Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
For Educators
How do I set up my account?
If you would like to set up an account on Child Paths, you will need to speak with one of our team to create your account first. We can then send you training videos, or you can avail of our onsite training which we recommend to settings with more than five staff.
Can a manager review a Learning Record before they are sent to parents?
Yes, you can set your staff up so they cannot share a Learning Record with a parent until the line Manager reviews and approves.
Can parents send messages directly to staff?
Yes, they can reply to comments, like and love photos, send a message to a staff member or to a room. You can disable a parent from communicating with staff if they are sending too many messages. There is a disable button in each parent account.
Can I archive children when they leave?
Yes, all you need to do is add a start and end date to the child’s account. They will automatically appear in the “Past” children section. Then when they leave your service or school, they will automatically be archived under “Past” children.
Can I add children to the system who are not due to start until sometime in the future?
Yes, our Occupancy Planning Tool allows to add a child with a start date in the future. You can create rooms for next term and add those children to the room.
Why when I go into children section I don’t see all my children?
It is important that each child has a start and end date if known against their names. If they do not have at least a start date, then they will not show in your list of ‘Active’ children. Therefore, if you feel that this is the reason why you are not seeing the full list of children, change the filter above from ‘active’ to ‘all’. This will show you all of your current, past, and future children. Likewise, if you want to see ‘past’ children, then you must ensure that an end date has been entered against the child’s name. Future children will be listed so long as they have a start date in the future entered against their names.
Can I tell if children are part-time, full-time, ECCE etc.?
Yes, when filling in the child’s profile you will have an option to state the type. You can state here whether they are part-time, full-time, ECCE etc.
Do parents have to pay?
That is your decision. You can cover the cost for the parents. If you decide you want the parents to pay, it will cost €7.50 per family per month.
If the early years service or school is paying, it’s €3.75 per part-time child, €5 per full-time child and €0.50 per afterschool child per month. We only charge for a maximum of two children per family.
Do all parents have to sign up?
No, it is not compulsory for a parent to sign up to Child Paths just because their early years provider or school is using it. It is however mandatory for the early years service or school to pay for all children if they choose to pay Child Paths directly, even if the child’s parents are not signing up. We would suggest that you try to make it a mandatory requirement when parents register so that your service or school can get the very best use and benefit from it.
Why does the childcare setting have to pay for children where the parents are not signing up?
Child Paths is your evidence tool. You need to remember Child Paths is an excellent tool for your service or school as much as it is for the parents. Each early years service or school needs to record and document information on all children, for parents, inspectors and for the child’s development. Our software helps you do this much quicker and smarter.
How do I save the app to my desktop like an app (Phone or Tablet)?
iOS:
- When in staging-childpaths-ie.stackstaging.com. click on the box with an arrow point up at the bottom
- Click add to home screen
- Move to the home page for convenience
Android
- When in app.staging-childpaths-ie.stackstaging.com click on the three dots in the top right corner
- Click add to home screen
- Move to the home page for convenience
PC
- When in app.staging-childpaths-ie.stackstaging.com click on the star top right corner
- Add it to the correct folder e. bookmarks
- Use the three dots in the top right-hand corner, click the folder you added Child Paths to and then click on the site to access your account
How do I get into Child Paths on another device?
Child Paths is a responsive web application, so you can log in to any device. All you need to do is use this website site address: app.staging-childpaths-ie.stackstaging.com
What if I forget my password?
You can reset your password at any time. Under the login area, you will see a link “Forgot my password”. Add in your email address, and we’ll send you a new password reset link.
What happens if I put in the password wrong more than 3 times?
For security reasons, you will be locked out of your account for 24 hours. If you are unsure of the password on your third attempt, it will make sense to click on the “forgot my password” link and reset it. If you get locked out, you can contact our support team who can enable your account again by emailing info@childpaths.co.uk.
Will Child Paths remember my user name and password?
For security reasons no! However, depending on your browser (chrome, safari, etc.) they may ask you if you want to save your user name and password. That is totally up to you to decide.
Can anybody else access the app?
All your staff will have their own login, and they should always use their own details to log into the system as they will be accountable for everything they do under their name. The only way somebody can get access to your account is if you share your log in details. We do NOT advise you to share your log in details, but if you do, we do NOT advice you to send them electronically via email or text etc. Verbally in their presence would be the safest.
Do staff have access to all the children?
Staff can be assigned to one room or multiple rooms the depending on what the administrator decides. Staff will only have access to the children in the rooms to which they are assigned.
