WO2018076071A1

WO2018076071A1 - Personnel management system and method therefor

Info

Publication number: WO2018076071A1
Application number: PCT/AU2017/051188
Authority: WO
Inventors: Sharyn Fewster
Original assignee: MiCare Global Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2016-10-28
Filing date: 2017-10-27
Publication date: 2018-05-03
Also published as: AU2017351741A1

Abstract

A childcare staff management system and method for rapid fulfilment of a childcare worker vacancy at a childcare facility. The system includes a database of worker profiles, a tracking module for tracking the location of a mobile communications device associated with one of the worker profiles, a communications interface configured to send a communication to the mobile communications device, and a processor configured to activate the tracking module and determine availability of childcare workers within a pre-determined geographical area of the childcare facility.

Description

PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT SYSTEM AND METHOD THEREFOR

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a staff management system and associated method. The invention has been developed primarily for use in/with staff at a childcare facility and will be described hereinafter with reference to this

application.

Background of the Invention

At present, many staff placements are carried out on a temporary, casual or part-time basis. This may be due to the transient nature or availability of staff that are able willing and/or qualified to fulfil the position, cost savings from the use of temporary staff, or any other reason.

However, the use of temporary or transient staff creates problems in the availability of information related to these staff, and the information available to the staff to be able to carry out their functions effectively. Further, timekeeping of the hours worked may also present administrative problems.

Summary

A staff management system suitable for rapid fulfilment of a childcare worker vacancy at a childcare facility, including: a worker database of replacement worker profiles, each profile including replacement worker contact details, the replacement worker contact details including a mobile communication device identification; a computer-based tracking module configured to determine the location of a mobile communications device having a mobile communication device identification matching the mobile communication device identification in at least one of the replacement worker profiles; a communications interface configured to send an electronic communication to one or more of the mobile communication devices; and a computer processor configured to activate the tracking module to determine a list, within a predetermined geographical area of the childcare facility, of mobile communication devices with a mobile

communication device identification matching at least one of the mobile communication device identifications of the replacement worker profiles, the processor being configured to send, through said communications interface, a replacement request to at least one of the mobile communications devices identified as being within the predetermined geographical region in the list.

In one embodiment, the tracking module is configured to utilize location based services to determine the location of the mobile communications device. In one embodiment, the tracking module is configured to utilize a satellite based geo- positioning system to determine the location of the mobile communications device. In one embodiment, the predetermined geographic area is a

predetermined radius from the childcare facility. In one embodiment, the list is configured to be displayed as a geographical representation on a map. In one embodiment, the processor is configured to send the replacement request based on prior work experience of the replacement worker at the childcare facility. In one embodiment, the processor is configured to rank available replacement worker profiles and send the replacement request to the mobile communications device associated with the highest-ranked replacement worker profile. In one

embodiment, the processor is configured to send the replacement request to the mobile communications device associated with the second highest ranked replacement worker profile after a predetermined time period in which no response is received from the mobile communications device associated with the highest ranked replacement worker profile. In one embodiment, the processor is configured to receive a shift start notification signal indicative of the presence of a mobile communication device identification matching at least one of the replacement worker profiles at a childcare facility.

In one embodiment, the start notification includes an indication of the location of the mobile communication device. In one embodiment, the processor is configured to determine whether the mobile communication device is within a predetermined zone corresponding to the location of a childcare facility. In one embodiment, the processor is configured to receive a shift start confirmation signal from a childcare facility that the mobile communication device is located at, confirming the presence of the replacement worker. In one embodiment, the processor is configured to log a start time for the replacement worker associated with the mobile communication device if the mobile communication device is determined to be within the predetermined zone corresponding to the location of a childcare facility. In one embodiment, the processor is configured to log a start time for the replacement worker associated with the mobile communication device on receipt of a shift start confirmation signal from the childcare facility. In one embodiment, the system further includes a facility database of childcare facilities containing facility data.

In one embodiment, the facility database contains facility information specific to the childcare facility, and the processor is configured to authorize the transmission of facility information to the mobile communication device of the replacement worker when one or more of the following conditions are met: a start time is logged; a shift start signal is received; a shift start confirmation signal is received; and the mobile communication device determined to be within a predetermined zone corresponding to the location of a childcare facility.

In one embodiment, the processor is configured to receive a shift end notification signal from the childcare facility indicative of the time that a

replacement worker has ended their shift. In one embodiment, the processor is configured to receive a shift end notification signal from the mobile

communication device indicative of the time that a replacement worker has ended their shift.

In one embodiment, the shift end notification signal is received automatically when the mobile communication device disconnects a wireless connection with the childcare facility. In one embodiment, the processor is configured to receive a shift end confirmation signal from the childcare facility. In one embodiment, the processor is configured to prevent transmission of facility information to the mobile communication device of the replacement worker when one or more of the following conditions are met: a shift end notification signal is received by the system; and a shift end confirmation signal is received is received by the system.

A system for facilitating automatic worker login at a childcare facility, including: a worker database of childcare facility worker profiles, each profile including worker contact details, the worker contact details including a mobile communication device identification; a computer-based tracking module configured to establish the location of a mobile communications device having a mobile communication device identification matching the mobile communication device identification in at least one of the worker profiles; a communications interface configured to communicate with one or more of the mobile

communication devices; and a computer processor configured to establish, within a predetermined geographical area of the childcare facility, the presence of a mobile communications device associated with one of the worker profiles, the processor being configured to establish a communications link with at least one of the mobile communications devices identified as being within the predetermined geographical region.

In one embodiment, the communications link is established through a network Wi-Fi connection. In one embodiment, the communications link is established through a peer-to-peer connection. In one embodiment, the communications link is established through a Bluetooth connection. In one embodiment, the processor is configured to log a worker associated with the mobile communications device discovered within the predetermined geographical region into a work time keeping system to track hour worked at the childcare facility.

