From first steps to new beginnings
Journals Brought to Life
At Tapestry, we’ve partnered with publisher Group Hugs to bring children’s PDF journals to life as beautifully printed books.
To get started simply export children’s journals from your Tapestry account as you normally would. Parents can then download the PDF and use it to order a printed book directly.
If parents have saved the PDFs of journals for children who are no longer on Tapestry, they can still use those files to order a book.
Are you a parent or carer wanting to know more?
We have a dedicated area for you! Find out how to purchase your child’s printed journal and have all your questions answered – all in one place.
How can families order a printed journal?
Whether children are moving up or leaving your setting, you can export children’s journals in minutes and give parents access. Parents can also export their child’s PDF journal themselves.
Families download a copy of their child’s PDF journal
Parents and carers will be able to download the PDF journal from the ‘Downloads’ section in their account. This area is not available on the app.
They order a printed copy of the journal
Families can order a printed journal then and there when they download the digital version. They’ll just need to click the ‘Order a printed book’ button.
Families receive a beautifully printed journal
In just a few short weeks, families will receive their child’s book directly to their home address ❤️
Journal export - advice for staff
Before exporting children’s journals for parents, we recommend reviewing this advice article. It covers both the export process and important tips to help ensure the journals are formatted optimally for printed books.
How much do Tapestry printed journals cost?
The cost will depend on the length of the child’s journal and whether it’s a hardback or softback printed journal.
Printed journals are wonderful keepsakes, so settings, childminders, and schools looking to purchase copies as gifts – or on behalf of parents – can order multiple children’s journals at once from the Group Hugs website.
You can also order a sample pack to check the quality of the printed journals and to show to families in your setting.
Relatives downloading journals - advice for staff
It is also possible for relatives to export their own copy of their child’s journal. This doesn’t give relatives access to data that they can’t already access but we have written this article for staff with some advice on how to manage this feature.
Downloadable Resources
Tell your families
Let your families know about printed journals with this poster you can display in your setting or school.
Communication on Tapestry
A poster showing you the different Tapestry features and what they're for.
'Journals are ready to download' letter template
Tell your families that their children's journals will be ready to download soon, how to get them, and what to do if they want to purchase a printed book.
Parent Permission Slip and Image Consent Form
Get consent from families to use Tapestry, inform them of where their children's pictures might appear, and gain permission to use their images in a variety of scenarios.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I order books for my whole class?
You can order copies of multiple children’s journals from the Group Hugs website.
Can I have an example copy for my school or setting?
If you are a school or setting and would like to have an example copy for yourself, you can purchase an example pack directly from Group Hugs.
That includes:
- An introductory letter.
- A paperback example book. It will include a collection of observations for many fictional children, created by the team here at Tapestry to show the sorts of things that would appear in a typical Tapestry journal. These observations are not taken from any real Tapestry accounts.
- A poster to display at your setting.
What do I need to do so parents and carers can order their own printed journal?
You’ll just need to export the children’s journals into PDF and give parents and carers access to these (all part of the same process).
The parents and carers will then be able to order their books straight from their own accounts on Tapestry or download their PDFs and order a copy later. The ‘How to purchase a printed book of your child’s journal’ tutorial explains how they can do this.
You can also let parents know they can export a PDF copy of the child’s journal themselves.
Can previous years' parents get one too?
Yes, if:
- The child’s journal is still available (the child is still active, deactivated or awaiting deletion) on your Tapestry account then you can export a PDF copy for the parents which can be used to order a printed journal. If the child is still active, parents can export the journals themselves. If the child is deactivated or awaiting deletion, you’ll need to do it for them.
- The parents already have a PDF copy of the child’s journal. They’ll be able to upload old Tapestry journals directly to the Group Hugs website – always making sure that the journal is in PDF format.
No, if:
- The child’s journal is no longer available on Tapestry and the parents don’t have a PDF. Data will remain in Tapestry backups for 90 days after a profile is deleted but after that it cannot be restored.
- They have a PDF journal, but this was created using a different learning journal provider. Group Hugs printed journals are exclusive to Tapestry.
