BrightBadge

Parent Guide

Complete guide for parents and guardians using BrightBadge to stay connected with their child's daycare.

Table of Contents

  1. Getting Started
  2. Dashboard Overview
  3. Checking Your Child's Status
  4. Reporting Absences
  5. On My Way Feature
  6. Viewing Announcements
  7. Managing Your Profile
  8. Kiosk Pickup Process
  9. Multi-Child Support
  10. Weekly Code Rotation
  11. FAQ

1. Getting Started

Receiving Your Invitation

When your child's daycare adds you as a guardian, you'll receive an email invitation with:

  • Your 4-digit pickup code - For kiosk check-in/out
  • Dashboard login link - Access your online dashboard
  • Your child's information - Name and site
  • Instructions for getting started

Save This Email: Keep it in a safe place for future reference.

Your 4-Digit Pickup Code

Your pickup code is a 4-digit number (e.g., 1234) that you'll use at the kiosk to check your child in and out.

Important:

  • Memorize your code - you'll use it daily
  • Don't share your code with anyone (except authorized pickup contacts)
  • Each parent has their own unique code
  • Codes rotate weekly for security

Setting Up Your Account

  1. Click the invitation link in your email
  2. You'll be directed to complete your profile
  3. Set notification preferences
  4. Review your child's information
  5. Click "Complete Setup"

No Password Needed: You'll use your pickup code to access the dashboard on future visits.

2. Dashboard Overview

Your parent dashboard is where you can monitor your child's status and communicate with the daycare.

Accessing Your Dashboard

  1. Visit https://bright-badge.com
  2. Click "Parent Login"
  3. Enter your email address
  4. Enter your 4-digit pickup code
  5. Click "Login"

Bookmark: Save the dashboard URL for quick access.

Dashboard Layout

Main Dashboard Shows:

  • Child Status Card - Current check-in/out status
  • Attendance History - Recent check-in/out records
  • Announcements - Messages from the daycare
  • Quick Actions - Report absence, send On My Way alert

Top Right:

  • Notification bell - Important alerts
  • Profile menu - Settings and logout

Quick Actions from Dashboard

  • 📅 Report an absence
  • 📍 Send "On My Way" alert
  • 📊 View attendance history
  • 📧 View announcements
  • ⚙️ Update your profile

3. Checking Your Child's Status

Current Status

The main dashboard card shows your child's current status:

Checked In:

✅ Checked In
Emma Smith
Checked in at: 8:15 AM
Checked in by: You
Location: Bright Beginnings Daycare

Checked Out:

✅ Checked Out
Emma Smith
Checked out at: 4:30 PM
Checked out by: John Smith (Father)

Not Checked In:

⏸️ Not Checked In
Emma Smith
Last attendance: Yesterday at 4:45 PM

Viewing Attendance History

  1. Click "View History" on the child status card
  2. You'll see a calendar with all attendance records:
    • Check-in time
    • Check-out time
    • Who dropped off and picked up
    • Total time at daycare

Filter Options:

  • By date range (last week, last month, custom)
  • By child (if you have multiple children)
  • Export as PDF for records

Understanding Attendance Records

Each record shows:

  • Date
  • Check-In Time - When your child arrived
  • Check-In By - Who dropped them off
  • Check-Out Time - When your child left
  • Check-Out By - Who picked them up
  • Duration - Total time at daycare that day

Example:

Monday, January 8, 2026
Check-In: 8:15 AM by Sarah Smith (Mother)
Check-Out: 4:30 PM by John Smith (Father)
Duration: 8 hours 15 minutes

4. Reporting Absences

If your child will be absent, you can report it in advance so the daycare knows not to expect them.

Reporting an Absence

  1. Click "Report Absence" on your dashboard
  2. Select your child (if you have multiple)
  3. Choose absence date(s):
    • Single day
    • Multiple days
    • Date range
  4. (Optional) Add a reason:
    • Sick
    • Vacation
    • Doctor's appointment
    • Personal
    • Other
  5. (Optional) Add notes
  6. Click "Submit Absence Report"

The daycare staff will be notified immediately.