In one embodiment, the processor is configured to receive an input confirming the time that a worker is logged. In one embodiment, the processor is configured to facilitate the transmission of working information to the mobile communications device associated with the worker. In one embodiment, the working information includes child related information. In one embodiment, the working information includes safety information. A method for rapidly fulfilling a childcare worker vacancy at a childcare facility, including: storing a profile of a replacement worker candidate on a worker database, the profile including an identification of the replacement worker candidate's mobile communications device; sending an applications program to the mobile communication device of the replacement worker candidate, the applications program being configured to use the on-board communications circuitry of the mobile communications device to send a signal indicating the location of the mobile communications device; broadcasting a signal within a predetermined geographical area to instruct the applications program to provide the location of the mobile communications device; and sending an electronic communication to at least one mobile communications device identified as being within the predetermined geographical area, the communication sent including a request to fill a worker vacancy at the childcare facility.

In one embodiment, the electronic communication is sent based on a ranking of the replacement worker profile. In one embodiment, the method further includes the step of measuring a predetermined time period and sending a second electronic communication to another mobile communications device after receiving no response from the mobile communication device to which the electronic communication was originally sent.

A mobile system for facilitating automatic worker login at a childcare facility, the system including: a processor; a wireless network interface coupled to the processor; digital storage media operatively connected to the processor, the digital storage media including: a shift logging module configured for directing the processor to establish a location of the mobile system within a predetermined zone at a childcare facility, and to transmit a shift start signal when the location of the mobile system has been established as being within the predetermined zone.

In one embodiment, the shift start signal is transmitted to a remote terminal at a childcare facility. In one embodiment, the shift start signal is transmitted to a service provider system. In one embodiment, the shift logging module is configured for establishing a wireless connection with a terminal at a childcare facility. In one embodiment, the shift logging module is configured to transmit the shift start signal on establishment of the wireless connection with a wireless network at a childcare facility. In one embodiment, the shift logging module is configured to receive an instruction from the terminal at a childcare facility to transmit the shift start signal on establishment of the wireless connection. In one embodiment, the mobile system includes a geo-positioning device, and the shift logging module is configured to determine the location of the mobile system.

In one embodiment, the shift logging module is configured to transmit the determined location of the mobile system to a terminal at the childcare facility. In one embodiment, the shift logging module is configured to transmit the determined location of the mobile system to a service provider. In one embodiment, the shift logging module is configured to transmit the determined location of the mobile system with the shift start signal. In one embodiment, the shift logging module is configured to transmit a request for confirmation of the

In one embodiment, the digital storage media includes a registration module configured for directing the processor to receive worker details and transmit the worker details to a service provider for registration of the worker with the service provider. In one embodiment, the registration module is configured to transmit a location signal to a service provider on receiving a request for the location by the service provider. In one embodiment, the registration module is configured to receive job details from service provider, and receive an input from a worker associated with the mobile system that they accept the job.

In one embodiment, the digital storage media includes a human resources module configured for receiving and displaying details of a job that has been accepted. In one embodiment, the digital storage media includes a connection module configured for connecting the mobile system to a wireless network at a childcare facility. In one embodiment, the shift logging module is configured for connecting the mobile system to a wireless network at a childcare facility using received job details. As used herein, "configured" includes creating, changing, or modifying a program on a computer or network of computers so that the computer or network of computers behave according to a set of instructions. The programming to accomplish the various embodiments described herein will be apparent to a person of ordinary skill in the art after reviewing the present specification, and for simplicity, is not detailed herein. The programming may be stored on a computer readable medium, such as, but not limited to, a non-transitory computer readable storage medium (for example, hard disk, RAM, ROM, CD-ROM, USB memory stick, or other physical device), and/or the Cloud.

It will be appreciated that reference herein to "preferred" or "preferably" is intended as exemplary only.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the invention, as claimed. In the present specification and claims, the word "comprising" and its derivatives including "comprises" and "comprise" include each of the stated integers, but does not exclude the inclusion of one or more further integers.

The claims as filed and attached with this specification are hereby

incorporated by reference into the text of the present description.

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate several embodiments of the invention and together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

Brief Description of the Figures

Figure 1 shows a schematic diagram showing the layout of a mobile computing device;

Figure 2 shows a schematic diagram showing the layout of a service provider system in connection with a mobile computing device and a client computing device; Figure 3 shows a partial swim lane flowchart showing a first embodiment of a method for rapidly fulfilling a childcare worker vacancy at a childcare facility;

Figure 4 shows a partial swim lane flowchart showing a second embodiment of a method for rapidly fulfilling a childcare worker vacancy at a childcare facility;

Figure 5 shows a partial swim lane flowchart for use with the flowcharts of figure 3 or figure 4, showing a third embodiment of a method for rapidly fulfilling a childcare worker vacancy at a childcare facility;

Figure 6 shows a partial swim lane flowchart for use with the flowcharts of figure 3 or figure 4, showing a fourth embodiment of a method for rapidly fulfilling a childcare worker vacancy at a childcare facility;

Figure 7 shows a partial swim lane flowchart for use with the flowcharts of figure 3 or figure 4, showing a fifth embodiment of a method for rapidly fulfilling a childcare worker vacancy at a childcare facility;

Figure 8 shows a partial swim lane flowchart for use with the flowcharts of figure 3 or figure 4, showing a sixth embodiment of a method for rapidly fulfilling a childcare worker vacancy at a childcare facility; and

Figure 9 shows a partial swim lane flowchart for use with the flowcharts of figure 6, figure 7 or figure 8, showing a seventh embodiment of a method for rapidly fulfilling a childcare worker vacancy at a childcare facility.

Detailed Description of the Drawings

Reference will now be made in detail to the present preferred embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. It should be noted in the following description that like or the same reference numerals in different embodiments denote the same or similar features.

