Blog

Perhaps one of the most debated ways in which technology can help nursery staff carry out their day job relates to time.

As most people in the industry know, there are often never enough hours during the working window to get everything done. And it is no secret that the sector – even before the pressures of the COVID-19 outbreak – has been under the strain of a staffing crisis.

So, how is – and how can – digital solutions help to increase efficiency, reduce stress and maximise the time dedicated to child development?

From billing and funding, to observations and assessments, the inner workings of a nursery are complex. Like any machine, the parts and processes need to be well oiled if it is going to run smoothly and successfully.

Technology, in the simplest sense, can automate many of the previously paper-based tasks – such as registrations and permissions – to reduce admin time, minimise room for error and increase the level of child security.

All too often, the practices which don’t have digital operations are still working from overcrowded filing cabinets and long-form spreadsheets, which, if not correct and up to date at all times, can cause all kinds of admin and data protection issues which require additional time to remedy.

For instance, if a parent has told room leaders they would like to change their child’s session bookings, this will likely be noted on the register at the time of conversation. But within a busy, fast-paced environment, this is not always directly – and immediately – communicated with the office team. As a result, the parent is then billed on what the original bookings were. This means the team must then reverse-engineer the bill – amending it on the system and redoing the fees – taking up further time and resource, which could have been avoided if the billing was digitised.  

Ultimately, it is important to remember that when it comes to the administrative side of childcare, while documentation should undoubtedly be completed fully and correctly, it should not feel like a burden to busy staff. Instead, it should be quick and time-friendly.

After all, the professionals within this sector are there because they are passionate about working with and developing children, not because they love paperwork.