Drop-off and pick-up

Time windows, not appointments

When you book, your daycare may offer time windows — like "drop-off 7:00–8:00am" — instead of a fixed time. Arrive any time inside your window and you're on time. No rushing because you're "seven minutes late" for a 7:15 slot.

Your confirmation email and the booking in the portal show both windows:

• Drop-off window — when to arrive in the morning.
• Pick-up window — when to collect your dog.

A couple of things worth knowing:

• If your dog is overtired, anxious or off their food, staff can see your pick-up window and give you a call within it to suggest an early collection — so answer the phone on daycare days.
• Running outside your window? Ring the daycare. Late pick-ups can attract a fee at some facilities, and they need to know who's still waiting for collection.

If your daycare doesn't use windows, you'll see an exact drop-off time instead — same idea, just be there at that time.

QR code check-in

Many daycares check dogs in by scanning a QR code — it's the fastest way through a busy morning reception.

• From your phone: open your booking in the portal to show its QR code, or use the code on your booking confirmation. Staff scan it and your dog is checked in — one tap, done.
• Collar tag: some daycares print a QR tag that lives on your dog's collar. Scanning it finds today's booking automatically, so you never need to open the app at the door. If the tag wears out or gets lost, just ask for a new one — it's free to reprint.

The code is unique to your booking (or your dog), so a screenshot of someone else's code won't check your dog in.

If there's a balance owing: the code screen will say so — "Balance due" with the amount and "settle at the desk". Staff may ask you to settle up at reception before they scan your dog in, so it's worth clearing it ahead of time from the booking in the portal or under Billing → Open balances.

If the QR code won't scan

No drama — staff can always check your dog in manually by name. The QR code is a shortcut, not a requirement. A cracked phone screen protector or bright sunlight on the screen is the usual culprit; turning screen brightness up helps.

Checking out

Same routine in reverse: scan (or say your dog's name), and your dog is signed out with the time recorded. Your booking history in the portal keeps the actual check-in and check-out times, handy for the "who collected the dog on Thursday?" household debates.