Set Up: System Configurations
Configure your core center infrastructure, ratio limits, and facility settings. Learn how to set up age groups, staff ratios, classrooms or spaces, programs, locations, and internal task lists, while managing system customizations and policy agreements for digital parent sign-off.
- How to Add Centers to your OrganizationThis article explains how to create, configure, and manage centers within the Child Friendly platform at the organization level. You will learn how to add, edit, clone, and delete centers, configure payout and merchant fee settings, set up public registration redirects, and access key portal links.
- How to Set Up TasksUse the Tasks category in the Organization settings (within the Setup module) to define and maintain the list of staff tasks you want to track for payroll, reporting, and grant purposes. Tasks allow you to distinguish how many hours staff spend on different activities (e.g., childcare, prep, cleaning, transportation), which can support differentiated pay rates and grant submissions tied to specific work performed.
- How to Configure Center Ages, Ratios, Schools & Transport GroupsUse this process to configure the General settings for each center in your organization, including age groups, ratio rules, and schools and transport details. These settings form the foundation for programs, rates, registration rules, and attendance workflows.
- How to Set Up Spaces within a CenterThis article explains how to configure physical “spaces” in your center so staff and children can be accurately signed in and out for attendance, ratios, task and compliance tracking. You will complete these steps for each individual center.
- How to Set Up Groups within a CenterUse the Groups section in the Setup module to define how children are grouped for registration at your center. Groups are registration groupings (e.g., Sunbeams, Raccoons), distinct from physical spaces (e.g., Ladybugs classroom, gym). Proper setup ensures your groups align with your licensing approvals specific to your center, including, capacities, and permitted age ranges.
- How to Set Up Programs within a CenterUse this process to configure programs for a specific center so that families can see and register for them online. Programs define what parents see, how age eligibility works, which groups and rates apply, and how enrollment, deposits, and rollovers are managed.
- How to Set Up Custom Registration Questions & Online Deposit TermsThis document explains how to configure online registration tab settings for a specific center, including deposit terms and custom registration questions that appear to parents during online enrollment.
- How to Set Up Agreements & Policies for Parent Sign OffUse this process to configure, update, and maintain parent agreement documents (such as policies and handbooks) for each center. Parents will review and sign these non-fillable PDF agreements through the parent portal during online registration, and signed copies will be stored in the child’s digital file cabinet and remain accessible to both admin and parents.
- How to Configure the Health Section in Set UpThis process walks you through configuring health-related custom information for your center in the setup module, including custom immunizations and health symptoms used in digital health and incident reports.
- How to Configure Prohibited Meal Types in Center SetupUse this process to configure prohibited meal types for your center so parents can indicate which menu meals their children should not receive, helping your kitchen staff plan appropriate meals and alternatives such as vegitarian options.
- How to Set Up Custom Staff RolesThis article explains how to configure and manage staff positions in the Staff custom section within the Setup module for a specific center. These positions are later used in the Staff module when assigning roles to staff members.
- How to Authenticate your Domain & Configure Automated EmailsThis article explains how to authenticate your email domain and configure automated emails in ChildFriendly so that messages are sent directly from your center's professional email address and are less likely to be marked as spam. You will learn how to: - Authenticate Your Domain: Set up secure, professional email delivery to keep your messages out of parent spam folders. - Automate the Enrollment Pipeline: Configure automated emails that trigger seamlessly at every stage of the family journey—starting from the initial Inquiry, moving to the Tour, all the way to fully Registered. - Save Administrative Time: Keep parents consistently informed and engaged throughout the entire enrollment process without requiring manual follow-ups from your front office staff.
- How to Set Up Kiosk Mode for Parent Direct Sign InUse kiosk mode to allow parents to sign their children in at a reception-area tablet before proceeding to the child’s room. This configuration is optional and is generally used only by centers that specifically want a front-reception sign-in workflow instead of (or in addition to) staff signing-in children directly, as they arrive at their room.
- The Set Up Module's Custom Configurations Section GuideThis document explains the final configuration options for your center in ChildFriendly. Use these settings to control email behavior during setup, attendance handling, parent communications, reporting requirements, registration fields, and expiry reminders so they align with your center’s operational and regulatory needs.