Figure 1 shows a mobile computing device 300 on which the various embodiments described herein can be implemented. As will be apparent from the description below, the computing device 300 may be deployed in various embodiments for the purposes of carrying out the methods of the invention. In particular, the computing device 300 preferably takes the form of a mobile phone although persons skilled in the art will appreciate that this need not necessarily be the case, and that alternative general or dedicated electronic devices, or laptops are possible. It is envisaged that the mobile computing device 300 will associated with a replacement worker.

In particular the steps of the methodology described herein may be

implemented as computer program code instructions executable by the mobile computing device 300. The computer program code instructions may be divided into one or more computer program code instruction libraries, such as dynamic link libraries (DLL), wherein each of the libraries performs a one or more steps of the method. Additionally, a subset of the one or more of the libraries may perform graphical user interface tasks relating to the steps of the method.

The mobile computing device 300 includes semiconductor memory 1 10 having volatile memory such as random access memory (RAM) or read only memory (ROM). The memory 1 10 can include either RAM or ROM or a

combination of RAM and ROM.

The mobile computing device 300 includes a computer program code storage medium reader 130 for reading the computer program code instructions from computer program code storage media 120. The storage media 120 can be an SD card configured within a slot in the mobile computing device 300.

The mobile computing device 300 further includes an I/O interface 140 for communicating with one or more peripheral devices. The I/O interface 140 may offer both serial and parallel interface connectivity. For example, the I/O interface 140 may include a Small Computer System Interface (SCSI), Universal Serial Bus (USB) or similar I/O interface for interfacing with the storage medium reader 130. The I/O interface 140 may also communicate with one or more human input devices (HID) 160 such as touchscreens, microphones, keyboards, pointing devices, joysticks and the like for receiving input from a user. The I/O interface 140 may also include an audio interface for communicate audio signals to one or more audio devices 30, such as a speaker or a buzzer.

The mobile computing device 300 also includes a network interface 170 for communicating with one or more wireless computer networks 180, thereby acting as both a transmitter and a receiver. The network 180 is preferably a wireless network, such as a Bluetooth™ network or IEEE 802.1 1 network. The network 180 may be a wireless local area network (LAN), such as a home or office computer network, or a wireless wide area network (WAN), such as cellular networks operating on, for example, any of the 3G, 4G, LTE and GSM protocols. Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that a wide variety of alternative protocols may be possible.

The mobile computing device 300 includes an arithmetic logic unit or processor 10 for being directed by and performing the computer program code instructions. The mobile computing device 300 further includes storage device 40 acting as digital storage media, such as flash memory or a solid state disk drive, as appropriate.

Code instructions may be downloaded into the storage device 40 from the storage media 120 using the storage medium reader 130 or from the network 180 using network interface 170.

The instructions stored in the memory 1 10, when retrieved and executed by the processor 10, may configure the mobile computing device 300 as a special- purpose machine that may perform the functions described herein.

The mobile computing device 300 also includes a video interface 50 for conveying video signals to a display 20, such as a capacitive touchscreen or a resistive touchscreen, light emitting diode (LED) screens including active matrix organic LED (AMOLED) screens, liquid crystal display (LCD) screens, or similar display device. The mobile computing device 300 also includes a geolocation device 55 operable with the software as a geopositioning system that is configured to detect the location of the mobile computing device. The geolocation device 55 can include a satellite based geolocation device configured to operate on the Global Positioning System (GPS), BeiDou Navigation Satellite System, Global Orbiting Navigation Satellite System (GLONASS), Galileo global navigation Satellite system, or any other suitable satellite based navigation system.

Alternatively, the mobile computing device 300 could utilise a geopositioning system using software and the network interface 170 to detect the location of the mobile computing device 300 by, for example, triangulating signals received from wireless transmitters having no locations, such as Wi-Fi transmitters, cellular network antenna towers, or any other suitable transmitters. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that a wide variety of such geopositioning systems and methods can be used.

Figure 2 shows a service provider system 200 on which the various embodiments describe herein may be implemented. The service provider system 200 is able to be wirelessly connected to the mobile computing device 300 through a localised wireless network such as a Wi-Fi network through a Wi-Fi router 295, or via a larger area wireless network such as a cellular network including cellular network towers 290, as shown in figure 2.

In a preferred embodiment, the computer methodology described herein is also implemented by way of the internetworked service provider system 200 communicating with client computing devices 220 communicating across the Internet 230 utilising web markup languages. The client computing devices 220 have similar features to the mobile computing device 300, but are not required to be mobile. Client computing devices 220 could be desktop type client computing devices 220 such as desktop PCs, laptops or the like, or mobile computing devices similar to the mobile computing device 300 described above. However, it should be noted that such deployment is one embodiment only and the computer methodology described herein may be implemented by other computing systems, networks protocols and topologies.

As alluded to above, the service provider system 200 preferably includes a web server 210 for serving web pages to one or more client computing devices 220 over the Internet 230. It is envisaged that at least one or more of the client computing devices 220 will be located at a childcare facility, and the client computing devices 220 will be able to access the functionality of the service provider system 200 via webpages served by the web server 210.

The web server 210 is provided with a web server application 240 for receiving requests, such as Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) and File Transfer Protocol (FTP) requests, and serving hypertext web pages or files in response. The web server application 240 may be, for example the Apache™ or the

Microsoft™ IIS HTTP server, and is configured for receiving and transmitting information over a network including but not limited to the Internet 230.

The web server 210 is also provided with a hypertext preprocessor 250 for processing one or more web page templates 260 and data from one or more databases 270 to generate and transmit hypertext web pages that can be displayed on a browser at the client computing device 220 or mobile computing device 300, or on a mobile application on the mobile computing device 300.

