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ParentPay FAQs

 

• When can I log in to my account?

Once you have received your activation letter from school with your activation login details you’ll be able to activate your account and start making payments. This letter will be sent to you soon by your school.

 

• Which cards can I use?

ParentPay accepts MasterCard and Visa credit cards, and Maestro, Switch, Delta, Electron, Solo and Visa debit cards.  Some schools may limit the use of credit cards for some transactions; you will be informed by the school directly of any such restrictions.

 

• Is it safe to make payments on the internet?

Yes.  ParentPay uses leading technology to process your card transactions securely.  All communication with the bank is encrypted and neither ParentPay nor the school have access to your card details.

 

• How can I check that it’s secure?

Standard website addresses begin with http; the address for a secure site will always begin with https.  You will also see a padlock at the bottom/top right of the screen on our login page and after you have logged into your account; never enter your card details or personal data on any web page whose address does not start https.

 

• What about our personal information?

ParentPay holds a very limited amount of information about you and your child solely for the purpose of administering your account; however ParentPay does not use your personal information other than for supporting the school. We do not share or give information to any other organisations.  We operate under strict guidelines set out by the Data Protection Act 1998.

 

ParentPay will NEVER contact you by phone, email or mail and ask you to divulge confidential information like passwords or card numbers. If you are ever contacted by someone claiming to be from ParentPay, please contact us immediately on 0845 257 5540.

 

• I don’t have a home PC so how can I use ParentPay?

Why not visit your local library, internet café or see if you can get access to a computer at work alternatively ask if you can use your school’s computers.  Many schools have computers available for parents and will be happy to show you how to use them.

 

For more information please visit https://www.parentpay.com/Parents/Login/

 

 

 

 

 

 

Biometric Cashless Catering System FAQ’s

 

Q       What is a Cashless System?

A       A Cashless Catering System is a solution, which is purpose designed to meet the ever evolving needs and demands of the Catering Provision that is required by today’s Schools and Academies.  The Trust-e Cashless Solution allows schools to be better able to provide their students with a faster, more efficient and more appealing meal service.

 

Q       What is Biometric?

A       Biometric is simply a method of identifying an individual person.  We will be using an algorithm based scan, which reads between 50 & 130 points on the finger/thumb.  It is not a fingerprint in any way, shape or form and is of use only in the cashless system.

 

Q       How does a Biometric System work?

A       The information of a student or staff member, who has been biometrically registered, is stored on a secure Biometric Controller within the school, which only our provider, Nationwide Retail Systems Ltd, can access.  Once an account is credited the student or staff member places their finger/thumb on the terminal at the till, which looks up their account details and allows them to purchase items using only this method of identification.

 

Q       How does my child register on the Biometric System?

A       Registration days will take place leading up to the ‘Live’ day of the Cashless System.  At this time registration terminals will be placed in the school.  Your child will attend at a requested time and they will be required to place their finger/thumb on a Biometric sensor twice to obtain a matching template, which only takes a few seconds.  If you have chosen to ‘Opt Out’ of this procedure, your child will be presented with a 4 digit PIN Code.

 

Q       What methods of payment can be used to credit an account?

A       Any amount can be credited to an account by way of any of the following methods.  Once an account has been credited the monies cannot be withdrawn and must be spent on the school meal/break services.

 

ParentPay – parents will be issued with a PayPoint card, which can be used to top up student accounts at local PayPoint stores.  Payments via PayPoint will take up to 48 hours to be credited to the appropriate account.  You can find your local stores by visiting http://www.paypoint.co.uk/locator.aspx

 

Q       How can I check the credit on an account?

A       Students will see the balance of their account when using the revaluation unit.  Parent/carers can see this by accessing their ParentPay account.

 

Q       Can I change the daily ‘Spend Limit’?

A       Yes – the daily ‘spend limit’ is pre-programmes at £4.50 but this may be changed by written request to the finance department at Stafford Sports College.

 

Q       What happens if my child’s account is not in credit?

A       A ‘Lend’ can be processed at the till, which will then allow a meal to be taken. The student can go into debit at the cost of 1 meal, £2.20.  The Cashless Catering System has a debt tracking facility and the ability to send debt letters to overdue account holders.

 

Q       How do ‘free meal’ entitlements work?

A       All free meal entitlements will be entered on to the system prior to the ‘Live’ day.  The Cashless Catering System will, on a daily basis, automatically allocate the appropriate accounts with the free meal amounts.  Students with Free Meal Entitlements remain anonymous at all times, as all account types are accessed in the exact same manner.  NB.  Any monies not spent from the daily free meal allocation will not be carried over to the next day.

 

Q       Can anyone else use my child’s account?

A       No – Due to the extensive security on Biometric templates no-one will be able to access your child’s account.  As a secondary precaution a photo image is allocated to each student.  If your child is using a 4 digit PIN Code, which someone obtains and attempts to use, the photograph shown on the till will alert the operator of a fraudulent sale taking place.

 

Q       My child has an allergy, how will this be monitored

A       All allergy records registered with the school will be entered on to the Cashless System.  When students attempt to purchase an item, which has ingredients that they are allergic to, the system will alert the operator and prevent them from selling the chosen item.

 

Q       Can I dictate my child’s dietary requirements?

A       The system will allow you to register any items that your child is not allowed due to dietary needs or religious beliefs.  Any such items must be confirmed in writing by the parent/carer to the school.

 

Q       Can I request a printed report of my child’s meal intake?

A       The Cashless Catering System allows numerous reporting facilities, which includes dietary habits.  Details of how money is being spent by your child can also be seen via your ParentPay account.