Updates to State System

The Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) listens to feedback from providers. Based on that feedback updates are made to improve how the electronic attendance system works.

With each update, providers and families may notice some changes. DCYF will keep a list of all the updates and past changes on this page.

April 2026 Update

The updates below are coming to the state’s electronic attendance system on April 3, 2026.

What's New for Providers? 

Maintenance (Small Updates):

  • The system will have a new look, but it will work the same.
  • KinderConnect and KinderSign may look a little different. 

Improvements:

  • The KinderSmart  Registration Form will be easier to find at the top of the Sponsor Detail screen.
  • Announcements and messages in KinderConnect will be easier to see on the home screen.
  • If you forget your password, you will get a one-time code sent to your email for added security. 

Resources:

  • The Electronic Attendance System Manual has been updated.
  • New and updated resources will be available for providers and families.

What's New for Families? 

The KinderSmart app will look a little different but will work the same. 

What to Expect During the Update

  • DCYF will let providers know when the update will happen.
  • KinderConnect, KinderSign, and KinderSmart will not be available during the update.
  • The system may be down for a longer period than usual.

Exact times will be posted on the KinderConnect home screen. If you need to track attendance while the system is down:

  • Use paper records.
  • Enter the information into KinderConnect once the system is back online. 

Important: Providers must keep daily paper attendance records when the system or internet is unavailable.

When entering those records later, add a note that says: “System down for upgrade.”

What to Do After the Update

  • Both KinderSign and KinderSmart apps must be updated to work with the new system. 
  • The updates will not be available the system update is complete.

For Providers: 

  • Update the KinderSign app on your tablet using Google Play Store or Apple App Store.

For Families:

  • Update the KinderSmart app on your phone

Important: If families delete the app instead of updating it, they may need to register again using the KinderSmart Registration Form in KinderConnect.

Past Updates

March 2022 

  • Fixed issues with attendance records being deleted. 
  • Improved Spanish translations. 
  • Allowed more attendance entries in one day.
  • Improved reports for overnight care.
  • Added system tracking to help fix device issues.

What to Know: 

  • The system was down for a short time. 
  • Providers used paper records during the outage. 
  • Providers needed to update the KinderSign app after.  The updates below are coming to the state's electronic attendance system on March 16, 2022.

August 2020 

  • Providers can reset passwords by email. 
  • Reports load faster.

What to know: 

  • KinderConnect was temporarily unavailable.
  • Tablet apps could be updated after. 

March 2020 

  • Added a search bar to find children more easily. 
  • New attendance summary view in KinderSign. 
  • Language options (English/Spanish) added.

March 2019 

  • First major system update. 
  • Added messaging, better reports, and overnight care tracking. 
  • Allowed multiple check-ins per day. 
  • Added offline mode for tablets.

What to know: 

  • Providers and families needed to download new apps.
  • Some setup and registration were required.