Viewing Your Reported Absences

  1. Go to Dashboard → Absences
  2. You'll see all your reported absences:
    • Date(s)
    • Child name
    • Reason
    • Status (upcoming, past)

Canceling an Absence

If your child will attend after all:

  1. Go to Dashboard → Absences
  2. Find the absence
  3. Click "Cancel Absence"
  4. Confirm cancellation

The daycare will be notified of the change.

5. On My Way Feature

Send an alert to the daycare when you're on your way to pick up your child.

Sending an "On My Way" Alert

  1. Click "On My Way" on your dashboard (or quick action button)
  2. Select your child (if you have multiple)
  3. (Optional) Add estimated arrival time:
    • 5 minutes
    • 10 minutes
    • 15 minutes
    • Custom time
  4. Click "Send Alert"

The daycare staff will see the notification on their kiosk and can prepare your child for pickup.

Why Use "On My Way"?

Benefits:

  • Staff can have your child ready (coat on, belongings packed)
  • Reduces wait time at pickup
  • Helps staff manage end-of-day transitions
  • Shows courtesy to the daycare

Best Practices:

  • Send the alert when you're actually leaving
  • Provide accurate ETA
  • If delayed, send another alert to update

6. Viewing Announcements

The daycare sends important announcements to all parents.

Checking Announcements

  1. Look at the Announcements section on your dashboard
  2. Or click Dashboard → Announcements

You'll see:

  • Announcement title
  • Message content
  • Priority level (urgent, high, normal, low)
  • Date posted
  • Read/unread status

Announcement Types

Common Announcements:

  • 📅 Schedule changes (early closures, holidays)
  • 🎉 Special events (field trips, parties)
  • 📋 Policy updates
  • 🏥 Health alerts (flu outbreaks, etc.)
  • ⏰ Reminders (picture day, tuition due, etc.)

Priority Levels

  • 🔴 Urgent - Immediate attention required (closures, emergencies)
  • 🟡 High - Important, read soon (schedule changes)
  • 🔵 Normal - General information
  • 🟢 Low - FYI

Email Notifications: Urgent and high-priority announcements also send email alerts.

Marking as Read

  1. Click on an announcement to open it
  2. Read the full message
  3. It's automatically marked as read
  4. Your notification badge updates

7. Managing Your Profile

Updating Contact Information

  1. Go to Dashboard → Settings → Profile
  2. Update:
    • Display name
    • Email address
    • Phone number
    • Emergency contact
  3. Click "Save Changes"

Important: Keep your contact information current so the daycare can reach you in emergencies.

Notification Preferences

  1. Go to Settings → Notifications
  2. Toggle email notifications:
    • ✅ Announcements
    • ✅ Absence confirmations
    • ✅ On My Way confirmations
    • ✅ Important alerts
  3. Click "Save"

Recommended: Keep all notifications enabled so you don't miss important messages.

Viewing Your Pickup Code

Forgot your pickup code?

  1. Go to Dashboard → Settings → Security
  2. Click "View My Pickup Code"
  3. Your current 4-digit code will be displayed

Security: Don't share your code or leave it visible to others.

Adding Additional Authorized Contacts

If another family member or friend needs to pick up your child:

  1. Contact your daycare owner
  2. Provide the person's name and relationship
  3. Owner will add them to your child's authorized pickup list
  4. They'll receive their own pickup code via email

Cannot be done in parent dashboard: Only daycare owners can add authorized pickup contacts.

8. Kiosk Pickup Process

The kiosk is the tablet at your daycare used for check-in and check-out.

Checking In Your Child (Drop-Off)

  1. Approach the kiosk
  2. Enter your 4-digit pickup code
  3. Your child(ren) will appear on screen
  4. Select the child you're dropping off
  5. Sign on the signature pad
  6. Review any health alerts (if shown)
  7. Tap "Complete Check-In"
  8. You'll see a confirmation and celebration animation!

