, Mem Fox
      Each baby in this book is from a different culture or background and raised in different circumstances, but they all share something in common.
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        Kidsoft Blog Toddle Little Monsters eBook

        Free eBook – The Boogers Are Coming!

        Kidsoft Blog Toddle Little Monsters Are Coming

        Our clever friends at Toddle have created a great, free resource to help explain the COVID-19 pandemic to young children. Introducing the Toddle Little Monsters story: The Boogers are Coming.

        Confusion is a feeling shared by most during this pandemic and whilst the world adjusts to a new normal, children can be left wondering what on earth is going on?

        Toddle’s Little Monster characters are based on the six children’s personality archetypes and, amongst other things, aim to educate children about germs, how they spread and how they can stay healthy so that they feel empowered. From Jampa, who is caring and friendly, to Morph who is wild and tenacious, each little monster aims to connect with your child and be a relatable voice to explain the COVID-19 world.

        You can download and share ‘The Boogers Are Coming’ with your family and friends via the below link.

        Toddle have also created a colouring in version of the book so your little ones can bring it to life with their own flair.

        “Our aim with the e-book and animation is to alleviate any worries about COVID-19 in a fun and positive way and help parents communicate with their children in a language they understand.” said Arthur, Toddle CEO.

        Find out more about each of the Little Monsters and download more colouring in sheets here.

        Read eBook
        Colour in eBook

        Free for parents to use, Toddle has every child care centre in Australia on the platform and promises to revolutionise the way parents search, interact with and ultimately choose a child care centre.

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