In a preferred embodiment, the service provider system 200 includes a pair of databases, namely a worker database and a facility database. The worker database is configured for storing details of replacement workers, including their names, qualifications, contact details, bank details, qualifications, preferred work, referred work areas, previous ratings by employers, a unique identifier associated with their mobile computing device 300 or any other relevant information pertaining to or associated with the employee. The facility database is configured for storing details of childcare facilities, including their name, address details, contact details, Occupational Health & Safety information, special requirements for children in their care, wireless network name, wireless connection passwords, or the like.

The web server 210 is also provided with web page templates 260, such as one or more PHP or ASP files.

Upon receiving a request from the web server application 240, the hypertext preprocessor 250 is operable to retrieve a web page template, from the web page templates 260, execute any dynamic content therein, including updating or loading information from the one or more databases 270, to compose a hypertext web page.

Client computing devices 220 are provided with a browser application 280. The browser application 280 requests hypertext web pages from the web server 210 and renders the hypertext web pages on a display device.

There will now be described several embodiments where the service provider system 200, client computing device 220 and mobile computing device 300 are adapted to work together to facilitate the rapid fulfilment of a childcare worker vacancy at a childcare facility.

Various embodiments of how the service provider system 200 and mobile computing device 300 interact are shown with reference to figures 3 - 9, and which the figure number prefixes the steps being referred to. Similar steps are shown as similar numbers, but with different figure number prefixes.

As shown in figure 3, it is envisaged that initially a representative of a childcare facility will register 310 the childcare facility with the service provider system 200, providing and inputting facility details, which will be transmitted 315 to the service provider 200. As mentioned above, examples of facility details include facility name, facility contact details, facility address, the name of the wireless connection at the facility, the password for the wireless network at the facility. Further examples can include human resources related information such as Occupational Health & Safety information, special requirements for children in their care, dispute procedures, or the like.

Further details that can be input 350 from time to time by the childcare facility and transmitted to the service provider 360 are job details that relate to jobs for which vacancies have arisen and replacement workers are required. Such job details include the ages of the children for which childcare is required, the qualifications sought in the worker, whether previous experience at that childcare facility is a requirement, the number of replacement workers required, the date and times during which a worker is required, and payment rates being offered for the work. These facility details and job details will be received 330 by the service provider 200 and stored 340 in the facility database. It is envisaged that in an alternative embodiment, the job details could be stored in a separate job database in association with a facility identifier.

Similarly, workers that are interested in filling available vacancies at childcare facilities are able to register 320 with the service provider system, inputting worker details and transmitting 325 these to the service provider system 200. As mentioned above, examples of worker details include their names, qualifications, contact details, bank details, qualifications, preferred work, referred work areas, preferred pay rate, previous ratings by employers, a unique identifier associated with their mobile computing device 300 or any other relevant information pertaining to or associated with the worker. It is envisaged that such workers will typically download a mobile application, search as may be found in the Apple™ App Store or Google™ Play. Such a mobile application will be able to provide notifications on the user's mobile computing device 300, and receive input from a user that can be stored on the mobile computing device 300 or transmitted wirelessly.

The service provider system 200 includes a tracking module that is configured to determine the location of a worker's mobile communication device or mobile computing device 300 that has a unique identifier matching the unique identifier of the mobile computing device 300 associated with a replacement worker profile in the worker database. The tracking module will determine the location of the mobile computing device 300 of a predetermined number of the highest ranked workers in the worker database.

It is envisaged that in one embodiment as shown in figure 3, the service provider system 200 will initially transmit 380 a request for the location of the mobile computing device 300 of every replacement worker that is known to reside in the broader area. In this regard, the worker database will be interrogated 382 for this information. The mobile computing devices 300 will receive the request for their location and transmit a location signal to the service provider system 384. Once the location signals are received from the mobile computing devices, these workers are checked 386 for suitability in terms of meeting the job requirements.

Once the job details have been received 345 by the service provider system, service provider system 200 will compare 370 the worker profiles to the job details to determine which of the worker profiles is a best match to the job details. In a preferred embodiment, the worker profiles will be ranked 390 in order of best fit to the job details. For example, workers having higher amounts of work experience, or better qualifications, would be ranked higher.

It is envisaged that in order to determine the location of the mobile computing devices, the tracking module will send a location request to the mobile computing devices 300. On receiving the location request, the mobile computing device can transmit a wide variety of signals in response, depending on how the location of the mobile computing device is to be determined. It is envisaged that the tracking module can use location-based services such as triangulation between Wi-Fi transmitters having known locations, triangulation between cellular antenna towers having known locations, or any other suitable location based services. It is envisaged that the location of the mobile computing device 300 can be

determined by the mobile computing device itself before transmitting details of the location to the service provider system, or sufficient information can be

transmitted to the service provider system 200, after which the location of the mobile computing device 300 can be determined. Alternatively, if the mobile computing device 300 has a satellite-based geo- positioning system built in, then the location of the mobile computing device 300 can initially be determined by the mobile computing device 300 itself, and a location signal sent to the tracking module of the service provider system 200.

In another embodiment, the service provider system 200 can preferably transmit a list of suitable worker candidates to a client computing device 220 at the childcare facility for manual selection of one or more preferred worker candidates, or alternatively for manual ranking of preferred candidates. The list of suitable worker candidates and their locations can be displayed as a geographical representation on a map.

A replacement request including the new job details is then transmitted 392 to the mobile computing device 300 of the suitable worker candidates, or the preferred worker candidates.

The potential replacement worker will be notified of this replacement request on their mobile computing device 300. The users then have the option of accepting the replacement request by inputting 394 such an indication on their mobile computing device 300 and causing the transmission 396 of this

acceptance to the service provider system 200. Once acceptance of the replacement request has been received 398 by the service provider system 200, the replacement request is withdrawn, and not able to be accepted by the other users. On receiving notification of acceptance of the new job, the service provider system will transmit 399 this notification of acceptance of the new job and the employee details to the childcare facility.

