Kinder m8 has recently been working hard to support early childhood services exceed expectations during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Kinder m8 saw that there was a gap in the market for early childhood services to monitor temperatures and extend their learning to children at home in isolation.
It is because of this gap and need for assistance that Kinder m8 went above and beyond to make it happen!
Within the last two weeks Kinder m8 has released two new time sensitive features.
A Temperature check feature which assists services to monitor children’s temperatures throughout the day to minimise the spread of infection and Kinder m8 LIVE, which is a virtual classroom that allows educators to live stream lessons with children from home.
Have a read below of a message written by the CEO of Kinder m8- Niroj Sri.
I founded Kinder m8 based upon the value of connection.
Our platform was built to connect early childhood professionals and families directly to one another to support engagement and assist in further developing relationships.
Our country and its communities are going through an extremely hard time and we especially feel for our early childhood industry and their educators who are extremely essential to their communities.
As a company, we want to stay true to our mission and continue to help bring educators together with their children and families.
To keep children engaged and active at home, Kinder m8 has launched Kinder m8 LIVE – Your new virtual classroom.
This feature is available effective immediately to all our clients at no extra cost through our portal.
We’ll be running webinars to get you started on this.
Furthermore, we are privileged to be able to help and support centres by releasing new, essential features such as our new Temperature Check function and Kinder m8 LIVE.
We are proud to be the first in our field and industry to provide these resources to clients.
Please remember that we are here to support you and help stay in touch with your children and their families.
Kinder m8 launches temperature check feature to support the health of children during the COVID-19 Pandemic
Team Kinder m8 feel very strongly about supporting the community so being fortunate enough that we can offer extra assistance to centres during this time is something we feel privileged to do during this unforeseen time.
What You Need to Know:
– Kinder m8 is launching a temperature check feature to support centres monitoring children’s health during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.
– To further support the wider community Kinder m8 is opening up opportunities for external centres to access a customised subscription of the daily charts including the temperature check during the time of the pandemic to assist services to track the children’s general routines but especially their health.
Kinder m8 has been working hard to develop this exclusive temperature check to support and enable centres to monitor the health of the children in their care.
The benefits of this feature will assist with monitoring temperatures throughout the day to ensure centres are able to easily record and minimise illness within the service.
Availability
This feature will be available within the Kinder m8 Portal from Monday 23rd March 2020.
The COVIDSafe app speeds up contacting people exposed to coronavirus (COVID-19). This helps us support and protect you, your friends and family. Please read the content on this page before downloading.
Child care centers provide specialized care to young children usually in the age group of 0 – 5. Today you can find them in large numbers in almost every major city in Australia.
These child care centers are spacious, have their own grounds and use a Childcare CRM. Child care centers have kept pace with the development of technology and with a childcare CRM they are able to attract families, increase enrollment and retention & stand out from the pack.
Does a child care centre need a childcare CRM?
A simple answer to this question is yes. A childcare CRM functions as an all purpose software that enables child care centers to carry out their routine operations and day-to-day activities very efficiently. Among other things, a childcare CRM enables child care centers to do online enrolment of children, bookings, invoicing and payment collection as well as following up on leads.
Looking at the hectic lifestyle of both parents and educators and the way technology has woven itself into our daily lives, it is unthinkable to carry out routine work without a childcare CRM.
Advantages of a childcare CRM
A childcare CRM offers numerous benefits and if you happen to either own a child care center yourself, or happen to work there as an educator or in an administrative capacity, then below are some of the benefits that you can easily realize:
Makes marketing more effective
You can easily reach out to the parents whose details are listed in your CRM. You can send them personalized messaging, share with them your monthly/ quarterly newsletters and keep them informed about important dates/ events through routine notifications.
If you are promoting an event, or want to make an announcement about new facilities, or improved features, then you can easily do it with a few clicks of the mouse.
Improves communication between parents and educators
With a childcare CRM parents and educators are able to communicate seamlessly over multiple channels such as phone, email, text message, and in person. Educators get a birds-eye view about a family on a single page and hence have all relevant data available with them when they are engaging with the parents.
