Childcare Management Systems | Literature Review

baby handle charge Systems publications ReviewCHAPTER 2 LITERATURE REVIEW2.0 OVERVIEWLiterature reviews be conducted in regulate to fully visualise a paper being researched abtaboo. By doing so, we could define and establish our area of study, as in my topic tike care counsel schemas. Reviews are d unity on vivacious bodys by explore how animated tiddlercare or daycare meanings counseling establishments expect been introduced, utilize and evolved. Comparisons of the systems are make for better assureing of systems functions. Advantages and disadvantages of the systems harbour to be understood as wellspring. Section 2.1 depicts background study of trine existing childcare heed systems which are analyzed for better understand of this project. Section 2.2 summarizes the proposed system which ordain be knowing and developed on later stages of this project. The features scram been tabulated in T sufficient 2.1.2.1 BACKGROUND STUDY at present the need of day care and childcare midpoints are increasing due to working put forwards and need of proper care of children. The caution has to be efficient to fete up with these demands. In order to puff the work done in the focus ons, proprietors purchase or subscribe childcare escapement system package. on that point are so many different types and quality aim of childcare performment system computer software in the trade. Even though from apiece one of them is employ for similar purpose that is to manage a daycare focalizes notwithstanding the design of functions and implementations of the systems are different. A system that provides only important functions take by childcare centers ordain be the top priority in the determineet. Following existing systems throw away a bun in the oven been choosing for comparison because they nonplus higher market value and many customers favor them. In order to understand the similarities and differences of existing systems in differ ent platform as well, comparison have been made between fully web based system, software based system and mobile application based system. Exploring the systems have been done by understand fully how the systems works and finally list out the advantages and disadvantages.2.1.1 Centers Online (https//www.centresonline.com/index)Centers online is an online childcare management system designed for both long and short day care centers. Centers Online provides childcare swear outs with simple and easy to use online software for day-after-day reporting and communication needs. The locate modifyd continually and modified to ease exploiters needs.The management system besides helps every name owns frequent up find outs about their child instantly. Centers Online provides a login interface for childcare centers and parents that is easy to use allowing parents to continually be aware of their childrens activities. Centers Online applications are available for all smartphones and table ts.Centers Online is designed to be used by three types of users which are admin/ owner of the childcare centers, teachers and parents. all(a) of the users have their own login ids and viewing summon.The owner tidy sum assenting, view, create users and create rooms. They also post manage pull downts and contact parents.Teachers can update all cultivation regarding children in their room such as feeding schedule, activities, performance, health tick off and etc.Parents get instant update regarding their children. They can view day by day activities, update parent profile, view event expand and view pictures uploaded by teachers of their children. formula 2.1 shows user management page w here(predicate) the owner or admin of the childcare center manages users profile such as registration of students, parents profile and assigning teachers to ramifyes. The panel on left side transcends access to all functions for users. foreshadow 2.1 Display of User Management summon com mon fig tree 2.2 shows the group permission page which grants owner or admin of childcare center to categorize users and their level of permissions on using the service. For instance, parents have limited access on site and more focus in viewing childrens update. Senior teachers have additional permissions since they have extra work to be done compared to new-sp postg(prenominal) teachers. name 2.2 Display of Group Permission rogueFigure 2.3 shows children management page where all profile of children testament be managed. Teachers and sometimes owners will assign children to classes according to their ages here. Status of students can be viewed here. All reports can be saved as pdf and excel files for reference or publish out.Figure 2.3 Display of Children Management PageFigure 2.4 shows the calendar in schedule management of the system. All the activities that are carried out in the daycare center are recorded in the calendar. Upcoming events will be marked as well for easy r eference and updates. Admin and teachers can access and view all the events and activities carried out on particular day. Parents besides have access to view marked activities by teachers for their children. Parents will not get along behind knowing important dates of events.Figure 2.4 Display of Calendar PageAdvantagesEasy to use GUI (graphical user interface)The user interface is hail-fellow-well-met and understandable.free access via website to parents accountParents who render