Daily Report Sheets Feedback

[daycaredaddy]

Here is the QRIS website. It gives a run down of where each state is at in the process and what the state requirements are.

http://www.qrisnetwork.org/qris-state-contacts-map

Thank you! Where exactly are the specific reporting requirements? I can't seem to find them.

[daycaredaddy]

We use Baby Connect in our program. We can customize what we need to log for for each child for instance what we log for an infant would be different for what we log for a toddler. This app saved us a lot of work and keeps the communication going. It lets us message the parents and upload photos to them. The parents love it and have expressed multiple times how nice it is to be able to access it whenever they want. It was not expensive either, $5.

According to their pricing, the app itself is just $5, then there's up to a $89.99 / month fee.

https://www.baby-connect.com/pricing

[daycaredaddy]

as much as i don't want to have to do it, it is soon going to be come required as part of our QRIS. We are in the pilot phase right now and I was handed this spread sheet check off list that we will have to fill out daily. I hate keeping piles of paper and hate having to fill things out. I have 4 ipads in my house, so mounting one by the diaper changing area would be easy to do and that would be the easiest time for us to do it.

Is there anyway you can share a copy of that spreadsheet? I can't seem to find it online. I would want to capture all of that data in order to fully automate the reporting process.

[Blackcat31]

Thank you! Where exactly are the specific reporting requirements? I can't seem to find them.

I am not sure of that, as my state (MN) is no longer in the pilot phase of QRIS and I have already gone through and completed the rating/assessment process and have been awarded 4 stars (max in my state) but we do not have reporting requirements like "Daycare" mentioned....

We are only required to use a approved state observation and assessment method for each child's developmental progress.

We are not required to report any health or daily activities to parents. Some providers in my state do but not because it's required.

For a while I used Cake Child Care software.

https://cakechildcare.com/

I lovethis lovethis it but I stopped using it because there were too many malfunctions happening and of course, it was always during parent check-in and I just don't have time to reboot everything... It got old fast.

As far as features and user friendly, I think it had the potential to be "that one" perfect program for me anyways.

[jenboo]

It seems like each of you would be wary to use such a product because you believe pen and paper is faster. Given how busy you are, I understand. However...

This would be an app that would run on either an iPhone or Android phone, so it would be portable. Also, I think in most cases it could actually be faster than pen and paper (based on the data captured on the sheets from my daycare).

For example, to log a nap, all you would have to do is tap a "down for nap" button, then an "up from nap" button once the child wakes up. The app would automatically record the day and time. Switching between children would be seamless, which would eliminate the need for keeping track of multiple pieces of paper.

If I mockup a prototype design, would anyone be interested in checking it out?

Thank you for all the feedback so far, please keep it coming!

I usually am too busy at the moment to log things right when they happen. It wouldn't be that simple to just click the down for nap then the up for nap button. I usually log the day while I'm waiting for parents to pick up at the end of the day.
I used the Dailey connect app but it was annoying to type everything in or to go back and change all the times for each event of the day.

[jenboo]

According to their pricing, the app itself is just $5, then there's up to a $89.99 / month fee.

https://www.baby-connect.com/pricing

Baby connect and daily connect are the same thing. You just pay the $5 app fee. I never told parents that could get the app. I just had it send the parents an email at the end of the day.

[daycare]

Is there anyway you can share a copy of that spreadsheet? I can't seem to find it online. I would want to capture all of that data in order to fully automate the reporting process.

PM me your email addy and I can send it to you.

[LysesKids]

I don't do daily report.

Me either... as legally license exempt I don't have too and my parents appreciate the one on one conversations more so at pick - I am a SMALL home INFANT childcare and am considered "Nana" by the babies & parents... don't know to many grandparents that fill out reports . And yes I have a discussion with parents every few years asking and so far they like the family feel of my operation.

[daycarediva]

It seems like each of you would be wary to use such a product because you believe pen and paper is faster. Given how busy you are, I understand. However...

This would be an app that would run on either an iPhone or Android phone, so it would be portable. Also, I think in most cases it could actually be faster than pen and paper (based on the data captured on the sheets from my daycare).