Saves time of educators and keeps them organized
A childcare CRM makes work efficient and eliminates duplication of effort. For example, educators are able to accept online bookings and enter them first time into the CRM rather than writing them on a piece of paper first, and then entering them at a later date into the CRM. The same applies to online waitlists & enrolments.
Ease of invoicing
All confirmed bookings done online can be synced with daily rolls of children and related invoices. When due, invoices are generated with a few clicks of the mouse and are sent directly to the parents.
Facilitates creation of digital portfolios
Educators can document the activities and observations of children and compile them into a portfolio. This portfolio when presented to parents is fondly cherished by them because it contains the precious childhood moments of their children.
Improves success rate of inquiry to enrollment
This is a major advantage of a childcare CRM. Educators are able to capture the leads that are generated through incoming calls, emails, web enquiries, or walk-ins. All these leads get consolidated into a database and based on their attributes follow-up action is planned.
Follow-up action could be either a guided-tour of the child care center, or just a face-to-face meeting, or an extended phone call. Sometimes email communications also generates good results.
Educators are no longer required to maintain paper based notes, or reminders of parents that they need to call and can track the progress of their leads from inquiry to enrollment.
Never miss a lead and grow your business with a Childcare CRM
A child care center offers an excellent option to working parents who due to work constraints or due to other reasons cannot be with their children and are searching for the right center where they can enroll their child – a center where they feel that their child will be looked after and tended to properly.
For a child care center it is this segment of parents that constitute the perfect target group to reach out to and cater to and with a childcare CRM they have with them a perfect too to nurture their leads, grow their engagement with parents and enroll them.
Build a pipeline of leads
You are able to enter all your leads into your CRM and review them at a glance. This allows you to see the status of each lead and plan the next steps to take the lead forward.
If you operate multiple centers, then you can also get a center-wise, or a region-wise view of all the leads. In case any corrective action needs to be done then you quickly collaborate with the teams in those regions and work out a plan.
Send targeted emails to your leads
With a childcare CRM you are able to store all the details of your leads and this allows you to send emails to them efficiently either for a single center or your entire organization.
If you have created any digital flyers offline, then you can attach them to your email and send them out. You can also send a URL of your center in your email, so that parents can click on the URL and view your website.
Take quick action on your leads
Experts say that the time you take to act on your leads is directly proportionate to the enrollments you are able to achieve.
Most parents take prompt decisions, and so if you are late in responding to an enquiry then they may lose interest and go to another child care center. With a childcare CRM you are able to assign a priority to the lead and invite them over to take a tour of your center.
Conclusion
A childcare CRM is a must-have in case you are managing one or more child care centers. Talk to an expert today to schedule a demo, or to get more information, or answers to your questions.
A Guide to Queensland Kindergarten Funding Scheme 2023
Welcome to our comprehensive guide on the Queensland Kindergarten Funding Scheme (QKFS) in 2023. If you’re looking for information about the QKFS and how to navigate its funding requirements and guidelines, you’re in the right place. We’ll walk you through everything you need to know to benefit from this essential initiative.
What Is The Queensland Kindergarden Funding Scheme
The Queensland Kindergarten Funding Scheme (QKFS) is a government initiative in the state of Queensland, Australia, aimed at providing financial support for approved kindergarten programs. It is designed to ensure that children in Queensland have access to quality early childhood education in the year before they commence full-time schooling, typically at around age five.
Under the QKFS, approved kindergarten providers, including both government and non-government organisations, receive funding to help reduce the cost of delivering kindergarten programs to families. This funding is intended to make kindergarten more affordable and accessible for parents, while also maintaining high standards of early childhood education.
The QKFS establishes guidelines, funding requirements, and eligibility criteria for kindergartens to participate in the program. It plays a crucial role in promoting early childhood education and providing children with a strong foundation for their future learning and development.
To help you save time our dedicated team at Kinder M8 has compiled a comprehensive summary of all the essential information you need to know in order to benefit from the QKF.