In another embodiment, as shown in figure 4, it is envisaged that the suitability of candidates for the job details can be determined initially by carrying out the comparison 470 before sending 480 out a request for the location of the mobile computing devices 300 of those candidates deemed suitable.

In one embodiment, it is envisaged that a replacement request may be sent to a predetermined number of the highest ranked replacement workers all at once. The replacement worker that accepts the position first will then be awarded the position. Receiving an acceptance of the position from the replacement worker will cause the withdrawal of the offer to the other replacement workers.

In another embodiment, a replacement request may be sent to only one replacement worker (preferably the highest ranked one). If no acceptance of the replacement request is received within a predetermined time period, it is envisaged that offer will be withdrawn and a replacement request will then be sent to the mobile computing device 300 of the worker profile of the next highest ranked worker.

When the mobile computing device 300 of the replacement worker that has accepted the replacement request arrives at the childcare facility, the time logging and worker management of the replacement worker will be facilitated and will be described in more detail below.

Once acceptance of the offered new job been established, the service provider system 200, client computing device 220 and mobile computing device 300 will interact to facilitate the employment of the replacement worker at the childcare facility as will be described below.

As shown in figure 5, starting from reference numeral A (linked to reference numeral A on figures 3 and 4), the replacement worker will arrive at the childcare facility as per the job details. On arrival at the childcare facility, the replacement worker will cause their mobile computing device 300 to establish 510 a wireless connection with the wireless network operable at the childcare facility by connecting to the wireless router 295. It is envisaged that details of the wireless network at the childcare facility will be part of the job details that are sent to the mobile computing device 300 and acceptance of the position. On connection to the wireless network, the mobile computing device 300 will authorise 515 the transmission of a shift start signal to the service provider system 200 as proof that the worker has presented themselves for work. The shift start signal will then be transmitted 520 to the service provider system 200. Once the service provider system 200 receives 525 the shift start signal, it will transmit 530 a notification to the client computing device 220 at the childcare facility informing them that a shift start signal has been received as proof of the worker presence at the childcare facility.

Once this notification has been received 535 at the childcare facility, a supervisor or manager at the childcare facility can input a confirmation of the worker's presence. This confirmation is then transmitted 545 to the service provider system 200.

On receiving 550 the confirmation from the client computing device 220 at the childcare facility, the service provider system will store 555 the time that the employee's presence was confirmed at the childcare facility. This can be stored on either the facility database 600, the worker database 500, or a separate job database 700, in association with an identifier for the worker and the facility.

Once the presence of the employee has been confirmed at the childcare facility, the service provider system can then make location and job relevant details available 560 to the employee. These location and job relevant details can be transmitted to the employee, or made available on demand. This is discussed in more detail below.

In the embodiment shown in figure 6, instead of the shift start signal being transmitted to the service provider system 200, the shift start signal is instead transmitted 610 to the client computing device 220 at the childcare facility. On receipt 615 of the shift start signal, the client computing device will request and receive 620 and input from a supervisor or manager at the childcare facility confirming the presence of the worker. The confirmation of the employee's presence is then transmitted to the service provider system 625.

In the embodiment shown in figure 7, the mobile computing device 300 does not make use of the establishment of a wireless connection with the wireless network at the childcare facility to establish the presence of the worker at the childcare facility. Instead, the mobile computing device 300 of the replacement worker is configured to detect 710, via its geo-positioning system or geolocation device 55, when the mobile computing device 300 is located within a

predetermined zone corresponding to the childcare facility. When the location of the mobile computing device 300 is detected as being within such a

predetermined zone, the mobile computing device 300 will transmit 715 a shift start signal to the service provider system 200. It is envisaged that the shift start signal could include the actual location details of the mobile computing device 300, or alternatively sufficient information for the service provider system 200 to determine the location of the mobile computing device 300. The service provider system 200 can then check whether the mobile computing device 300 is within the predetermined zone corresponding to the location of the childcare facility.

In another embodiment (not shown), on receipt of the shift start signal, the service provider system 200 can be configured to request a location signal from the mobile computing device 300.

On receipt 725 of the shift start signal, the service provider system 200 transmits 730 a notification of the receipt of the shift start signal to the client computing device 220 at the childcare facility, with a request for manual input confirming attendance by the replacement worker. This is sent as a shift start confirmation signal to the service provider system 200. A manager or supervisor at the childcare facility then inputs 740 confirmation that the worker is present and in attendance at the childcare facility. A shift start confirmation signal is then transmitted 745 back to the service provider system 200, confirming that the worker has arrived for the job.

In this way, either a shift start signal can be sent to the service provider 200 indicating that the replacement worker is on site at the childcare facility, or a shift start confirmation signal can be sent to the service provider 200 that allows for manual confirmation, for example by manual input 730 by a manager or supervisor, that the replacement worker is in attendance. On receipt 750 of either the shift start signal or the shift start confirmation signal, the service provider system 200 is configured to store 755 a start time for the replacement worker.

Once the presence of the replacement worker at the childcare facility is detected through their mobile computing device 300 and/or confirmed by receiving 250 a shift start confirmation signal, the service provider system 200 will authorise the release of facility information to the mobile computing device 300 of that replacement worker, and make the information available 760 to the mobile computing device 300. The release of facility information could also be dependent on the logging of a start time, or merely on detection that the mobile computing device 300 is within the predetermined zone corresponding to the childcare facility. On receiving request for facility information, the information will be transmitted to the mobile computing device 300 by the service provider system.