Do parents have to buy the book or is there a download option?
Parents and carers do not need to purchase a printed journal. They can simply download and keep the PDF version.
Generating and downloading the PDF is free for you and for the parents.
Is there a minimum or maximum page count to be able to purchase a printed journal?
Printed journals have a minimum requirement of 20 pages and can be no longer than 1600 pages.
Please note that after 849 pages the journal will be split into two printed journals.
What does the printed book look/feel like, and what size is it?
Both the hardback and softback have matt covers and are somewhere between A4 and A5.
The paperback is: 174 x 248mm
The hardback is: 180 x 254mm
The depth depends on the number of pages.
Do we have to add profile pictures?
If the child has a profile picture this will appear on the front cover of the printed journal, but you don’t have to add one.
If the child doesn’t have a profile picture, Group Hugs will use a colourful graphic of a tree on the front cover instead.
If you’d like to add a profile picture before exporting the children’s journals, the ‘How to upload profile pictures for children’ tutorial will talk you through the steps.
Can things be added after the PDF has been generated?
If you add anything new to a child’s journal after a PDF journal has been created for them, you will need to export a new one if you want the addition to be included.
Exported journals do not update if you add new observations to the child’s journal, even if no one has downloaded it yet.
Once a printed journal has been ordered, the content will not update.
Please refrain from manually altering an exported PDF – the system Group Hugs uses to convert the PDF to a book looks at hidden technical information that is lost when you edit the PDF downloaded from Tapestry.
Can the parents and carers choose which photos are included in the printed journals?
If parents export the journals themselves, they will be able to choose what observation types to include. However, they cannot pick and choose what images within those observations are exported.
Please note, parents can only view and export what they already they have access to. For instance:
- Observations created by staff that have been published, i.e. ‘in journal’ observations.
- Observations created by themselves or other linked parents that have been published, i.e. ‘in journal’ parent observations. NB: Parent observations that haven’t been approved will not be included, even if the parent can see them in their account.
- ‘In journal’ group observations. NB: Group observation media will only be included if they have permission to see this. You can review your parent permissions at any time.
- Comments – including comments by other parents if they have permission to see these.
- Observation Flags – only if they have prior permission to see them.
If parents try to edit or amend the exported PDF this would result in an error when submitted to Group Hugs.
Can parents export their child's PDF journal themselves?
Yes!
This tutorial explains how they can export their children’s journals.
You can discover what this means for you on this page.
Can I export children's journals from the app?
No. PDF copies of the journals must be generated and downloaded from the browser version of Tapestry.
Can parents order printed journals from the app?
No. Printed journals can only be purchased when parents and carers download the PDF version from the browser version of Tapestry, or by uploading them to the Group Hugs website.
How long do journals take to arrive and is there a way to track the status of an order?
Group Hugs aim to dispatch all journals within 6 weeks from the date the order was placed but in quieter times it will likely be much sooner than that.
If you are ordering to an address outside the UK, delivery times will vary.
A confirmation email will be sent when an order is dispatched.
You can track the status of your order from the Group Hugs website using their virtual assistant (found in the bottom right-hand corner). You will need your order number.
Are Tapestry printed journals shipped internationally?
Yes it it possible to ship the books internationally. The delivery fee is likely to be a bit higher and recipients may also have to pay import taxes. To make this easier, it is possible for international schools and settings to order the books in bulk. Take a look at this page for more information.
I have got an issue with my order, who do I speak to?
In the unlikely scenario that you have issues with the ordering process or print quality, you should email Group Hugs directly at customerservice@grouphugs.co.uk. They’ll be able to assist!
I have an idea for an improvement or another question, who do I contact?
If your question/idea is about layout, or features within Tapestry, then get in touch with us at customer.service@eyfs.info.
If it’s about the printed version (i.e. something that isn’t also relevant to the PDF version of the journal), then get in touch with Group Hugs at settings@grouphugs.co.uk.
Can I read the Group Hugs privacy policy?
Yes, you can find a copy of the privacy policy here.
You will also be shown it before you purchase a printed journal.