Your child is now checked in for the day.

Checking Out Your Child (Pickup)

  1. Approach the kiosk
  2. Enter your 4-digit pickup code
  3. Your checked-in child(ren) will appear
  4. Select the child you're picking up
  5. Sign on the signature pad
  6. Tap "Complete Check-Out"
  7. Success! Your child is checked out.

Digital Signature

Why Sign?

  • Legal record of who dropped off and picked up
  • Security - verifies authorized pickup
  • Attendance tracking
  • Documentation for emergencies

Tips for Good Signatures:

  • Use your finger or the provided stylus
  • Sign clearly enough to be recognizable
  • Similar signature to other documents (not required to be exact)

Health Alerts During Check-In

If your child has allergies or medical conditions, you may see a health alert screen:

What You'll See:

  • Allergy information
  • Medications to be administered
  • Medical conditions
  • Dietary restrictions

What to Do:

  1. Review the information
  2. Confirm it's accurate
  3. Tap "Acknowledged" to continue
  4. Inform staff of any changes needed

Updating Health Info: Contact the daycare owner to update your child's health information.

Troubleshooting Kiosk Issues

Problem: "Invalid code" error

Solutions:

  1. Verify you're using this week's code (check your email)
  2. Make sure you're entering all 4 digits
  3. Try again carefully
  4. If still not working, ask daycare staff for assistance

Problem: Child doesn't appear after entering code

Possible Reasons:

  • Child already checked in (for check-out) or already checked out (for check-in)
  • Not authorized for this child (check with daycare)
  • Child not enrolled at this site
  • Technical issue - ask staff for help

9. Multi-Child Support

If you have multiple children enrolled at the daycare, your dashboard shows all of them.

Dashboard with Multiple Children

Child Status Cards:

  • Each child has their own status card
  • Shows individual check-in/out status
  • Color-coded for easy identification

Switching Between Children:

  1. Use the child selector dropdown
  2. Or scroll through child cards
  3. Each card shows that child's specific information

Attendance History for Multiple Children

  1. Go to Dashboard → Attendance
  2. Use the "Filter by Child" dropdown
  3. Select a child to see only their records
  4. Or select "All Children" to see combined view

Absences and Alerts for Multiple Children

When reporting absences or sending On My Way alerts:

  1. The system will ask "Which child?"
  2. Select the child from the list
  3. Proceed with the action

You can also select multiple children for the same absence or alert.

Kiosk with Multiple Children

Check-In:

  1. Enter your pickup code
  2. All your children enrolled at this site will appear
  3. Select one or more children you're dropping off
  4. Sign once for all selected children
  5. Tap "Complete Check-In"

Check-Out:

  • Same process, but only checked-in children appear

Saves Time: You only need to enter your code and sign once, even if picking up multiple children.

10. Weekly Code Rotation

For security, pickup codes rotate every week.

How Code Rotation Works

Every Monday:

  • Your old 4-digit code becomes invalid
  • You receive a new 4-digit code via email
  • The new code is active immediately

Email Notification:

Subject: Your New Weekly Pickup Code

Hello Sarah,

Your pickup code for Emma Smith at Bright Beginnings Daycare has been updated.

New Code: 5678
Effective: Monday, January 8, 2026
Expires: Sunday, January 14, 2026

Please memorize this code. You'll use it for check-in/out and dashboard access all week.

Thanks,
BrightBadge

Updating Your Code

  1. Check Your Email - Every Monday morning
  2. Note New Code - Write it down or save it
  3. Use New Code - Starting Monday, use the new code
  4. Old Code Invalid - Your previous code no longer works

Tip: Set a calendar reminder for Monday mornings to check your email for the new code.

Why Codes Rotate

Security Reasons:

  • Prevents unauthorized pickups if someone learns your code
  • Limits damage from lost/stolen codes
  • Protects your child's safety
  • Industry best practice

Your Child's Safety: Weekly rotation is a small inconvenience for a big security benefit.

