Safety underlies everything we do with children so we invested in a state of the art computer check-in system that provides protection, silent pagers for parents while they are away from their children and keeps our records up to date. Families will need to check-in at touch screen monitors when arriving and before children go to their rooms.
How to Check Your Children
In and Out
A detailed description with pictures is available by clicking on the links to the left.
Check-In Process
1.Touch "Child In."
2.Scan Finger ID pad.
3.Select guardian.
4.Select each child.
5.Touch "Next."
6.Scan pager if prompted and turn on, or press "Finish."
7.Remove name tags from printer and apply to each child and all items.
8.Take each child to assigned classroom.
Check-Out Process
1.Touch "Child Out."
2.Scan pager (if no pager was assigned, use Finger ID pad)
3.Select guardian.
4.Select each child to check out.
5.Touch "Next."
6.Scan pager if assigned and not done in step 2, and LEAVE PAGER.
7.Pick up check-out sheet(s) from printer.
Express Mode
Check-In Procedure
(families already in system)
Press "Child In" button.
The next screen will request you to scan your fingerprint. Scan your finger and this will automatically select the proper household.
The next screen in the Child In process is the guardian and child Check In selection screen. Here you need to select the guardian checking in the children from the list on the left of the screen. Then select the children being checked in from the list on the right. A blue ring will encircle your selections. To deselect a child, touch photo again to remove blue ring. (All children, and anyone authorized to check in/out a child, must have their picture taken and on file before being allowed to check in/out. Teachers will require the child and the guardian checking them in to have their pictures printed on the check in slip. If any picture does not appear on the selection screen, stop by the Children’s Welcome Center to have this issue resolved.)
Otherwise, touch "Station" button at the bottom of the screen to enter this information. A Child Information screen will open for each child. Check drop-off items for each child. If you make any changes they will become the new default setting and you will not have to make changes again later. Any drop-off items selected will have an ID label printed to be placed on the items. Press "Next" when you are finished.
The next screen allows for the assignment of pagers. You will only need one (1) pager per household (even if you have more than one child). The pagers will be located at the Parent Pager Check-In stations. Pagers will only be required for children kindergarten and younger. If you are prompted with Pager Assignment Required, take a pager, press the GREEN button on the pager to turn on, and then scan pager with proximity reader.
As soon as you scan the pager, it will finish the check-in process by printing the Child nametags, ID tags for all drop-off items, and the child check-in slip. A child cannot be dropped off without a check-in slip to give to the teacher.
Check-Out Procedure
(families already in system)
The Check out process begins at the Check-In/Out station and is very similar to the check-in process. There will be one slip printed for each child which needs to be presented to the teacher. The primary difference is that pagers MUST be scanned and returned in order to complete the check-out process.
Touch the "Child Out" button.
Scan your prox ID card, or pager if one was assigned to you. The next screen in the Child Out process is the guardian and child Check Out selection screen. Here you need to select the guardian checking out the children from the list on the left of the screen. Then select the children being checked out from the list on the right. A blue ring will encircle your selections. To deselect a child, touch photo again to remove blue ring. If you want to check out all children, you may touch "Select All" button at the bottom of the screen. Press "Next" when you are finished.
The next screen will require scanning a pager if not already done. As soon as you scan the pager, it will finish the check-out process by printing the child check-out slip. Place your pager in the foam tray at the Check-In/Out station and take the check-out sheet to your child’s class to pick up your child. The teacher will verify that your picture is on the check-out slip before releasing your child to you.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Why do we need security and a new security system?
- We need a security system for the protection of our children and our church.
- We also hope to elevate new parents’ sense that our Children’s Ministry is a “safe place” for their children.
- Enables us to add photo ID tags for children and parents.
- It allows us to focus more effectively on children and their needs.
- Each of our classes receive a check-in slip for each child that includes all relevant care and medical information for each child.
- Is the use of computers impersonal?
No. While at first you may fear that using computers to check in children may be a cold, impersonal process, you will soon experience that Parent Pager truly enables our caregivers and teachers to focus more effectively on your child’s needs.