In one embodiment as shown in figure 8, on detecting the presence of a wireless network corresponding to the wireless network name of the childcare facility that is in the job details, the mobile computing device 300 will retrieve 801 a password for the wireless network from the job details to preferably

automatically connect 810 to the wireless network at the childcare facility. On forming a wireless connection with the wireless network, the client computing device 220 at the childcare facility will instruct 812 the mobile computing device 300 of the replacement worker to transmit a shift start signal to the service provider.

In an alternative embodiment, the client computing device 220 can transmit a shift start signal to the service provider itself.

Once the shift start signal is received 825 by the service provider system, the service provider system will determine 827 whether the mobile computing device 300 is located within the predetermined attendance zone of the childcare facility. The service provider system will then transmit at hundred and 30 a notification of the employee's presence at the childcare facility for confirmation similar to the previously explained embodiments.

Examples of location relevant details or facility information that can be authorised 860 for release and/or transmitted 861 to the replacement worker would be human resources information, including but not limited to Occupational Health & Safety information, key performance indicators for the replacement worker; the pay rate for that job; education requirements; forums; industry news; notifications by the childcare facility or service provider; and links to dispute resolution forums or processes.

Other location relevant or job specific details that can be transmitted 861 to the replacement worker include special needs requirements for children under the care of the replacement worker, contact details for children's parents or guardians, medicine dosage details where children are being treated for a medical condition, or any special instructions by parents.

In one embodiment (not shown), it is envisaged that the mobile computing device 300 of the replacement worker will detect its location as being outside of the predetermined zone corresponding to the childcare facility. In such an embodiment, the mobile computing device 300 will send a shift end signal to the service provider system 200. The mobile computing device 300 may request input from the replacement worker to confirm that their shift is ending before

transmitting the shift end signal to the service provider system 200.

Turning now to the flowchart shown in figure 9, once the replacement worker has ended their shift, the following events will occur. Starting from reference numeral B (linked to reference numeral B in figure 8), when the replacement worker believes the attendance zone of the childcare facility, the mobile

computing device 300 will move out of range of the wireless network of the childcare facility. The wireless network connection will become disconnected 903. The mobile computing device 300 will then request 904 an input from the replacement worker as to whether they are leaving the childcare facility. If the input confirms that the replacement worker is leaving the childcare facility, then a shift end notification signal is transmitted 907 to the service provider.

On receipt 909 of the shift end notification signal, the service provider system 200 will store 91 1 the time that the shift end notification signal was received as the shift end time. A notification of the shift end time is then transmitted 913 to the client computing device 220 at the childcare facility. On receipt 917 of this notification, the client computing device will request and receive 921 an input from a supervisor or manager at the childcare facility confirming that the workers shift has ended. A shift end confirmation signal is then transmitted 923 to the service provider system.

The shift end time and the receipt of shift end confirmation signal is then stored 927 on any or all of the facility database 600, the worker database 500, or the job database 700. The shift end details are then also made available 929 to the employee. It is further envisaged that amounts earned by the worker for their shift may be determined from the associated job detail pay rates and made available to the worker.

It is envisaged that the service provider system 200 will also receive a shift end signal being indicative of the time the replacement worker has ended their shift at the childcare facility. This shift end signal could be received by the service provider system through a wide variety of procedures.

In an alternative embodiment, the mobile computing device 300 can transmit a shift end signal directly to the client computing device 220 at the childcare facility, requesting confirmation of the end of the replacement workers shift. Such a shift end confirmation signal will then in turn be transmitted to the service provider system.

The service provider system 200 can use either the time of receipt of the shift end signal, the time that the mobile computing device 300 was detected as being outside of the childcare facility area, or the time of receipt of the shift end confirmation signal as the end time for the workers shift. This end time will then be logged and stored in association with the facility on the facility database 600, as well as in association with the worker profile on the worker database 500, or alternatively on the job database 700.

For the purposes of the specification, the term "mobile" when used in the context of a device or terminal shall be construed as meaning that the device or terminal is conveniently movable from place to place, and which are typically associated with an individual, and shall include but not be limited to devices such as mobile phones, laptops and computing devices installed in vehicles, whether removable or not.

The service provider system 200 may be configured as a stand-alone app and function independently of any central server. For example, the service provider system may operate in a peer-to-peer relationship with other mobile devices, or a combination of a peer-to-peer relationship with other mobile devices with occasional contact with a central server (e.g., once a day, once a week, once a month, etc.).

The mobile computing device 300 preferably utilizes a graphic user interface on a mobile device, such as a mobile application ("app"), web forms, or a web page. It will be appreciated that the mobile computing device, service provider system and method described above may be modified to utilize chatbot or chatterbot technology, and voice-automated commands to facilitate a hands-free mode of interaction, for example, while a worker or user is in a vehicle.

Chatterbot technology could be used, for example, to represent to workers that a position is available at a childcare facility, and question the workers on their availability. In this sense, the chatbot acts as a representative of the childcare facility and/or the service provider system.

It will further be appreciated that the platform, system and method may be adapted for use in on-board vehicle computer systems, which may optionally interact with the vehicle's navigation system and on-board GPS and

communication systems. Vehicle license and/or registration details may be dynamically provided to a client terminal at the childcare facility on the approach of the vehicle in the vicinity of the childcare facility, or within a predetermined radius of the childcare facility, so that a shift start signal can be sent to the client terminal at the childcare facility ahead of time, in preparation for the manager or supervisor to confirm the arrival of the worker at the childcare facility to start work. Such vehicle license and/or registration details may be input by the worker, and stored on the worker database in association with that worker.

The computer web platform and system may be configured to incorporate Artificial Intelligence (Al). The particular coding to implement Al in the childcare field would be understood by a person of ordinary skill in the art, and for simplicity, is not detailed herein. Al may be configured to prompt the service provider system based on one or more of geo-location data, interaction with other databases (e.g., calendar database), real-time user physical actions and/or conditions (e.g., body temperature, perspiration, orientation of mobile device as it is being held by the user, etc.), and cumulative behaviour pattern recognition.