Sharing Codes with Authorized Contacts

If another adult is picking up your child:

  1. Check your email for your current week's code
  2. Share the code with them (text, call, in person - secure method)
  3. They must be on the authorized pickup list
  4. They'll use YOUR code (or their own if they're a registered guardian)

Important: Only share codes with people on the authorized pickup list.

11. FAQ

General Questions

Q: What if I forget my pickup code?

A: Check your most recent Monday email, or go to Dashboard → Settings → Security → View My Code. You can also ask the daycare staff to look it up.

Q: Can I change my pickup code to something easier to remember?

A: No, codes are randomly generated for security. However, they're only 4 digits, so they're easy to memorize.

Q: What happens if I'm late to pick up my child?

A: Your code still works. However, check your daycare's late pickup policy - there may be late fees. Send an "On My Way" alert if you're running late.

Q: Can I access the dashboard from my phone?

A: Yes! The dashboard is mobile-friendly. Just visit the same URL from your phone's browser.

Technical Issues

Q: I didn't receive the weekly code email

A: Check your spam/junk folder. If still not there, contact the daycare to verify your email address and have them resend.

Q: The kiosk says "Invalid code" but I'm sure it's correct

A: Verify you're using this week's code. Codes rotate every Monday. If you're sure it's correct, ask staff for assistance.

Q: I can't log into the dashboard

A: Make sure you're using:

  • Correct email address
  • This week's 4-digit pickup code If still having issues, contact the daycare for help.

Child Information

Q: How do I update my child's health information?

A: Contact the daycare owner directly. They'll update allergies, medications, and medical conditions in the system.

Q: Can I see who picked up my child?

A: Yes! Go to Dashboard → Attendance History. You'll see who checked your child in and out each day.

Q: What if my child is at multiple daycare sites?

A: Your dashboard will show all sites where your child is enrolled. You can switch between sites to see site-specific information.

Security & Privacy

Q: Is my child's information secure?

A: Yes. BrightBadge uses encryption, secure authentication, and follows HIPAA guidelines for health data. Only authorized staff and guardians can access your child's information.

Q: Can other parents see my child's information?

A: No. Each parent only sees their own children's information.

Q: What happens if someone finds out my pickup code?

A: Change it immediately by contacting the daycare. They can invalidate the old code and issue a new one. Also, codes rotate weekly, limiting any potential misuse.

Attendance & Records

Q: Can I export attendance records?

A: Yes! Go to Attendance History and click "Export as PDF". This is useful for tax records, custody documentation, or personal records.

Q: How long is attendance history kept?

A: Attendance records are kept for the duration of your child's enrollment and typically for several years after for legal/compliance purposes.

Q: What if I forgot to check in my child?

A: Ask the daycare staff. They can manually mark your child as checked in, or you can check them in late when you remember.

Best Practices for Parents

Daily Routine

Morning:

  • Check your phone for any announcements from the daycare
  • Note your current pickup code (if you might forget it)
  • Arrive at daycare and check in via kiosk

During the Day:

  • Check dashboard if you want to see your child's status
  • Report any last-minute absences
  • Send "On My Way" alert before pickup

Evening:

  • Check out your child via kiosk
  • Review any announcements you may have missed
  • Plan for next day

Security Tips

  • 💡 Memorize your pickup code
  • 💡 Don't share your code publicly
  • 💡 Only share with authorized pickup contacts
  • 💡 Report lost/stolen codes immediately
  • 💡 Check your email every Monday for new codes

Communication with Daycare

  • 📞 Report absences in advance when possible
  • 📞 Keep contact information current
  • 📞 Read all announcements promptly
  • 📞 Contact daycare owner for health info updates
  • 📞 Ask questions if you're unsure about anything

Need Help?

  • Your Daycare: Contact your child's daycare owner or staff
  • Technical Issues: Ask your daycare to contact BrightBadge support
  • Email: Your daycare can reach support@bright-badge.com

Remember: Your daycare owner is your first point of contact for all questions!

Last Updated: 2026-01-08 Version: 1.0

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