Service Eligibility
Eligible services receive a base subsidy, with potential additional subsidies based on circumstances, all of which must be passed on to families. Here’s a breakdown of the key subsidies:
Base Subsidy:
Eligible services receive a base subsidy for each child enrolled in a 600-hour approved kindergarten program.
Kindergarten services: Up to $3,730 per eligible child per year.
Long day care services: Up to $1,874 per eligible child per year.
Inclusion Subsidy:
Designed to enhance inclusive practices, making kindergartens welcoming for children of all identities and abilities.
Affordability Subsidies:
Kindy Plus Subsidy: Available to families meeting specific criteria.
Kindy Family Tax Benefit Subsidy: Families eligible for the Australian Government’s Family Tax Benefit Part A or Part B can receive this subsidy.
Targeted Subsidies:
Service Location Subsidy: Aims to attract and retain teachers in outer regional, remote, and very remote areas.
Educational Need Grant (Kindy Uplift): Focused on improving educational outcomes for each child.
Accessing the QKFS involves specific criteria and application processes tailored to different types of services. Whether you operate a sessional kindergarten, kindergarten service within a non-state school, limited hours care service, or long day care service, here’s what you need to qualify
For Kindergarten Services (Including Limited Hours Care Services)
To qualify for Queensland Kindergarten Funding, your service must meet the following requirements:
Approved Kindergarten Program Provide Your service must be recognized as an approved kindergarten program provider.
Exclusion from Child Care Subsidy You cannot be eligible for Child Care Subsidy payments for eligible families during the kindergarten program’s duration.
Service Approval Hold a valid service approval under the Education and Care Services National Law (Queensland) Act 2011 or Education and Care Services Act 2013 (Qld).
Public Liability Insurance Maintain public liability insurance coverage of at least $10 million.
Eligible Early Childhood Teacher Deliver an approved kindergarten program led by an eligible early childhood teacher.
Accessible Fee Structure Demonstrate a fee structure that ensures cost is not a barrier to access.
Central Governing Body Membership Be a member of a central governing body.
Queensland Kindergarten Funding Requirements
For Long Day Care Services
For long day care services to access QKFS the following criteria must be met:
Approved Kindergarten Program Provide Obtain recognition as an approved kindergarten program provider.
Child Care Subsidy Approval Be approved to receive Child Care Subsidy payments on behalf of eligible families.
Service Approval Hold a valid service approval under the Education and Care Services National Law Act 2011 (Qld).
Adequate Public Liability Insurance Maintain public liability insurance coverage of at least $10 million.
Qualified Early Childhood Teacher Offer an approved kindergarten program led by an eligible early childhood teacher.
Affordability Focus Ensure your fee structure facilitates access by demonstrating that cost is not a barrier.
Department Agreement Establish an agreement with the Department of Education.
To apply for funding, gain more insight, and register, refer to the QGrants system
How To Apply for
Queensland Kindergarten Funding Scheme
Meet all the requirements? Here’s a concise breakdown of how to navigate the application process:
Step 1: Eligibility and Timing
Long day care services and sessional kindergartens can seek Queensland Kindergarten Funding to offset approved kindergarten program costs.
Kindergarten program provider approvals are issued periodically throughout the year, ensuring regular opportunities for application.
Step 2: Application Submission
Utilise the QGrants system, an integrated online grants management platform, to submit your application for becoming an approved kindergarten program provider.
QGrants facilitates a streamlined, whole-of-government approach to managing applications, making the process efficient and user-friendly.
Step 3: Approval and Funding:
Upon successful application and approval as a kindergarten program provider, you become eligible to receive Queensland Kindergarten Funding.
Funding disbursement begins at the commencement of the next claiming cycle, ensuring a timely support mechanism for your kindergarten program.
Step 4: Distinct Application Processes
Long Day Care Services: If you operate a long day care service, follow the specific application process designed to accommodate your service’s unique requirements.
Sessional Kindergartens: Similarly, sessional kindergartens have a tailored application procedure to cater to their specific operational dynamics.
