Hello,
I'm David 👋

DCT-Nursery

Streamlining Childcare Management and Billing

Status

Role and Responsibilities

• Sole Developer
• Conceptualized and implemented a solution for efficient billing data management corresponding with the transition to a new payment system.

Technologies Used

• Frontend: Xcode, Swift
• Backend: Parse-Server, NodeJS (DCT-Backend)

Problem Solved

• Transitioned from cash-based payment to an automated bank transfer system, necessitating a reliable method to generate monthly and anual billing data and reporting.
• Managed complexities of different billing plans for a large number of children each day.
• Automated calculations and reporting for institutional childcare subsidies, including detailed monthly attendance breakdowns and free early childhood education claims required by government agencies.

Solution

Developed an iOS app with a user-friendly interface for easy data entry and management with the following features:

• A calendar-based main screen for daily group attendance and billing plan overview.
• Day view for detailed attendance, including pick-up times and billing plans.
• Efficient member addition with name filtering or QR code scanning.
• Backend integration for data processing and report generation (DCT-Backend).

Impact

• Time-saving: Estimated to save at least one hour daily and significant time monthly and annually for report generation.
• Accuracy: Substantially reduced billing errors over 5 years of use.
• Customized Solution: Surpassed off-the-shelf alternatives in meeting the unique billing structure of the school.
• Extended Application: Successfully implemented in a partner school with similar positive feedback.

Screenshots

DCT-Logger

Simplifying Child Portfolio Creation

Status

Role and Responsibilities

• Sole Developer
• Designed and implemented an app to streamline the creation of child portfolios for kindergarten teachers.

Technologies Used

• Xcode, Swift, Parse-Server, AWS S3, Backblaze B2, Dropbox
• Integrated with DCT-Backend for data handling and document creation.

Problem Solved

• Addressed the time-consuming task of manually creating multiple child portfolios in a specific format.
• Replaced a cumbersome process involving transferring images to a computer, formatting in Word, and managing files.

Solution

DCT-Logger, an iOS app enabling teachers to create portfolios directly from iPod Touch devices with the following features:

• Easy posting of images with date and text, automatically formatted and saved as a Word document in Dropbox.
• Efficient tracking of portfolio creation for each child to ensure equitable attention.
• A feed to view all portfolios in chronological order, enabling teacher to quickly view, edit or delete entries.

Impact

• Significantly reduced the time and effort involved in portfolio creation.
• Eliminated layout inconsistencies and formatting challenges, ensuring uniformity in portfolios.
• Enabled teachers to focus on capturing quality content rather than managing technical aspects.

Screenshots

DCT-Terminal

Automated Child Pickup Tracking System

Status

Role and Responsibilities

• Sole Developer
• Tasked with developing a solution for accurately tracking child pickup times and managing additional fees.

Technologies Used

• React-Native, Expo, EAS
• Integrated with DCT-Backend for data management.
• QR Code scanning and offline data storage functionality.

Problem Solved

• Addressed the challenge of accurately tracking child pickup times, particularly for late pickups with additional fees.
• Replaced manual timekeeping and decision-making by teachers, reducing workload and potential disputes.

Solution

DCT-Terminal, a mobile app designed for ease of use, energy efficiency, and offline functionality with the following features:

• Simple, intuitive interface with QR code scanning for instant pickup confirmation.
• Offline functionality to record timestamps in areas without internet connectivity.
• Local data caching with synchronization capabilities to the backend.
• Teacher discretion in applying additional fees, with timestamps as a reliable reference.
• User-friendly and visually appealing design, suitable for a preschool environment.

Impact

• Eliminated the need for teachers to manually track pickup times, significantly reducing their end-of-day workload.
• Provided a reliable and dispute-free system for applying additional fees.
• Improved the overall efficiency of the daily reporting process, integrating pickup times seamlessly.

Screenshots

DCT-Backend

Centralized Data Management and Report Generation

Status

Role and Responsibilities

• Sole Developer
• Designed and implemented a backend system to integrate and automate various school management processes.

Technologies Used

• Backend: Parse-Server, NodeJS, MongoDB Atlas
• Deployment and Security: Docker Compose, Traefik Reverse Proxy, SSL Certificates
• Integration: Dropbox API, AWS S3 (later Backblaze B2), various document generation packages (pdfkit, docx, pizzip, docxtemplater, libreoffice-convert)

Problem Solved

• Facilitated the transition from cash-based payments to bank transfers by automating billing and report generation.
• Managed complex data from multiple sources (attendance, billing, child portfolios) for streamlined operations.

Solution

Built a robust backend infrastructure capable of handling diverse data types and generating various reports with the following features:

• Centralized data repository including child details, class divisions, attendance, and billing plans.
• Automated creation of daily reports, monthly billing statements, and annual compliance reports.
• Secure image handling for child portfolios with authorization checks and signed URLs.
• Efficient data synchronization and accessibility through Dropbox for staff and sister school.

Impact

• Significant reduction in manual data processing time, estimated to save countless hours annually.
• Near elimination of errors in billing and reporting, ensuring accuracy and compliance.
• Customization and flexibility to meet unique operational needs of the school.