Case Study

How Minikins saved 325 hours and transformed their reporting process

A long day care centre in Melbourne optimising reporting time by approx 90% ensuring report quality and EYLF & VEYLDF alignment.

0Reports generated
0Reporting hours saved
$0Saved for your centre*
100%Curriculum aligned

* Based on AUD $30/hr blended educator wage. Actual savings vary by Award classification.

At a Glance

Centre Type
Long Day Care
Location
Melbourne, VIC
Children
~50 enrolled
Team
Multiple educators

The Situation

Minikins is a well-established long day care centre in Melbourne with around 50 enrolled children. Like many centres its size, the team was managing a steady volume of documentation alongside daily care responsibilities.

Each educator was spending 15 to 20 minutes per report, often completing documentation after hours or during rest periods. The cumulative time spent on reporting was taking educators away from what matters most, meaningful engagement with children.

The centre director identified three key challenges:

Before & After

Before
  • • 15–20 min per report
  • • Hours lost weekly to documentation
  • • Reports often completed after hours
  • • Families received basic text summaries
After
  • • Under 2 min per report
  • • Minutes per week on documentation
  • • Reports completed during the day
  • • Families receive professional PDF reports

The Results

650+
Reports Generated
325+
Hours Saved
<2 min
Per Report (down from 15–20)
100%
EYLF & VEYLDF Aligned

What the Team Says

“The reports are better than what we were writing manually, and they take a fraction of the time. Our educators love it.”— Centre Director
“I used to dread end-of-term reporting. Now I look forward to it because the quality of what goes home to families is something I'm genuinely proud of.”— Lead Educator, Kindergarten Room

Impact on Families

Since adopting Smart Story Studio, Minikins has seen a noticeable shift in how families engage with their children's documentation:

Compliance & Quality Assurance

Every report generated through Smart Story Studio is aligned with the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF) and the Victorian Early Years Learning and Development Framework (VEYLDF). The centre director noted that curriculum alignment is no longer a training burden — the platform handles it consistently, regardless of an educator's experience level.

This was particularly valuable during Assessment and Rating preparation, where documentation quality is closely reviewed.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long did it take to get started?+

The centre was up and running within a day. There is no complex setup or migration. Educators download the app, log in with their centre code, and start generating reports immediately.

Did educators need training?+

Minimal. The platform is designed to be intuitive for educators of all experience levels. Most staff were comfortable within their first few reports. For centres that want structured onboarding, training is available.

How does it handle different age groups?+

Reports are tailored to the child's age and developmental stage. The same platform works across nursery, toddler, and kindergarten rooms with age-appropriate language and EYLF outcome alignment.

Are the reports actually good enough for Assessment and Rating?+

Yes. All reports are fully aligned with the EYLF and include curriculum connections, learning outcome references, and children's voices. Centres have used these reports as part of their A&R documentation with positive feedback from assessors.

What about children with additional needs?+

Educators can include specific observations and context. The platform adapts content to reflect individual learning journeys, making it suitable for all children including those with additional support needs.

Can families see the reports?+

Reports are exported as professional PDF documents that centres share with families through their preferred channel — email, printed copies, or via their existing parent communication app.

What happens to our data?+

All data is stored securely in Australia. We comply with Australian Privacy Principles and take data security seriously, particularly when it comes to information about children. Centres retain full ownership of their data.

Is this just a template system?+

No. Every report is unique and generated based on the specific observations, context, and developmental information provided by the educator. No two reports are the same, even for the same child.

What if we want to customise report formats?+

The platform produces professional PDF reports that work for the vast majority of centres. For organisations with specific formatting or branding requirements, custom options are available on our higher-tier plans.

How does this compare to writing reports manually?+

On average, educators save 13 to 18 minutes per report. Even for a smaller centre, that adds up to hours each week returned to meaningful time with children.

Ready to see similar results at your centre?