Submitting an Application for
Queensland Kindergarten Funding Scheme:
Applying for Queensland Kindergarten Funding and managing claims via the QGrants platform is a structured process.
For Sessional Kindergartens:
1. Familiarise Yourself
Begin by reading the Queensland Kindergarten Funding Essentials for sessional kindergartens (PDF, 718KB) to understand the requirements for delivering an approved kindergarten program.
Once registered, you gain the ability to manage accounts, create new ones, appoint a contact officer, and process application requests.
3. Applying as a Provider
Study the application guide to prepare for the process of becoming an approved kindergarten program provider.
Make sure you have all necessary documents ready, including the program delivery template as outlined in the ‘before you start’ section.
The application guide and program delivery template can be downloaded from here under Steps 2.
4. Agreement with the Department Before finalising your application on QGrants, review and agree to the Queensland Kindergarten Funding standard terms and conditions (accessible via QGrants).
The kindergarten funding – funding category guidelines (PDF, 236KB)
The Queensland Kindergarten Funding Essentials for sessional kindergartens (PDF, 718KB).
Adherence to these documents is crucial to maintaining eligibility as an approved kindergarten program provider and continuing to receive subsidies.
5. Claiming Process:
Sessional kindergarten services aren’t directly claimed through the department. Contact your Central Governing Body for guidance on the electronic claiming process.
For
Long Day Care Services:
1. Preparing for Application
Start by reviewing the Queensland Kindergarten Funding Essentials for long day care providers (PDF, 752KB) to ensure your long day care service meets approved kindergarten program criteria.
2. Account Creation
Create a QGrants login and account by referring to the account creation guide.
Once registered, you gain the ability to manage accounts, create new ones, appoint a contact officer, and process application requests.
3. Applying as a Provider
Study the application guide to prepare for the process of becoming an approved kindergarten program provider.
Make sure you have all necessary documents ready, including the program delivery template as outlined in the ‘before you start’ section.
The application guide and program delivery template can be downloaded from here under Steps 2.
4. Agreement with the Department:
Before finalising your application on QGrants, review and agree to the Queensland Kindergarten Funding standard terms and conditions (accessible via QGrants).
The kindergarten funding – funding category guidelines (PDF, 236KB)
The Queensland Kindergarten Funding Essentials for sessional kindergartens (PDF, 718KB).
Adherence to these documents is crucial to maintaining eligibility as an approved kindergarten program provider and continuing to receive subsidies.
5. Quarterly Claim Submission
Upon approval as a kindergarten program provider, an agreement will be established in QGrants, enabling you to receive kindergarten subsidies from the subsequent reporting period.
Utilise the provided voucher to access credentials for your Child Care Management System (CCMS) and follow instructions from your CCMS provider to submit quarterly claims (That’s us here at Kinder m8).
6. Annual Roll-Over
Approved long daycare kindergarten program providers need to renew their application and establish a new agreement with the department through QGrants at the start of each calendar year to continue receiving subsidies.
Ready to Apply?
Log in to QGrants portal here and start your QFK subsidy application. It will take about an hour to complete.
How to configure Queensland Kindergarten Funding Scheme and Claim using the Kinder M8 App
Step 1:Enable
Queensland Kindergarten Funding Scheme in Kinder M8
Reach out to our support team at Kinder M8 with the details listed below from your QGrants portal to configure Kinder m8 to connect to QGrants.
Application Key
Application Secret
Agreement Number (Starts with 214)
Beneficiary Account Number
Step 2: Configuration
A team member at Kinder M8 will enable Queensland Kindergarten Funding Scheme (QKFS) for you using the details given. Once this is set up you will see a menu called “QKFS” under the main navigation.
Step 3: Update Educator Profile
The educators who will be part of Kindy programs must be ECT qualified.
Update the field ECT Qualified” to “Fully Qualified” and save it.
Step 4: Update Child Profiles With QKFS Details
Go to Menu → Children → Select child’s name → Edit child profile → Navigate to QKFS.
Under QKFS, complete the below fields and update the section. Please ensure that you fill in all the fields here for accurate information.
