Express Check-In Frequently Asked Questions

Express Check-In is basically touchless check-in as the process happens on the parent’s mobile device. There is no need to use a check-in station at all which means less people touching equipment and therefore less chance of spreading germs. Since the check-in is processed at your facility still on their mobile device, no QR or bar code to scan, nothing to input, there’s no need to stand in line. Additional features exist to help with touchless check-in and out options as well.

Parents start check-in from home, parking lot, wherever they have an internet or cellular connection; however the check-in is not fully completed until they physically arrive at your facility. Upon arrival, the KidCheck ExpressHub will recognize the check-in and associated mobile device. A ‘submit’ button will be enabled and the user will be prompted by a notification on their mobile device that check-in is ready to be completed.  They simply tap ‘submit’ to complete check-in and the appropriate child name labels and guardian receipts will print to the label printer(s) associated with the ExpressHub.

Express Check-In is an included feature across all KidCheck editions.  To take full advantage of the feature and enable label printing, you will need to purchase and license an ExpressHub. The ExpressHub itself is $399 and needs to have a check-in license associated. The license cost is based on the edition and one device or unlimited device option you choose.

When using Express Check-in with a licensed ExpressHub, a computer check-in station is not necessary to complete check-in. Parents will start check-in from their location (home, car, parking lot, etc) on their mobile device and upon arrival at your facility will be recognized by the ExpressHub and prompted to complete check-in which initiates printing to the label printer.  No check-in station needed, no need to input phone numbers, scan a code, or complete any other process.

To take full advantage of Express Check-In and have the entire check-in completed and printed via the parent’s mobile device, a licensed ExpressHub is necessary. The ability for parents to start check-in on their mobile device with Express Check-In is still available without a licensed KidCheck ExpressHub. However, labels will not be prompted to print upon arrival. In this case, volunteers/staff at your organization, or the family themselves, will still need to use a physical check-in station to complete check-in and print labels.

Express Check-In is designed for fast, secure, touchless check-in. For safety reasons to ensure the child is only released to an authorized guardian, check-outs can not be processed with Express Check-In. A check-out via a smartphone device alone doesn’t allow volunteers or staff to see the person checking the child out to confirm matching codes or that they are listed as an authorized guardian.

Express Check-In works on both Apple iOS and Google Android mobile devices.

Express Check-In is a form of mobile check-in where families can initiate check-in on their smartphone without being onsite at your facility, then complete check-in and print labels upon arrival (with licensed ExpressHub to label printer).There is also the option for your organization to use a licensed iPhone, iPad or Android tablet to check families in at your facility. This is a version of check-in where the mobile device, manned by an employee or volunteer, is used as the check-in station.

The check-in will not be fully completed, no labels will print, and therefore no check-in will be recorded as having occurred.  Also, the uncompleted Express Check-In will be cleared from the parents mobile device at the end of the day.

Yes. The check-in options are the same whether using Express Check-In or being at a physical check-in station.  The children, locations, volunteer check-in and other options such as number of labels, pick-up guardian, and check-in notes are all still available.

Yes! There is a free Express parent communication toolkit available for you to download to inform and encourage parents around Express Check-In. These include a quick, fun introduction video, parent notification letter, parent instructions, how-to parent instructions video, ‘business’ cards, and wall or table top signs to put in your check-in area.  Download the full kit here or individual items are available here under “Express Check-In Introduction Tools” section.

Anywhere they have an internet or cellular data connection.

For label printing with Express Check-In, your organization will need a licensed ExpressHub and label printer. Parents can start check-in offsite, but will need to be at your physical facility to complete check-in and prompt printing.  After starting a check-in, once they arrive at the facility, the ExpressHub will recognize the check-in and associated mobile device. A ‘submit’ button will be enabled on the users smartphone and they will be prompted by a notification on their mobile device that check-in is ready to be completed.  They simply tap ‘submit’ to complete check-in and the appropriate child name labels and guardian receipts will print via the ExpressHub to the associated label printer. No standing in line, no using a check-in station.

Families will need to be at the facility to complete check-in and prompt printing.  Once the parent’s mobile device is within Bluetooth range, the ExpressHub will recognize the mobile device and provide a notification to the user to complete check in and initiate printing.

If your organization’s process does not utilize child name labels or guardian receipts, you can still use Express Check-In without printing labels.  You will still need an ExpressHub to complete the check-in, but do not have to have an associated label printer attached.

To use Express Check-In, the parents/guardians will need to download the free KidCheck mobile app from the Apple App Store of Google Play Store and create/use their personal (also free) KidCheck account. If the organization has enabled Express Check-In, families can start check-in, from anywhere with an internet or data connection, by using the KidCheck app on their mobile device.

If you have a visitor who has never checked in, they can still use Express Check-In. To do so, they’ll need to:

1. Download the KidCheck mobile app from the app store (or can easily done by scanning the QR code on the ExpressHub)
2. Create an Account from the login screen
3. Log into the app
4. Tap on the Check-In area of the app and select Express Check-In
5. Follow the Express Check-In prompts to initiate an Express Check-In (as long as they are near a ExpressHub at your location, your organization will show up as available for an Express Check-In for a new user)

A parent will be able to print labels and finish their Express Check-In once within Bluetooth range of the ExpressHub. This allows parents to maintain control of knowing when (and where) their labels print and to be able to retrieve the correct labels for the correct families.

If multiple ExpressHub devices and/or printers are detected by the parent’s mobile device when completing check-in, they will see a list of available printers and be prompted to select which one they’d like to use.  We recommend the ExpressHub and associated printers are descriptively named and clearly labeled.

No ratio will be affected, nor will a spot be held in a location, until the Express Check-In is completed. Capacities and ratios are verified and updated only when a check-in is completed, not when an Express Check-In is started. When completing the Express Check-In, parents will be notified should a location already be full.

A check-in processed through Express Check-In will be recognized exactly the same way as a check-in processed through a traditional check-in station.