For example only, a system processor (or even local processor such as included in a smartphone or on-board vehicle computer) may be configured with Al, and/or be configured to instruct an artificial intelligence system over a network, so that a replacement workers calendar is queried and replacement worker is excluded from being selected to have job detail sent to them, or excluded from being ranked if the replacement worker is scheduled to be out of the area for a given day or time. Similarly, crosschecking the availability of the replacement worker against purchased airline tickets, border crossing data or the like.

In another example, if a replacement worker has a scheduled appointment, and the replacement worker has accepted a job, then the system may prompt the replacement worker as to whether they want to cancel their appointment by sending cancellation emails.

The Al-configured processor is preferably configured with dynamic pattern recognition and programmed to permit the processor to predict the availability of a replacement worker to fill in an available position (e.g., by consulting a worker's personal electronic calendar), outside events (e.g., border crossing, airline ticket purchase, doctor's appointment, movie ticket purchase, or sign-up for a seminar or workshop), and/or physical indications (e.g., body conditions or actions to signify a desired action to be taken by the system).

The Al-configured processor is preferably configured to detect and react to the physical, physiological and behavioural actions of the user, similar to the operation of wearable technologies such as Apple's iWatch™. For example, the Al-configured processor may detect bio-data such as a faster heart rate and perspiration when used in combination with one or more sensors (located in a wearable device such as a smartwatch, or in a smartphone when adjacent the user's body). The Al-configured processor may utilize the bio-data; detected actions such as a phone number dialled and/or number of calls; and/or scheduled events such as appearing on a calendar meeting request, and optionally together with a geo-location of the user, predict or suggest the availability of the

replacement worker to for a position. For example, detection of the worker being at home with no appointment scheduled may indicate that the worker is available to take up an unfilled position urgently.

The features described with respect to one embodiment may be applied to other embodiments, or combined with, or interchanged with, the features of other embodiments without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Other embodiments of the disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the disclosure disclosed herein. It is intended that the specification and examples be considered as exemplary only, with a true scope and spirit of the disclosure being indicated by the following claims.

While the invention is described herein with reference to staff management of childcare workers at a childcare facility, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that systems and methods described herein can equally be applied for use in other applications, especially where shift or casual workers are involved, for example for rapid placement of nurses at hospitals, placement of school teachers at schools, placement of hospitality staff (such as waiters, stewards, et cetera) at catering events or restaurants, placement of chefs or associated food preparation workers at kitchens, placement of construction workers at construction sites, or any other application that requires a rapid fulfilment of vacant positions by workers. It will be appreciated that any reference to the term "childcare worker" could apply equally to other workers such as nurses, construction workers, teachers, hospitality staff, chefs, or the like. Further, any reference to the term "childcare facility" could apply equally to other facilities such as construction sites, kitchens, catering events, restaurants, bars, hospitals, schools or the like.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1 . A staff management system suitable for rapid fulfilment of a childcare worker vacancy at a childcare facility, comprising:

a worker database of replacement worker profiles, each profile including replacement worker contact details, the replacement worker contact details including a mobile communication device identification;

a computer-based tracking module configured to determine the location of a mobile communications device having a mobile communication device identification matching the mobile communication device identification in at least one of the

replacement worker profiles;

a communications interface configured to send an electronic communication to one or more of the mobile communication devices; and

a computer processor configured to activate said tracking module to determine a list, within a predetermined geographical area of the childcare facility, of mobile communication devices with a mobile communication device identification matching at least one of the mobile communication device identifications of the

replacement worker profiles, said processor being configured to send, through said communications interface, a replacement request to at least one of the mobile communications devices identified as being within the predetermined geographical region in the list.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein said tracking module is configured to utilize location based services to determine the location of the mobile communications device.

3. The system of claim 1 , wherein said tracking module is configured to utilize a satellite based geo-positioning system to determine the location of the mobile communications device.

4. The system of claim 1 , wherein the predetermined geographic area is a predetermined radius from the childcare facility.

5. The system of claim 1 , wherein the list is configured to be displayed as a geographical representation on a map.

6. The system of claim 1 , wherein said processor is configured to send the replacement request based on prior work experience of the replacement worker at the childcare facility.

7. The system of claim 1 , wherein said processor is configured to rank available replacement worker profiles and send the replacement request to the mobile communications device associated with the highest-ranked replacement worker profile.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein said processor is configured to send the replacement request to the mobile communications device associated with the second highest ranked replacement worker profile after a predetermined time period in which no response is received from the mobile communications device associated with the highest ranked replacement worker profile.

9. The system of claim 1 , wherein said processor is configured to receive a shift start notification signal indicative of the presence of a mobile communication device identification matching at least one of the replacement worker profiles at a childcare facility.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein said start notification includes an indication of the location of the mobile communication device.

1 1 . The system of claim 9, wherein said processor is configured to determine whether the mobile communication device is within a predetermined zone corresponding to the location of a childcare facility.

12. The system of claim 1 1 , wherein said processor is configured to receive a shift start confirmation signal from a childcare facility that the mobile

communication device is located at, confirming the presence of the replacement worker.

13. The system of claim 1 1 , wherein said processor is configured to log a start time for the replacement worker associated with the mobile communication device if the mobile communication device is determined to be within the predetermined zone corresponding to the location of a childcare facility.

14. The system of claim 12, wherein said processor is configured to log a start time for the replacement worker associated with the mobile communication device on receipt of a shift start confirmation signal from the childcare facility.

15. The system of claim 1 , wherein the system further comprises a facility database of childcare facilities containing facility data.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the facility database contains facility information specific to the childcare facility, and said processor is configured to authorize the transmission of facility information to the mobile communication device of the replacement worker when one or more of the following conditions are met:

a start time is logged;

a shift start signal is received;

a shift start confirmation signal is received; and

the mobile communication device determined to be within a predetermined zone corresponding to the location of a childcare facility.

