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The mobile staff app provides powerful tools for managing daily nursery operations directly from your phone or tablet. This guide will help you install, set up, and start using the app effectively.

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Installing the App

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Download and Installation

The Pigeonhole app can be downloaded from the play store on android or the apple store on iOS.
Download on the App StoreGet it on Google Play

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First-Time Login

When you first open the tap “Sign In” to proceed to the login screen. You can then login with your credentials to setup the app for use. Sign in screen
Your login credentials are the same as those you use for the web system. If you don’t have login details, contact your nursery administrator.

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Site Selection

If your nursery has multiple locations:
  1. Select your site from the dropdown menu
  2. Confirm your choice - this affects which children and staff you can see
  3. Change sites later if needed from the account screen
Site selection interface

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Using the Staff App

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Using the App on a Shared Device

The app is designed for a shared nursery iPad or tablet. Rather than each staff member signing in separately, a manager signs in once and staff switch between accounts with their own Pigeonhole PIN.
  1. A manager sends each staff member a PIN from the Staff page (Send PIN in the row actions).
  2. A manager signs in to the app once on the shared device.
  3. Staff tap the switch user icon and enter their own PIN to work as themselves.
The app locks itself when it has been in the background for more than a minute, and always asks for the user’s PIN before opening Safeguarding, so only that person sees it.
Don’t set up passkeys on a shared device. A passkey there is unlocked with the device’s own passcode, so anyone who knows it could sign in as you. Use passkeys on your own phone or computer, and your PIN on shared devices. See Which sign-in method should I use?

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Setting a PIN

Your Staff PIN is used for switching to your account on the app when using shared devices, and for confirming protected actions. Your manager can send you a PIN from the Staff page, and you can set or change it yourself on the My Account page of the web application. PIN management interface

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Switching Users

When multiple staff members need to use the same device, you can easily switch users using the PIN functionality. In order to do this:
  1. Click the switch user icon in the bottom tab
Switch user icon 2. Click on the user you wish to sign in and then enter their PIN. User switching interface

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Locked Devices

For security, when you return to the app after it has been in the background for more than a minute, it locks and asks for a PIN before anyone can carry on. Locked device PIN entry

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App Features Overview

Now that you have the app installed and set up, explore these key features:

Child Register

Complete guide to managing daily child attendance, including sign in/out, absences, notes, and room management.

Care Diary

Log nappies, bottles, meals and sleeps for a whole room from your phone, and correct an entry that went in wrong.

Staff Register

Comprehensive coverage of staff attendance management with PIN authentication, time tracking, and administrative features.

Creating Forms

Step-by-step instructions for creating, completing, and managing forms for incidents, observations, and parent communication.

Announcements

Write and submit parent announcements from the app, and approve and send them as a manager.

The Account Tab

Switch between sites, lock the app with Face ID or Touch ID, and sign out.
The mobile app is designed to make your daily nursery operations more efficient and improve communication with parents. Take time to explore each feature and don’t hesitate to ask for help when needed.