Queensland Kindergarten Funding Scheme Plus: What is it?
QKFS Plus Kindy Support offers additional assistance to qualified families so they can enrol their children at a no-cost kindy. The service submits claims for QKFS Plus Kindy Support on behalf of qualified families.
QKFS Plus Eligible
To be eligible for QKFS Plus Kindy Support a family must meet one of the criteria below:
A valid Health Care Card (HCC) issued by the Australian Government. Each term, the HCC should be viewed, and the service should keep a copy.
Current Australian Government Pensioner Concession Card (automatic benefits to HCC); Department of Veterans’ Affairs Gold Card or White Card; or
A formal letter from the competent authorities announcing their intention to issue an HCC; or
The child identifies as Torres Strait Islander or Aboriginal.
The family is enrolled in the same year with three or more children that are the same age. Every child participating in a program has access to QKFS Plus Kindy Support.
How To Apply Evidence On The Kinder M8 App
Navigate to Menu
→ Children
→ Select child’s name
→ Edit child profile
→ navigate to QKFS.
Under QKFS, complete the below fields and update the section.
To submit evidence,
Go to child profile
→ Select three dots
→ Select Documents
→ Add Concession Button
→ Select HCC
→ Update start and end dates.
Next, choose Family Tax Benefit from drop-down and add the dates.
Step 5: Creating Programs
You could design programs for terms that last 10 weeks each. These programs will only run from the start date for 10 weeks, so you won’t need to halt it.
Go to Menu
→ QKFS
→ QKFS Programs.
Then add:
Add Program Name.
Add Program start date and end date ( You should cover your 10 weeks here).
Add default program days and times.
Select default educator. In order to choose the default educator here, you must specify their ECT qualification under the educator profile.
Select the default room. (All the children in this room will be added as part of this kindy program.)
Funding Weeks
Within each program, you can also view and edit each individual week.
To do this: Go to Menu
→ QKFS
→ Funding Weeks.
Select the year, Term and Program and view/edit the details from the below screen.
Step 6: Updating Child Bookings
Now you have to connect bookings to Kindergarten programs. You can do this in single booking edit or bulk updates. Choose Kindergarten programs and link it with children.
Step 7:
Queensland Kindergarten Funding Scheme Submission
Services must submit their Queensland Kindergarten Funding requests in a specific order.
For instance, until all claims from earlier claiming periods have been submitted in sequential order, you won’t be able to submit your Q3 acquittal. Likewise, until your Q3 acquittal has been received, you will not be allowed to submit your Q4 forecast.
To Submit Forecast/Acquittal,
Go to Menu
→ QKFS
→ QKFS Submission
→ Select New Submission
Select Year, Term, Program and Fee.
Select if it is Forecast or Acquittal
You can also do a Simulated submission to check for errors and warnings.
Once you are happy and have no more warnings you can leave the simulated submission empty and do the actual submission.
Once the submission is successful you will be returned with a success message or errors.
If it’s successful it’ll say successfully submitted otherwise you can View details for any errors and warnings.
Why Choose Kinder M8 for Your
Queensland Kindergarten Funding Scheme Claims?
At Kinder M8, we take immense pride in offering an unmatched, all-in-one Childcare Management Platform that simplifies every aspect of childcare administration. But don’t just take our word for it; we’d like you to hear it straight from one of our satisfied users, Jaran at Bright Buttons. He shares his firsthand experience with Kinder M8 and how our platform made a significant difference in supporting and streamlining his early childcare business.
Ready to Make the Switch to Kinder M8?
We understand the importance of a seamless transition, and that’s why our dedicated onboarding team is here to guide you through the process of migrating your childcare center(s) over to Kinder M8. We’ve designed this process to be straightforward, and we can adapt to your timeline, ensuring it’s completed as swiftly as you need it to be.
Get Started Today!
To begin your journey with Kinder M8 and experience the advantages for yourself, simply fill out the form below. We’ll promptly get in touch to schedule a product demo at your convenience. Making the switch to Kinder M8 has never been easier – let us show you why!
