SMS Messaging

SMS Messaging

Enable Messaging

In order to use the SMS messaging feature, you must have the Connect Package.

The SMS messaging feature in KinderLogix allows educators to communicate directly with parents, via the mobile app, but because SMS messaging requires a phone number you must first select a number to use for your centre.  The number you select will be assigned to your account and all messaging will go through that number.  This number can not be used on your cell phone, but only in the KinderLogix mobile app.

You can enable SMS messaging on the KinderLogix desktop app (https://web.kinderlogix.com), on the Daily Reports page.



Enable SMS messaging, then search for a number.



A phone number is required to send SMS messages.  This number will be assigned to your KinderLogix account.  After you select your number, it’s a good idea to notify all your parents via email about your new messaging number and that if they receive a text message from this number, that it is a message from your centre.

All available numbers are listed here, and you simply need to choose one.  You may not find a number in your city but try to find one closest to where you are.



Click "reserve" to secure the number you want.  After selecting your number, it may show as pending. Press the refresh button to see if it's ready to go.



When your number shows as active, you're done, and you can now send messages to the parents from your mobile app.

Overview

SMS Messaging is done through the KinderLogix mobile app for educators, which is available for download from the Apple App store, the Google Play Store and the Microsoft Store.  You can also access the app via your browser by navigating to https://app.kinderlogix.com.

The Messaging page on the KinderLogix mobile app allows you to communicate directly with the parents via SMS.  When you send a message via this page, the parents will receive the message in default texting app and any responses they send will be sent directly to you in the KinderLogix mobile app.  There's no need for parents to download an app.  If your app is on a different page, KinderLogix will notify you of missed messages at the top of your page.  You can only send messages to either the mother or the father if they have a valid cell phone number listed on their profile page.

InfoTip:  If you have a tablet in each room, you might want to create a user for each room, and limit each user to see only the children in their own room.  This is called a User Room Restriction.

Sending a Message

You can select a family to message by selecting "Messaging" from the main menu, which will give you a list of all currently active families. Families with the most recent messages will be listed at the top.  Any families without messages will be listed alphabetically below those with messages. 

A red notification badge, indicates the number of unread messages for that family.  A closed envelope indicates all messages are read.  Tap the closed envelope to mark the latest message as unread.  This can be useful if you accidentally read a message that was intended for a different room, or you want another staff member to also notice the message. 



Selecting a family will give you the option to switch between either parent, as long as each parent has their own cell phone number.  If a parent has no cell phone number, their name will not be listed.




It's also possible to open the messaging window directly from the child attendance page.  Tap the child's name to reveal the options, then select "Messaging".

Messages can includes emojis and hyperlinks, but not images or videos.  Hyperlinks must be typed in all lowercase.



Receiving a Message

How Often KinderLogix Checks for New Messages

KinderLogix automatically checks for new messages in the background:
  1. Every 30 seconds when you are not on a messaging page
  2. Every 5 seconds when you have a specific family’s messaging page open
This ensures new messages appear quickly without requiring you to refresh the page.

Notification Badges

When a new message arrives, KinderLogix displays a red notification badge in three places:
  1. On the Messaging menu item
  2. Next to the family name in the messaging list
  3. Next to the Messaging option under the child’s name on the Attendance page
These badges show the number of unread messages so you can quickly see where attention is needed.

Notification Sounds

If SMS notifications are enabled for your account, KinderLogix will play a sound each time a new message is received.
  1. You can choose from several notification sounds.
  2. The sound is not device‑specific—everyone in your organization hears the same tone.
  3. This setting can be enabled or modified in the Notifications panel of the Settings page on the mobile app.



Group Messaging

It's also possible to send an SMS message to multiple families at the same time.  Select the Group Messaging option at the top of the main messaging list.  (Select "Messaging" from the main menu)


Select the group, or multiple groups, that you want to message.  



When you click "New Message" the messaging page will open, and both parents for each family will be listed.  Each parent that has a unique cellphone number will be selected by default.  If two parents have the same cell phone number, the second will be listed as a "duplicate".  Only one message will be sent to that phone number.  Enter your message at the bottom of the page, and send. 

Each selected parent will receive the message in their SMS texting app.  As each parent replies to your message, those replies will be listed in the messaging page for their individual family.  This is not a group chat feature, but merely a way to send the same message to multiple phone numbers at the same time.



Avoiding Spam Filters

Sending a group SMS can increase your risk of having your message flagged as spam by the individual cell phone carriers, and may be blocked from some recipients.  The following practices may cause carriers to flag your message as spam and block it for some users.
  1. Keywords such as "free", "urgent", "act now", "limited offer". 
  2. Excessive punctation
  3. ALL CAPS
  4. Hyperlinks
  5. Long or multi-segment messages
  6. Sending to large groups
  7. Sending multiple group messages within minutes
Best Practices
  1. Wait 30–60 seconds between batches to avoid carrier spam filters.
  2. Personalize the message when possible (name, small wording changes).
  3. Avoid links, especially shortened URLs.
  4. Keep the message short and conversational.
  5. Avoid “spammy” words like free, urgent, act now, or excessive punctuation.
  6. Only message people who expect to hear from you.
  7. Don’t send to multiple large groups back‑to‑back without spacing them out.