How Rise & Shine Kindergarten Streamlined Operations and Improved Family Engagement with OWNA
- OWNA
- Jul 15
- 3 min read
For over 11 years, Rise & Shine Kindergarten, proudly family-owned and operated by Rise & Shine Education, has been nurturing young minds across New South Wales. Their journey began in Carlton, and they've remained committed to excellence in early childhood education ever since.
But as they grew, so did the complexity of managing multiple systems, processes, and communications. That's when they turned to OWNA.
The Challenge: Juggling Disconnected Systems
“These challenges hindered our ability to streamline processes and systems effectively, leading to a breakdown in communication that impacted daily operations, families, and employees alike.” - Ed Zaki, CEO & Founder
Before implementing OWNA, Rise & Shine faced a common but significant issue: fragmented software. Their team was relying on multiple stand-alone systems that didn't integrate smoothly.
This created daily headaches across the board — from administrative inefficiencies to communication breakdowns between educators, admin staff, and families.
They initially used Qikkids but soon realised they needed a more cohesive, all-in-one solution.
The Solution: A Shared Vision and an All-in-One Platform
"We chose OWNA because its family-owned values align seamlessly with those of Rise & Shine. Additionally, we were particularly impressed by the customised app feature and the efficiency of its all-in-one platform system."- Ed Zaki, CEO & Founder
The decision to switch to OWNA was driven by more than just features. The family-owned values behind OWNA resonated deeply with Rise & Shine's own ethos.
The implementation process was smooth and well-supported, with detailed guides, video tutorials, and responsive live support.
Key Features That Made a Difference
Several OWNA features quickly proved to be game changers:
Customised App: Enhanced real-time communication with families through posts, push notifications, and updates.
Automated Billing & Accounts: Saved valuable admin time every fortnight by automating invoicing and payment processes.
Rostering & Attendance Tracking: Increased efficiency in day-to-day centre management.
SMS Functionality: Made urgent and timely communication easier than ever.
All-In-One Access: Staff and families could access everything from daily routines to statements in a single platform.
“We really like the ability to post to families with push notifications. Families have given us positive feedback, appreciating how quickly we can share urgent information.” - Ed Zaki, CEO & Founder
The Impact: Time Saved, Happier Families, and Smoother Operations
Since implementing OWNA, Rise & Shine Kindergarten has seen:
✅ One full day of admin time saved every fortnight
✅ Improved staff satisfaction due to reduced manual admin
✅ Better family engagement through real-time app communication
✅ Faster, more accurate payments and reporting
“The automation of administrative tasks has freed up time, allowing staff to focus more on engaging with children and parents. This has improved job satisfaction and efficiency.” - Ed Zaki, CEO & Founder
One memorable example involved a parent praising how simple it was to receive invoice notifications on their phone and make a payment instantly through the app. No calls, no logging into another system. Just one click.
What They’d Tell Other Providers
“OWNA is your ultimate all-in-one solution for childcare management. It streamlines everything from curriculum planning and attendance tracking to billing and parent communication, making it easier to run your childcare centre efficiently and effectively.” - Ed Zaki, CEO & Founder
For other providers facing similar struggles, Rise & Shine's advice is simple: Switch to OWNA. It's not just software - it's a smarter way to run a childcare service.
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