17. The system of claim 9, wherein said processor is configured to receive a shift end notification signal from the childcare facility indicative of the time that a replacement worker has ended their shift.

18. The system of claim 9, wherein said processor is configured to receive a shift end notification signal from the mobile communication device indicative of the time that a replacement worker has ended their shift.

19. The system of claim 15, in which the shift end notification signal is received automatically when the mobile communication device disconnects a wireless connection with the childcare facility.

20. The system of claim 9, wherein said processor is configured to receive a shift end confirmation signal from the childcare facility.

21 . The system of claim 16, wherein processor is configured to prevent transmission of facility information to the mobile communication device of the replacement worker when one or more of the following conditions are met: a shift end notification signal is received by the system; and a shift end confirmation signal is received is received by the system.

22. A system for facilitating automatic worker login at a childcare facility, comprising:

a worker database of childcare facility worker profiles, each profile including worker contact details, the worker contact details including a mobile communication device identification;

a computer-based tracking module configured to establish the location of a mobile communications device having a mobile communication device identification matching the mobile communication device identification in at least one of the worker profiles;

a communications interface configured to communicate with one or more of the mobile communication devices; and a computer processor configured to establish, within a predetermined geographical area of the childcare facility, the presence of a mobile communications device associated with one of the worker profiles, said processor being configured to establish a communications link with at least one of the mobile communications devices identified as being within the predetermined geographical region.

23. The system of claim 22, wherein the communications link is established through a network Wi-Fi connection.

24. The system of claim 22, wherein the communications link is established through a peer-to-peer connection.

25. The system of claim 22, wherein the communications link is established through a Bluetooth connection.

26. The system of claim 22, wherein said processor is configured to log a worker associated with the mobile communications device discovered within the predetermined geographical region into a work time keeping system to track hour worked at the childcare facility.

27. The system of claim 26 wherein the processor is configured to receive an input confirming the time that a worker is logged.

28. The system of claim 22, wherein said processor is configured to facilitate the transmission of working information to the mobile communications device associated with the worker when the.

29. The system of claim 28, wherein the working information comprises child related information.

30. The system of claim 28, wherein the working information comprises safety information.

31 . A method for rapidly fulfilling a childcare worker vacancy at a childcare facility, comprising:

storing a profile of a replacement worker candidate on a worker database, the profile including an identification of the replacement worker candidate's mobile communications device; sending an applications program to the mobile

communication device of the replacement worker candidate, the applications program being configured to use the on-board communications circuitry of the mobile communications device to send a signal indicating the location of the mobile communications device;

broadcasting a signal within a predetermined geographical area to instruct the applications program to provide the location of the mobile communications device; and

sending an electronic communication to at least one mobile communications device identified as being within the predetermined geographical area, the communication sent including a request to fill a worker vacancy at the childcare facility.

32. The method of claim 31 , wherein the electronic communication is sent based on a ranking of the replacement worker profile.

33. The method of claim 32, further comprising measuring a predetermined time period and sending a second electronic communication to another mobile communications device after receiving no response from the mobile

communication device to which the electronic communication was originally sent.

34. A mobile system for facilitating automatic worker login at a childcare facility, the system comprising:

a processor;

a wireless network interface coupled to the processor; digital storage media operatively connected to the processor, the digital storage media including:

a shift logging module configured for directing the processor to establish a location of the mobile system within a predetermined zone at a childcare facility, and to transmit a shift start signal when the location of the mobile system has been established as being within said predetermined zone.

35. The system as claimed in claim 35, wherein the shift start signal is transmitted to a remote terminal at a childcare facility.

36. The system as claimed in claim 35, wherein the shift start signal is transmitted to a service provider system.

37. The system as claimed in claim 34, wherein the shift logging module is configured for establishing a wireless connection with a terminal at a childcare facility.

38. The system as claimed in claim 35, wherein the shift logging module is configured to transmit the shift start signal on establishment of the wireless connection with a wireless network at a childcare facility.

39. The system as claimed in claim 35, wherein the shift logging module is configured to receive an instruction from the terminal at a childcare facility to transmit the shift start signal on establishment of the wireless connection.

40. The system as claimed in claim 34, wherein the mobile system comprises a geo-positioning device, and the shift logging module is configured to determine the location of the mobile system.

41 . The system as claimed in claim 39, wherein the shift logging module is configured to transmit the determined location of the mobile system to a terminal at the childcare facility.

42. The system as claimed in claim 39, wherein the shift logging module is configured to transmit the determined location of the mobile system to a service provider.

43. The system as claimed in claim 39, wherein the shift logging module is configured to transmit the determined location of the mobile system with the shift start signal.

44. The system as claimed in claim 39, wherein the shift logging module is configured to transmit a request for confirmation of the

45. The system as claimed in claim 34, wherein the digital storage media comprises a registration module configured for directing the processor to receive worker details and transmit the worker details to a service provider for registration of the worker with the service provider.

46. The system as claimed in claim 45, wherein the registration module is configured to transmit a location signal to a service provider on receiving a request for the location by the service provider.

47. The system as claimed in claim 45, wherein the registration module is configured to receive job details from service provider, and receive an input from a worker associated with the mobile system that they accept the job.

48. The system as claimed in claim 47, wherein the digital storage media comprises a human resources module configured for receiving and displaying details of a job that has been accepted.

49. The system as claimed in claim 34, wherein the digital storage media comprises a connection module configured for connecting the mobile system to a wireless network at a childcare facility.

50. The system as claims in claim 49, wherein the shift logging module is configured for connecting the mobile system to a wireless network at a childcare facility using received job details.