For example, to log a nap, all you would have to do is tap a "down for nap" button, then an "up from nap" button once the child wakes up. The app would automatically record the day and time. Switching between children would be seamless, which would eliminate the need for keeping track of multiple pieces of paper.

If I mockup a prototype design, would anyone be interested in checking it out?

Thank you for all the feedback so far, please keep it coming!

Another thought- I am not legally allowed to move my smart phone from it's designated location. I tried an app bc my parents are all big into technology, but then I was running back and forth to the kitchen counter to update my phone. Things got busy one day and I didn't have time to update, and parents were all worried. I even got a phone call "JR IS POTTY TRAINING, HE HASN'T POTTIED SINCE BREAKFAST TIME!?"

Pen and paper is quicker and portable. I can update them (without editing times) at any time of the day.

My state requires timed attendance (paper), health checks (paper), all of my food program menus and attendance for that (paper).

[Blackcat31]

Another thought- I am not legally allowed to move my smart phone from it's designated location. I tried an app bc my parents are all big into technology, but then I was running back and forth to the kitchen counter to update my phone. Things got busy one day and I didn't have time to update, and parents were all worried. I even got a phone call "JR IS POTTY TRAINING, HE HASN'T POTTIED SINCE BREAKFAST TIME!?"

Pen and paper is quicker and portable. I can update them (without editing times) at any time of the day.

My state requires timed attendance (paper), health checks (paper), all of my food program menus and attendance for that (paper).

Also, EVERY observation and assessment course taught in Early Childhood Education teaches us to use pen and paper.

Anecdotal, running record, event sampling, time sampling, rating scale, check list, work sample, portfolios, etc etc.....ALL of them require pen/paper in some form.

[CraftyMom]

Another thought- I am not legally allowed to move my smart phone from it's designated location. I tried an app bc my parents are all big into technology, but then I was running back and forth to the kitchen counter to update my phone. Things got busy one day and I didn't have time to update, and parents were all worried. I even got a phone call "JR IS POTTY TRAINING, HE HASN'T POTTIED SINCE BREAKFAST TIME!?"

Pen and paper is quicker and portable. I can update them (without editing times) at any time of the day.

My state requires timed attendance (paper), health checks (paper), all of my food program menus and attendance for that (paper).

Yes! I used BabyConnect for a short time, but often could not update at the moment things were happening. I do not carry my phone around. I had a parent asking why her child wasn't changed all day long...I had changed the child multiple times, just hadn't recorded it, the children are the priority, not running to my phone to record a poopy.

While I do see how this technology can be great for those who do daily reports, personally I don't like the "convenience" of parents checking it all day. Too many assumptions can be made if things aren't up to the minute, which is HARD with children.

As the OP started out this thread: "I'm overwhelmed taking care of one little person, while you all are responsible for multiple children, every day. As a working parent, kudos and thank you." I would think most parents would find it hard to keep track and document everything their ONE child does all day long, never mind a whole daycare, especially those of us who work alone.

This may be good for a center where they can perhaps take a moment to document, since there are other adults there with the kids.

[blueskiesbutterflies]

I was using a daycare software program that has a template on there to use. I loved it because it does save a copy for the provider as well. I have found this to be helpful because I am unable to remember everything.

Once, I marked that the child needed diapers and the parent came without diapers. During diaper changing I noticed they did not bring them. I called mom and advised her. She said it would be nice if you marked in on the sheet. I advised her it was marked. Well, I went and pulled it up and when she came through the door I showed her it was marked.

I no longer use that program because I just kept messing up the financial end of the program. I do not know if it was me or the program but I was thinking itt was the program.

Right now, I use paper and really wish I could do computer again.

[M&Mgal]

I'm interested, if still in the makings...

I have never done any kind of daily reports, because I HATE, HATE, HATE paperwork (yah, I know... I'm in the wrong profession, !), so I would be VERY interested in this IF it was an app on my iphone (it stays hooked to my hip; most of my dcp communicate with me through it/text) AND it didn't send reports to the parents until the end of the day (say at a pre-set time, that I set?), so that I didn't have an issue with them getting worried if I got busy and forgot to update. I've never even really looked into daily reporting software at all, so I have no idea if there's even any apps out there... (Just came across this post searching for info on Minute Menu)