with childcare that use Centers Online will get free access to get updates from the center.no server inevitableNo server and IT maintenance needed since it is web based software. The service supplier maintains all the data and all data are secured.register and useThe childcare center owner that is interested using this system simply registers with the service provider and start using.application for smartphones and tabletsThe service provider also has created application for devices such as smartphon es in order to give an easy access and portability for users.Disadvantagescompulsory need of internet connectionSince it is a web-based software system internet connection needed in order to use the service provided and no offline option is given for the users to work offline.2.1.2 The Pre-School fellow (http//www.on-qsoftware.com/pspscreens.html)The Pre-School Partner is a software-based childcare management system. The software is available for a single PC or buyer could choose to take a package contains of license key for up to 20 in-person computers which tagged as Network (1- 20). The software is obtained by either getting an induction CD or e-mail link to download and install.It facilitates the daily functions andmanagementof the center by tracking and instantly making available all family, child and staff related information. It is complete and up to date with emergency contacts, guardians, drivel off/pick up contacts, family and children notes, medical information, vacci nation management, complaint, accounts receivable, remote depot logging and child scheduling and attendance. All the reports are easy to manage and printable for additional purpose. The software also has feature to manage staffs. The owner can keep track of staffs training histories.Figure 2.5 shows children registration page where owner or staff at childcare center can register new children with the system. Childrens full lucubrate such as full name, age and family information required for registration. forecast of registered children will be uploaded in the profile as well.Figure 2.5 Display of Children Registration PageFigure 2.6 shows family or sponsor info page where all compass points of parents or sponsor are added such as contact details and address. pointedness about particular people not permitted to be shutdown to children added here as well to increase awareness of management. All records of drift off off and pick up are keyed in here as well.Figure 2.6 Display of Family/Sponsor Info PageFigure 2.7 shows guardians detail page where all information of child parents registered with the daycare center will be recorded and updated regularly. Contact details of parents given sizeableness in order to get hold of them in grapheme of emergency. Picture of the parent will be added as well.Figure 2.7 Display of Guardians Detail PageFigure 2.8 shows invoice record page where all invoices for the parents or sponsor of children registered recorded. All details of payments such as dates, amount and naming will be recorded accordingly for easier reference and record keeping.Figure 2.8 Display of Invoice PageAdvantagesuser friendly screensThe GUI (graphical user interface) of the software is designed well by placing all the essential keys and buttons in easy accessible and understandable way.larger scale of choice, more diminutive and more functionalThe software provides all essential functions that needed to run a daycare center. User has the option to choose use functions only they required.work can be done offline (online only needed for bedim backup and sync)No internet connection needed to use pre-school furnishDisadvantagesone software one pcThe software is limited to one private computer unless the owner buys a network package. Even though the network package consists of a maximum of 20 key licenses for personal computers the portability of the software is still limited.sever maintenanceThe server of the software installed has to be maintained regularly. The files saved have to be fragmented to remove corked sectors. Firewall, virus and spyware protection needs regular review and management. miniskirtmum requirementsThe software installed needs hardware specifications that meets its minimum requirements in order to function well and fully.Operating System Windows XP Professional (Service Pack 2)Processor Pentium 4 with Hyper-Threading, 2GHz ride 512MB minimumDisk Capacity 80GB2.1.3 Tadpoles (http//www.frogsquared. com)Tadpoles is a web-based application aided childcare management system. The use of smartphone application is integrated with the system for easy and potent use. Tadpoles is revolutionizing the childcare market by helping to streamline operations and parent communication finished mobile technology. Tadpoles focuses more on the importance of parent involvement in the learning process.Teachers are able to share pictorial matters and videos to parents throughout the day. They could record meals, activities, naps and more to daily reports. Teachers also could prepare lesson plans up to quaternity weeks ahead.Directors are able to view real time counts per class. They can manage classroom, children and employees. All the pictures and videos teachers send to parents have to be approved by directors or owners. They can view charts and graphs of reports on children progress under their care. They are able to send official letters to parents and emergency alerts as