Can I add a second email address, so both parents get email notification when an Observation is done or a message/photo sent through Communication?
Yes, you can add a second email address. To do this log into the app, click menu, click guardian, click edit on the guardians account then add the second email. Parents can do this themselves on their own app by adding an email address to “my account”.
Do I need broadband/wifi to use Child Paths?
Yes, Child Paths is a web-based application which needs good broadband and wifi to use. If you do not have sufficient broadband and wifi, we would advise you NOT to use Child Paths unless you get 3G/4G tablets.
If I work in a childcare setting and I need to set up a parent account can I use the same email address?
No, our system will only allow one email address per account. You can either use another email address, or you can add a + to the email address. For example, if your email address is robbie@childpaths.co.uk you can use robbie+@childpaths.co.uk. You must use the + before the @.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
For Parents
How do I set up my account?
If you would like to set up an account on Child Paths, you will need to speak with your early years setting and ask them to activate your account. To activate your account, they will need an email address. Once they activate your account, you will receive an email from Child Paths with the parent video and steps to start using your Child Paths account. Depending on the pricing model you will either start a free 30-day trial if you are paying Child Paths directly where it will cost €7.50 per month per family. If your early year’s service is paying Child Paths directly you will need to speak with them to confirm the cost.
How do I save the app to my desktop like an app (Phone or Tablet)?
iOS:
- When in staging-childpaths-ie.stackstaging.com. click on the box with an arrow point up at the bottom
- Click add to home screen
- Move to the home page for convenience
Android
- When in app.staging-childpaths-ie.stackstaging.com click on the three dots in the top right corner
- Click add to home screen
- Move to the home page for convenience
How do I get into Child Paths on another device?
Child Paths is a responsive web application, so you can log in to any device. All you need to do is use this website site address: app.staging-childpaths-ie.stackstaging.com
What if I forget my password?
You can reset your password at any time. Under the login area, you will see a link “Forgot my password”. Add in your email address, and we’ll send you a new password reset link.
What happens if I put in the password wrong more than 3 times?
For security reasons, you will be locked out of your account for 24 hours. If you are unsure of the password on your third attempt, it will make sense to click on the “forgot my password” link and reset it. If you get locked out, you can contact our support team who can enable your account again by emailing info@childpaths.co.uk.
Can anybody else access the app?
It’s a family subscription. The only way they can get access is if you share your log in details with your partner or even the child’s Grandparents, Aunt or Uncle, just be careful how you share those log in details. We do NOT advise you to send them electronically via email or text etc. Verbally in their presence would be the safest.
Why is the date of my child’s observation different from today’s date?
The Early Years Educators may have created the Observation but did not get time to fully complete it on that date. A draft is created and only when the observation is marked complete will it be sent to the parent.
Why can’t I see my child’s profile?
You will need to speak with the staff to confirm they have assigned your child/children to your Guardian account.
Can I add a 2nd Child?
If you would like to add another child to Child Paths, they must be in the same early years setting. At present, you can only add children who are in the same setting, and you must ask the staff/manager to add your second child to your account.
How do I upload photos to my child’s profile
Make sure you’re in Child Profile. Click on your child’s profile, under recent activity you will see a green camera icon, click on this to upload your photos.
Can I upload photos so the staff sees the photos and can talk to my child about the photo?
Yes when uploading your photos under “Privacy” you will have two options
- Photo(s) shared with childcare facility – this is uploaded to your child’s profile/gallery so the staff are notified and can view the photo. This helps the staff to create conversations about your child’s life outside of the setting
- Photo(s) private – this is uploaded to your child’s profile/gallery. However, this is private for only your account. Nobody else will be able to see these photos
What are “Tags” within photos
Tags are used to create different categories of your child’s memories. The idea came from the film “Inside Out” where they look back on the child’s memories, now you can do this with your own child/children. When uploading a photo you can create tags like “My First”, “Birthday’s”, “Achievements” or “Holidays” to mention but a few. Each time you add a new photo you click into the tags area and a list of different categories will pop up. You just select the category or categories you require, and your photos will be stored under the chosen heading. This is great for looking back over with your children.
Cancel Subscription?
If you would like to cancel your subscription where you pay Child Paths directly you will need to do the following:
- Click on “Menu”
- Click on “Subscription”
- Click on “Cancel my subscription” at the bottom7.50
Can’t Find What You Need?
Email or call us! We are happy to assist you with any questions or concerns you may have.