To pay a program through Playground, a guardian must be added to a student's account as a primary guardian. If the program allows it, primary guardians can add other guardians to the account. Admins can also add additional guardians to the students account.
Any payers will need to add a payment method to their account before making a payment and will only be able to view, modify, or use the payment method added to their accounts. Payers can never see another payer's card or bank account details; this is private and restricted to the respective payer by default.
The family payment portal can be accessed via the Playground mobile app or web dashboard. Payment methods can be added on the Playground mobile app or web dashboard.
Link a bank account
If your program accepts payments through Playground, it will allow for bank transfers (checking account only). This payment method is referred to as ACH, which stands for Automated Clearing House. If applicable, processing fees for ACH transactions are $1 per transaction & typically less than those for credit cards.
There are two ways to add and save a bank account payment method in Playground.
Link the account through a secure 3rd party partner directly in the Playground mobile app or web dashboard. All you need to do is follow the prompts below to link your account.
If the banking institution is not listed in the above option, please follow the steps below to manually add and verify the bank account.
Link bank account with login
This is the simplest & easiest way to add a bank account. This is available for most nationwide banking institutions in the United States and utilizes a secure 3rd party partner called Stripe to instantly connect and verify the information provided.
Mobile
From the Home screen tap the ☰ Menu icon in the top left corner.
Tap Payments to reach the Payments Portal screen.
Tap Payment methods.
To add a new method, tap the blue + sign.
Tap bank.
To instantly connect and verify your bank account, click "Agree".
Select your bank and login to your online bank account.
If your bank isn't listed, link your bank manually by following these instructions
Web
Log in to Playground.
Click on the Billing tab on the left hand side.
Click Add payment method.
Select Bank Account
Click Agree and continue to instantly connect and verify your bank account through a secure 3rd party partner called Stripe.
Select your bank and login to your online bank account.
If your bank isn't listed, link your bank manually by following these instructions
Click Done once account is connected.
Manually add bank account
If your bank isn't listed, you can link your bank account manually by entering routing and account numbers (only checking accounts are supported). This process involves verifying your account with two small deposits (usually less than $1 each) that will be deposited into your checking account.
These deposits will stay in your account for 3-4 days before being withdrawn. During this period, log in to Playground and confirm the exact amount of each deposit to verify your account.
Mobile
From the Home screen tap the ☰ Menu icon in the top left corner.
Tap Payments to reach the Payments Portal screen.
Tap Payment methods.
To add a new method, tap the blue + sign.
Tap bank.
Tap Manually verify instead beneath Agree button on the first screen.
Enter your account and routing number into the fields once prompted
The account will be verified by Stripe through a single micro-deposit verification. Stripe will send micro-deposit transfers — a small amount, no larger than $1.00 — to your bank account. These transactions can take 1-2 business days to appear in your account.
When the micro-deposits have appeared in your bank account, return to the Payment Methods screen and tap your unverified bank account to reach the Verify Bank Account screens.
💡 The option to verify will only show up after the amounts have been deposited into your bank account. This process can take 1-2 business days.
The deposit will include a 6-digit code as the statement descriptor, usually in the form of with SMXXXX-PLAYGROUND. Enter that 6-digit code into the box when prompted.
Once verification is complete, Stripe will automatically refund the micro-deposits from your account.
Web
Log in to Playground.
Click on the Billing tab on the left hand side.
Click Add payment method.
Select Bank Account.
Click Manually verify instead under the Agree and continue button
Your bank information will be verified via micro-deposits to your account, typically within 1-2 business days. Only checking accounts are supported.
Enter your routing number and account number.
After 1-2 business days, when the micro-deposits have appeared in your bank account, return to the Payment Methods screen on mobile to continue the process on Step 8.
Add a credit or debit card
Child care providers on Playground decide which payment methods are accepted. If credit card payments aren't allowed, you can only add a bank account. If enabled, families can add credit/debit cards to a student's billing profile.
Mobile
From the Home screen tap the ☰ Menu icon in the top left corner.
Tap Payments to reach the Payments Portal screen.
Tap Payment methods.
To add a new method, tap the blue + sign.
Enter the required information in the appropriate fields
Tap Submit
You'll be returned to the Payment Methods screen, with a notification confirming your new payment method has been added.
Web
Log in to Playground.
Click on the Billing tab on the left hand side.
Click Add payment method.
Click Credit card.
Enter the required card information and click Add payment method.
Remove a payment method
Payment methods/existing cards can be removed by a payer at anytime, as long as there is another payment method attached to the account.
🚨 If you are removing your payment method, you may be responsible for making arrangements to pay any outstanding balances to your program. It's recommended to contact your program to find out what alternative payment options may be available to you.
Processing Fees
Anytime a transaction takes place online, or when a card is swiped with any vendor, a processing fee is attached to that transaction. This fee is generally dictated by the payment processor that the vendor chooses, not the vendor themselves. In many cases, the vendor pays this, and the customer is unaware that these fees are associated with their transaction. However, depending on the location and other factors, some vendors may choose to pass this fee on to the customer.
Any child care provider that uses Playground as their billing platform has the choice to forward the processing fees for each transaction to the payer. These fees will be different for ACH and card transactions. If the program has enabled this setting, this will be visible prior to making a payment and in the post-payment receipt via email.
If autopay is enabled, these processing fees will still be applied, so be sure to understand what fees may be included before enabling autopay or completing a payment.
🚨 Processing fees are not refundable, even if the payment has been refunded. Any questions regarding processing fees should be directed to the program directly.