Arrival: attendance data collection

Currently, kindergartens use either digital or paper-based systems for parents and carers to sign their children into and out of kindergarten each day.

To support information collection, we have launched a new system called Arrival to replace the paper-based systems used at some kindergartens. This means kindergartens will either use Arrival or their current digital system to collect attendance data.

To ensure that an authorised person is dropping off and collecting children from the service, Arrival will also record that person’s:

• name
• mobile phone number
• relationship to the child.

If your child has missed a session, for example due to illness, you will be prompted to select a reason the next time you sign your child in.

The collection of this new information will have no impact on your child’s place at kindergarten.

The attendance data collected in Arrival will be reported to the department securely to help the department to plan supports for children and families.

The department may also share de-identified attendance information, meaning your and your child’s name will not be shared, in the following circumstances:

• to meet national reporting obligations. Some attendance information will be shared with the Australian Bureau of Statistics so that they can report on the numbers of children attending kindergarten in Australia each year
• to help academic researchers study part of the childcare or kindergarten system in Victoria.

All information will be handled in accordance with the Department of Education’s Privacy Policy and relevant privacy legislation including the Privacy and Data Protection Act 2014 (Vic) and the Health Records Act 2001 (Vic).

If you need to update or correct your personal information, please contact your kindergarten service.

Digital sign in sign out allows families to sign their child in and out of kindergarten sessions using a device at the kindergarten service.

Step 1: Your kindergarten service will let you know when they will start using Arrival. Parents and authorised nominees (people permitted to collect a child) will be provided with a temporary personal identification number (PIN) to access the system.

Step 2: When you use Arrival for the first time, you will be prompted to enter your mobile number and your temporary personal identification number (PIN) on the device's screen. You will then be prompted to reset your PIN.

Step 3: You will use your new PIN and your mobile number to sign your child in and out of kindergarten each day.

If you or someone else that is authorised to drop off and collect your child does not have a mobile phone number, a member of staff at your kindergarten can sign your child in and out.

Signing your child in and out of a session is a simple process.

Step 1: You will enter your mobile number and PIN into the system

Step 2: You will be prompted to sign your child in or out of the selected session

Step 3: If your child has missed a previous session, for example due to illness, you will also be prompted to select a reason for their absence.