Daycare Apps?

[BaileeB]

So I will be opening back up in about a month. I’m getting my garage renovated and turned in my “classroom” complete with its own door so I will finally have a dedicated space and I won’t have parents and kids running around my house! I am so excited. I only have one of my previous DCK coming back since DCM was the only one who seemed to be able to follow all of my policies before I closed and I already have 3 interviews set up for new clients, all in the age ranges I’m hoping for. However, this time I want to be more strict with my policies and I feel like it would help tremendously to have an app that I can send invoices, send pictures to the parents, track activities (feeding for infants, etc) and possibly keep track of expenses and things? I’m fine with having multiple apps if needed, one for me to track expenses and things and one for parents. So my question is, What apps or websites or software do you use, what do you like about it and what don’t you like? TIA!

[Alwaysgreener]

I use daily connect for sign in and out plus communication with families. However it has more features that you would like, such as sending photos and invoicing.

I use quicken and spreadsheets for tracking expenses but some here use kidkare for that.

I use Wave for invoicing and Venmo for electronic funds but some here like Zelle for electronic funds.

I use Jotforms to create forms for parents to complete. Such as gathering it the information I needed to complete the food program form for them to sign, about me forms, a wait list form and contact me form. I attached the forms to my website, I use Weebly for my website but some like Wix.

For the past I've also used Wufoo for forms because it allows me to send a copy of the form into both parents and myself.

[BaileeB]

Thank you! That was very helpful! I will look into those you mentioned! Also, is there a reason you use Wave for the invoicing rather than the Daily connect?

[Alwaysgreener]

Wave is free but they do have electronic payment I just use the invoicing, they have other business related forms that are also free including employee paycheck.

The daily connect you have to sign up for electronic payment through them to use invoices. If the parent pays me through them it takes 2 to 3 days plus the weekend to get my money. In my opinion that defeats me getting paid week in advance, because by the time I get my money it's time for them to pay again. This is true with wave also however they don't make me sign up for their electronic payment in order to use the invoicing.

With Venmo, I have my money in the next day. I've also used PayPal and feel like I have access to my money ASAP, even though it means that I would have to spend it using PayPal.

Also the amount of details that you have to give daily connect just to create your billing account was super crazy, I've never had to give that much information for a online account or even a credit card.

[Cat Herder]

I use kidkare for everything tax, meals, hours, time/space %, payments, invoicing, expenses, mileage and documentation. If you fill it out daily and have all payments through it, it will do your taxes for you. $8.00 per month.

I use daily connect for all parent communication; photos, observations, health documentation, milestones, etc. $1.25 per kid, per month.

[Alwaysgreener]

I recently signed up. The new price is $4.99 min (which is about 3-4 kids) then $1.40 per child. Both the packages cost the same but I have to track any adult that is in my home during operating hours (per state rule ---well according to my consultant's interpretation of state rule) So I added my DH as a teacher and log him in and out. So I now have the professional plan, which has some extra features that the premium plan does not have.

[Blackcat31]

Tons of threads on apps for providers to track all the things you mentioned

https://www.daycare.com/forum/tags.php?tag=apps