well.Parents can ga ther in daily update of their children via electronic mail. They can download and share the photos and videos of their children. In crusade of emergency, they will receive text message first before unless notice for a head start. Parents also can view their childrens profile using mobile application provided and they also able to mark their child sick or on vacation.Figure 2.9 shows classroom page in tadpoles application where teachers can view all the children in their class accordingly. The children will be categorized by their age. Teachers can choose and update information on children from here. They could edit notes for their teachings and send photo to parents as well.Figure 2.9 Classroom PageFigure 2.10 shows children profile page where a childrens profile can be viewed by selecting a child. All detail about meal taken, sleeping time and activities done by children will be added here by the teacher. They can tag category of the child for easier reference.Figure 2.10 Childr en Profile PageFigure 2.11 shows the dashboard which offers a pass view of the activity in the center. The classroom counts, attendance, and parent communications updates in real time without refreshing. The owners or directors can view the update anyplace and anytime.Figure 2.11 Live DashboardFigure 2.12 shows communication page where owner can notify all parents by text messages in case of emergency, school closings or other urgent messages. This method is effective and tumultuous compare to single notification.Figure 2.12 Communication PanelFigure 2.13 shows email snapshot parents receive from the daycare center with all current detail of their children, activities they are doing, sleeping times, meals and more. Pictures that are taken for their children during activities are attached as well. Parents are able to get update on their children anywhere anytime through their email.Figure 2.13 Display of Parent EmailAdvantageschildren information up to date for parents via emailTe achers and owners update childrens profile throughout the day by updating profile, uploading pictures and updating schedules. Parents get the updates via their email and mobile application.application for teachersThe designed application is easy to use and give better functionalities for teachers in carrying out their daily activities. All details of children, schedule and study plans can be accessed almost instantly.live view and real time updating for directors and ownersThe directors and owners are up to date with activities carried out in centers and childrens statuses. All without software installations and no per-user licenses. They can check on things easily and securely even while away from the center.portableSince it is an application on device, it gives more portability to teachers. All childrens attendance and emergency details are within teachers kitchen range when they bring children to playground or field trip. Pictures and videos taken can be uploaded instantly.Disad vantageslimitation of devices can be usedThe application is only designed for apple products with IOS. The teachers are encouraged to use devices such as ipad mini or ipad only for easy access and portability.2.2 PROPOSED SYSTEMThe proposed childcare center management system is a web-based system that has all the features stated in postpone 2.1. The name of the system would be Kool-Child Childcare Management System. Kool-Child provides all functions needed to manage a childcare or daycare center efficiently. With Kool-Child, child care centers are able to record down feedings, nursing, milestones, activities children are doing such as playing, sleeping and others. Apart from that, they are allowed to make photo galleries of the children. Parents will be updated with all their children information. Kool-Child provides tuition/billing management as well. The billing is done automatically with little information about chargers and individual childs program. With Kool-Child, owner of t he childcare center will be able to manage employee profile by record and update personal details of employee. Parents also will be able to log in into Kool-Child with limited access to view their childrens schedule. Kool-Child also will have chat space where all parents could share ideas and get to know each other. Kool-Child will also provide simple tutorials on how to use the system for the customers. Customer support is also available to assist customer and receive feedbacks.Table 2.1 traces ComparisonFEATURESCenters OnlinePre-School PartnerTadpolesKool-Child1Classroom andSchedule ManagementX2Food Programrecords3Immunization RecordsX4Daily ActivitiesPlanning5Photo Gallery6Billing ManagementXX7Online RegistrationXX8Employee DatabaseXX9Customer fend for10Parents UpdateX11Reports ManagementNew Feature12Chat SpaceXXXTable 2.1 shows the comparison in features of Centers Online, Pre-School Partner, Tadpoles and the proposed system Kool-Child. All three existing systems have importan t features which are classroom management, food program records, photo gallery and customer support. Pre-School Partner is only a system among three that has billing management and employee management features which needed by most childcare centers to ease their workload. Chat space is an additional feature that will be implemented in Kool-Child. All twelve features will be integrated in Kool-Child to maximize functionality of the system.