- I have no computer skills. Will I be able to learn how to do this?
Yes. Touch screen monitors decrease user anxiety for persons without basic computer skills while at the same time increasing user speed. In addition, a Parent Pager attendant is right there to help you if needed.
- What is the main advantage of using Parent Pager?
The main advantage is the photo identification system which is central to the security features. Photo ID is used on check-in and check-out slips. All authorized guardians permitted to claim a child will be pictured on the child’s check-out slip. Photos will be required for all children and parents. We believe that after the majority of our parents are registered in Parent Pager system has
- How will Parent Pager help with communication with parent?
Families with children under three will receive a pager so that we can alert them regarding their child when they are anywhere in the building.
- Will I be able to receive a page anywhere in the facility?
Yes. The pagers are “premise pagers.” They will receive a page anywhere in the building or up to 1 mile away.
- How much longer will this system take for me to check in my child?
Once you have your photos taken, a staffed terminal can check in a child within 15 seconds. A self-express terminal can check in a child as quickly as 5 seconds.
- What happens if I lose my pager?
The only way you can pick up your child is to have a check-out sheet. The only way you can get your child’s check-out sheet is to return the pager. If you lose the pager, you will need to go to the Children’s Welcome Center where they will verify that you checked in the child and you are authorized to pick up the child. If the pager is not found, a replacement charge of $100 will be assessed.
- Will visitors have to use the Parent Pager system?
Yes. If they have a child in fifth grade or younger, they will use this security system. It only takes a minute to do a quick registration of the entire family. Once the data entry is complete, the next time they check into the system, it will be as quick as everyone else.
- What if I forget to check out my children on Parent Pager?
Our volunteer staff will direct you back to the nearest Parent Pager station to check out your child and bring back a check-out sheet to the classroom.
- If I have a problem with Parent Pager, who will be available to help me?
If you experience difficulties using express check in proceed to the Children’s Welcome Center where a trained registrar will assist you.
- What happens if Parent Pager goes down during a service hour?
We will revert back to the current manual check-in/check-out system.
- What if I already checked in and need to check out when the system goes down?
The check-in sheets will be checked for photo verification at time of pick up. A photo ID will be required.
- How do I add other authorized individuals to the system?
Please go to the Children’s Welcome Center with that authorized individual. Our trained volunteer staff will be able to take a picture of the authorized individual and add the information to the system regarding the household.
- What happens if I forget to bring my prox ID card?
Please go to the Children’s Welcome Center for ID verification. The children will be checked in at that time. You will also need to go to the Children’s Welcome Center to have your children checked out.
- What happens if I lose my prox ID card?
There will be a fee of $5 to replace lost cards.
- What if I want additional prox ID cards?
They can be purchased for $5 each.
- How do I check in a child (friend of son/daughter) who is visiting without a parent?
Please go to the Children’s Welcome Center, where the visiting child will be added to the system with the host parents as guardians.
- How can I help the Children’s Ministries staff?
Please arrive early, return pagers, volunteer, and be patient and understanding.
- Who will receive a pager each week?
Parents of children in nursery and early childhood will receive one pager for the whole family. In addition, visitors with older children, those with unique needs, and on-call volunteers can all be assigned a pager.
- How do we check in at the classroom?
Once you receive your check-in slips each Sunday, parents divide the children and take them to different classrooms to help speed up the process. Older siblings (16 years and older) can also take children to the actual classrooms as long as they are authorized and their photo is on the check-in/out slip.
- I'm confused; can you summarize what age level does what?
- Birth up to 3: Pagers assigned and parents drop off kids to the Nursery.
- PK3 to Kindergarten: Pagers assigned and parents drop off kids in the classrooms.
- Grades 1- 5: No pagers, but parents still drop off kids in the classrooms.
- When will Parent Pagers be used?
Currently the Parent Pager security system will be used for Saturday night, Sunday mornings and Wednesday nights. Additional uses may be added at a later date.
