Five reasons why Kidsoft?s partner integration strategy is a winning solution for the childcare sector

Kidsoft, the Australian early learning sector’s leading childcare software platform, offers a unique integration model that enables customers to integrate some of the sector’s best-known software solutions into their existing Kidsoft platform. 

In recent weeks the number of integration partners has jumped to eight with the inclusion of leading workforce management software provider Human Force and compliance management platform 1Place Childcare joining a host of other providers such as Storypark, ChildcareCRM, KindyHub, KindyNow and more.  

Unlike other childcare management platforms, some of which offer all in one solutions, Kidsoft has an integration ready platform that drives better outcomes for owners, managers, children and families, and is the go-to destination for providers who want the ability to choose what features their platform offers.

Kidsoft’s integration strategy is dynamic and constantly evolving and provides the following key benefits to service managers looking for a ‘best of breed’ solution.

1. Empowering customers to make their own choices

As the number of all-in-one CCMS software providers continues to increase, Kidsoft stands out as the only leading platform that remains committed to providing its customers with the ability to choose which software partners they prefer to partner with, as opposed to being forced to use features embedded in an existing all in one solution. 

Choice is key to the Kidsoft integration strategy and remains a decisive factor as to why partnering with Kidsoft ensures better outcomes for owners, managers, children and families.

2. Facilitating the creation of curated ecosystems

With the ability to choose from a range of integration partners comes the ability to curate a customised ecosystem across each service that reflects specific priorities and ensures the best outcomes are achieved for children, families and team members. 

For example, a service that is particularly focused on improving occupancy metrics would welcome the opportunity to connect their Kidsoft platform with a leading lead management solution enabling them to streamline the customer journey more effectively.

A service that is less focused on occupancy but particularly focused on parent engagement would see the multiple benefits of connecting their Kidsoft platform to their parent engagement platform of choice.

By utilising Kidsoft integrations owners and managers can take control of their software solutions and ensure that what they have is precisely what they want.

3. Ensuring only sector leading solutions are being accessed 

Another key benefit of the integration ready strategy is that it ensures that customers not only have choice but are also guaranteed quality. 

Only the ECEC sector’s leading providers are included on the Kidsoft integration partner list having undergone rigorous due diligence and testing by the Kidsoft integration teams. 

The result is the best of the best can be accessed by the Kidsoft customer community, a benefit that an all-in-one platform could never match.

4. Guaranteeing new innovations are included in real time 

The importance of innovation has never been as paramount as it has during 2020, with changes forced upon the ECEC sector by COVID-19 having created a range of new organisational and operational imperatives that are ‘must haves’ to ensure outcomes continue to improve. 

The Kidsoft integration strategy supports the customer’s ability to remain connected to important innovations through their integration partners, all of which are 100 per cent focussed on ensuring their products are ahead of the innovation curve, and providing users with the best solutions on the market.

5. Removing the need to engage separately with multiple service providers 

By connecting Kidsoft directly to other platforms a streamlined eco-system is created across which information can flow freely and with ease.

As a direct result users will not need to enter information into one system and then re-enter it into another, instead benefitting from synchronisation functionality that automatically transfers information across platforms.

And finally, not only will the integrations improve outcomes and productivity, they could also save money as discounts and incentives are now available for Kidsoft users opting to sign up new integration software partners through the Kidsoft platform.

“We are really proud of our commitment to providing our customers with choice through our integration strategy,” Kidsoft CEO Di Girvin said, outlining that giving customers the ability to connect to the best of the best solution providers in the childcare sector from the Kidsoft platform “is essential to ensuring they are fully supported to meet their objectives and priorities.”

To learn more about Kidsoft’s ‘best of breed’ integration strategy, its integration partners and what incentives and discounts are available for new sign ups please click here.

Introducing ChildcareCRM, a Kidsoft Integration Partner

Two ladies smiling at young girl

Did you know that Kidsoft has partnered with the early childhood education and care (ECEC) sector’s leading customer relationship management (CRM) platform and that all Kidsoft users can access their full suite of CRM tools through a seamless and easily completed integration? 

Kidsoft and ChildcareCRM recently announced a new partnership that will bring together two of the sector’s best known brands with the intention of creating a more efficient childcare ecosystem to support services in their family lead management processes. 

ChildcareCRM has a long history of working in the Australian ECEC sector and pioneered the sector’s first dedicated lead management software solution. 

Working on the premise that effective communication and engaging and building relationships with parents and families, right from the time of initial contact with an ECEC service, has always been a crucial element of maintaining high levels of occupancy and customer satisfaction, the company has helped hundreds of services across Australia improve their operational performance. 

Through an intuitive and easy to use interface service managers are able to gather new leads from a range of different sources ensuring that all opportunities to engage with families are maximised, which then empowers them to more effectively coordinate the parent’s journey to enrolment.  

