Children Sunday Morning
Digital Checkin: Frequently Asked Questions
In an effort to provide security for children, Parkside Church utilizes a digital check-in system. A digital check-in system requires that every child (birth-5th grade) be registered in order to enter any children’s ministry activity. Here are some frequently asked questions (and answers) parents may have:
I am unsure if I registered my children. How can I find out?
You may do one of two things:
1) Register now to be safe. It is always best for us to have the most current & accurate information about your family in our database.
2) Stop at the Children's Wing desk and ask the staff member to look your family up in our database.
Where will I check my child(ren) in on Sundays?
There are six kiosks located on the first (main) floor of the Children’s Wing/nursery hallway. Three kiosks are located near the main stairwell of the Children's Wing. Three kiosks are in close proximity to the nursery wing (in the hallway between nursery and the Children's Wing).
How will I check my child(ren) in on Sundays?
Each kiosk has a touchscreen where you will enter a 7-digit or 10-digit phone number for your family. The names of family member matching that last name will appear on the screen. Class options available for check-in will appear next to names of children in your family; the classes that are "open" for check-in will have a blue box next to the name(s). You will select only those children in your family and who are in attendance for that day by tapping on the blue box(es). Once you have selected all the classes for all children, you will tap the green "Print Labels, Return" button to receive nametags and a parent receipt for your family.
We come to multiple services on Sunday. How will this work?
You will check-in for morning services and for evening service separately. For morning services, there will be an option to check-in to more than one activity. For example, a child may be checked into a Kids QUEST class at 9:45 and 11:15.
What happens after I select the children I am checking in for that day?
A printer will be at each kiosk, and you will receive a nametag label for your child and another label (receipt) for you to keep. Nursery children will receive TWO nametags. One goes on the child; the other is given to the nursery worker in the room. The second label is your paging & security receipt for your family. This receipt must be shown to the classroom leader to pick up your child. If you are staying for multiple activities or have more than one child, you will simply show the receipt to the leader in the first room so that he/she may verify the matching number, and then keep the receipt to give to the leader at final pickup.
Where do I place the nametag label on my child?
Nametags should be applied to the backs of children birth-3 years of age. Nametags can be affixed to the front of shirts for children 4 years and older; however, we recognize that some children might be tempted to remove the tags. We will communicate if a change in nametag location needs to take place. It is important that parents discuss with their children the need to keep the nametag on at all times. This nametag will have important information (such as paging numbers and allergy information) on it, and pick-up will be greatly slowed down if a nametag is missing.
How will I be paged if my child needs me?
You will receive a text message with your child's first name to indicate he or she needs assistance, using the phone number listed in our database (and the one you use to check-in). We typically text the MOM's cellphone first, and if no response, we then text Dad's cellphone (or next primary adult). Please leave your cell phone ON (silenced) and VISIBLE to you at all times when your child is checked into Children's Ministry.
We will be bringing guests or visitors occasionally who will not be registered in advance. How do they get checked in?
Visitors should go to the information desk on the main floor of the Children’s Wing. A friendly volunteer will assist them in obtaining basic information so that we can print a nametag and parent receipt.
What ages of children will need to be picked up by a parent?
All children birth-3rd grade will need to be picked up by a parent or authorized adult (i.e., one who has the receipt). 4th-5th graders may be released on their own but only after parental authorization has been obtained. Authorization forms will be available in the 4th-5th grade rooms and must be completed each fall when children are promoted to new classes.
What happens if I lose my parent receipt?
No child will be released without a receipt (unless self-release authorization has been given by parent for 4th/5th grader). A parent (or classroom leader) will need to locate a pastor or Children's Ministry staff person who will be brought to the classroom to verify identity of parent and to authorize release.
Do I have to check my child out at a kiosk?
No, after you give the parent receipt to the classroom leader, your child is considered checked-out for that service.