PARENT PAGER FAQ

Q. What is the main advantage of using Parent Pager?

A. SAFETY - The main advantage is the photo identification system, which is central to the security features. Photo ID is used on check-in and check-out slips. All authorized guardians permitted to claim a child, can be pictured on the child’s check-out slip. We ask that photos be taken for children and parents. No more random number tags that so often are misplaced.

EFFICIENCY - Once your family has been registered in the system, the time it will take to check-in ALL your kids should be less than 30 seconds, no matter which service you attend. Once your children are checked in, take the name tag stickers that print out and stick them on each child, grab their check-in slips off the printer and drop your kids off at the room printed on their name tag.

CONNECTING - This program will help us connect with you better and hopefully help you connect with us better, too.

Q. Is the use of computers impersonal?

A. No. While at first you may fear that using computers to check in children may be a cold, impersonal process, you will soon experience that Parent Pager truly enables our caregivers and teachers to focus more effectively on your child’s needs.

Q. I don't have any computer skills. Will I be able to learn how to do this?

A. Yes. Touch screen monitors decrease user anxiety for people without basic computer skills, while at the same time, increasing user speed. In addition, a Parent Pager attendant is right there to help you if needed.

Q. Where are the touch screen kiosks located?

A. There are five check-in stations in the building -- a computer for guests at the Welcome Center in the lobby, a kiosk in the lobby, a kiosk outside Fellowship Hall by the Courtyard stairs, a kiosk at the entrance to the 2nd floor early childhood classrooms and a computer at the nursery check-in desk.

Q. How will Parent Pager help with communication with a parent?

A. If one of your children needs you, we will notify you via your cell phone. If you do not carry a cell phone, you can check-out a pager to use that Sunday.

Q. Will I be able to receive a page anywhere in the facility?

A. Yes. The pagers are “premise pagers.” They will receive a page anywhere in the building or up to one mile away.

Q. How much longer will this system take for me to check in my child?

A. Once you have your photos taken, you can check in your children as quickly as 30 seconds.

Q. What happens if I lose my pager?

A. Remember, pagers will only be assigned in special cases so most of you won't have to worry about this. For those of you who have a pager assigned, the only way you can pick up your child is to have a check-out sheet. The only way you can get your child’s check-out sheet is to return the pager. If you lose the pager, you will need to go to one of the check-in stations, where they will verify that you checked in the child and you are authorized to pick up the child. If the pager is not found, a replacement charge of $100 will be assessed.

Q. Will guests have to use the Parent Pager system?

A. Yes. It only takes a minute to do a quick registration of the entire family. This can be done at the Welcome Center check-in station in the lobby. For safety, we require at least the photo of the guardian who will pick the children up, but ideally all the children's pictures as well. Once the data entry is complete, the next time they check into the system, it will be as quick as everyone else.

Q. What if I forget to check out my children on Parent Pager? Or what if I'm staying for two services?

A. Our volunteer staff will direct you to the nearest Parent Pager station to check out your child and bring back a check-out slip to the classroom. If you are staying for two services, Parent Pager has the ability to automatically move your child to the second service if he/she is not picked up after the first service. Please talk to one of our Registration volunteers if your children will be staying for two services so they can explain the process.

Q. If I have a problem with Parent Pager, who will be available to help me?

A. A trained volunteer will be at the check-in area to assist you.

Q. What happens if Parent Pager goes down during a service hour?

A. We will use a manual check-in/check-out system.

Q. What if I already checked in and need to check out when the system goes down?

A. The check-in sheets will be checked for photo verification at time of pick up. A photo ID will be required.

Q. How do I add other authorized individuals to the system?

A. Please go to the Welcome Center check-in station in the lobby with that authorized individual. Our trained volunteer staff will be able to take a picture of the authorized individual and add the information to the system regarding the household.

Q. I hear that we need to be fingerprinted to use this system. Isn't that a little extreme?

A. We ask that each guardian scan both thumb prints into our system. Parent Pager takes your finger and translates it into a code. This code is not extractable from the system, nor can we reproduce your fingerprint. The main purpose of this is for you to quickly access your household's information without having to carry a proximity card. Each of the check-in/out stations is equipped with a finger ID scanner. It's a fast, safe, inexpensive and reliable way to know that you're the right person to sign in/out your children. Visit the Using Biometrics page listed to the right for additional FAQs.

Q. How do I check in a child (friend of son/daughter) who is visiting without a parent?

A. Please go to one of the check-in stations, where a volunteer will add the visiting child to the system with the host parents as guardians.

Q. How can I help the Children's Ministry staff and volunteers?

A. Please arrive early, return pagers if you have one, volunteer and be patient and understanding.

Q. How do we check in at the classroom?

A. Once you print out your check-in slips each service, parents may divide the children and take them to different classrooms to help speed up the process. Older siblings (13 years and older) can also take children to the actual classrooms, as long as they are authorized and their photo is on the check-in/out slip.

All you have to do at the classroom is hand the greeting teacher your check-in slip and check if there are any snacks or classroom-specific duties for which to sign up.

Q. How do we check out at the classroom?

A. Take your printed check-out slips (printed when you return the the kiosk and complete the check-out process) to the child's classroom, where the teachers/greeters will match your photo on the slip and release your child to you or an authorized person shown on the slip. Older siblings (13 years and older) can also pick up children from the actual classrooms, as long as they are authorized and their photo is on the check-in/out slip.