The collaboration leverages ChildcareCRM’s trusted platform to engage those parents and build relationships, as well as using the power of Kidsoft’s CCS Childcare Management solution, which offers a range of integrated tools including parent solutions, secure payment gateway, enrolment tools, attendance tracking and booking management.

By bringing the two platforms together service managers can be confident that they have an end to end solution that will not only improve the parent experience, but also the experience of educators by creating more time to focus on other important tasks.

So how does the integration work? 

Connect to ChildcareCRM Using an application program interface or API, the Kidsoft team will connect your account to your ChildcareCRM account. 

Data Imported – Kidsoft will then automatically sync all of your ChildcareCRM waitlist data, creating records that are ready to be offered as an enrolment to enrolling families. 

Parents enrol Kidsoft will then prompt the enrolling family to create a secure iParentPortal account in its online enrolment facility iEnrol, and then request an online enrolment form to be completed. This will then be sent back to Kidsoft and the enrolment will be processed. 

Leads tracked – All leads that are captured can be tracked using the live insight dashboards in both Kidsoft and ChildcareCRM enabling service managers the ability to evaluate conversion rates and enrolment progression.

“It’s imperative that to build longevity and to create ‘best of breed’ childcare centres that put children first, a collaborative approach with experts in this space is used.” Di Girvin, Kidsoft CEO, explained. 

Childcare CRM CEO, Matt Amoia, agreed, sharing the team’s excitement about joining with Kidsoft “to streamline the technology a service uses to engage and communicate with families, while also creating efficiency in their day-to-day operations on the backend.”

To learn more about the ChildcareCRM integration and their exclusive sign up offer visit the Kidsoft integrations page on the Kidsoft website by clicking here or contact your Kidsoft support desk representative. 

A Connected Community

A Connected Community

Throughout the many years I’ve been working with Kidsoft I’ve had the opportunity to meet many extraordinary and engaged people, they’re all driven by the same unique spirit. All passionate about early childhood development. Powerful. Impactful. Proud of who they are. Proud of the industry they are in. Proud of what they’ve accomplished. I am very pleased to celebrate this pride by bringing together our community, Kidsoft’s community, of exceptional, inspiring educators.

Di Girvin signature
girl getting temperature taken

Top 10 Illnesses Keeping Children Absent From Childcare

girl getting temperature taken

We’ve swiftly reached this year’s winter months which is typically a time when infections, viruses and bugs become most prominent. During last year’s winter months (2019), KindyNow tracked and recorded over 11,000 childcare bookings that were marked as absent due to illness, as well as the illnesses that were contracted.

From common viruses to irritating symptoms, there were over 70 different illnesses and symptoms of illness recorded for absent bookings. KindyNow have since reviewed this data to identify the top 10 most common illnesses that prevented children from attending their childcare service.

The top 10 most common illnesses recorded were:

1. Common Cold
2. Fever
3. Cough
4. Conjunctivitis
5. Influenza (Flu)
6. Viral Infection (Other)
7. Hand, Foot and Mouth
8. Ear Infection
9. Gastroenteritis (Gastro)
10. Vomiting

Collectively, the top ten accounted for up to 61% of the absent bookings.

Why it’s important to identify infectious illnesses early.
It’s incredibly important to identify in advance which illnesses are likely to impact your service so you can effectively prepare your staff and resources. When you’re better prepared you can successfully work towards minimising potential health risks and preventing an outbreak, which could force your families into being absent from childcare.

Over 150,000 childcare bookings have already been notified as absent with KindyNow in 2020 and as we navigate through unprecedented times with the recent outbreak of the coronavirus there has been a huge spike in absences and this figure continues to grow.

Now, it is more important than ever to ensure you have strong control and prevention strategies in place and your families are familiar with your strategy so they too can help you minimise the impact and spread of infectious illnesses.

For advice and tips on how you can ensure your service is meeting the National Quality Standards in minimising risk and protecting children from infection read the full article from KindyNow here.

KindyNow, a certified Kidsoft partner, is Australia’s most used childcare booking App, helping centres increase their occupancy and efficiency while improving their service offering. Learn more about KindyNow and how they can assist your business by clicking here.
Kidsoft Blog Toddle Little Monsters eBook

Free eBook – The Boogers 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.

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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Kidsoft and Storypark Team Up!

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Kidsoft and Storypark have teamed up to help Educators across Australia!
Kidsoft and Storypark are excited to be teaming up to take the stress out of teaching. Kidsoft users can now set up a Storypark community through Kidsoft. Set up a new Storypark community through Kidsoft by 30 June 2016 and you’ll receive three (3) months Storypark FREE! A 25% saving!

Storypark is a certified Kidsoft partner. Leading educators across Australia are using Storypark to engage parents, strengthen practice, support professional development, streamline assessment and rating processes, and improve their NQS ratings. Learn more about Storypark and how they can assist your business by clicking here.