Quick Overview
- 1#1: Brightwheel - All-in-one mobile platform for child care providers to manage attendance, payments, daily reports, and parent communication.
- 2#2: Procare Software - Robust child care management solution with advanced billing, accounting, staff scheduling, and family engagement tools.
- 3#3: Lillio - Streamlined child care software for attendance tracking, invoicing, staff management, and parent messaging.
- 4#4: Famly - Comprehensive childcare app handling bookings, payments, child observations, and real-time parent updates.
- 5#5: HiMama - Mobile-first child care platform for daily documentation, development tracking, and secure parent communication.
- 6#6: ChildCare Manager - Cloud-based administration software for child care centers managing enrollment, billing, attendance, and compliance reporting.
- 7#7: Jackrabbit Class - Class and childcare management system for registration, scheduling, payments, and attendance in early education programs.
- 8#8: EZChildTrack - Affordable online tool for child care providers to track attendance, handle billing, and generate reports.
- 9#9: ChildPlus - Enterprise-grade software tailored for Head Start programs with child tracking, family services, and regulatory compliance.
- 10#10: Storypark - Digital platform for early childhood educators to document learning stories, share updates, and engage parents.
Tools were selected and ranked based on feature relevance, user experience, security, and value, ensuring a balanced showcase of solutions that meet diverse operational needs.
Comparison Table
Managing child care operations is streamlined with specialized administration software, and this comparison table highlights top tools like Brightwheel, Procare Software, Lillio, Famly, HiMama, and more. Readers will uncover key features, usability, and practical fit, aiding in identifying the best solution for their facility's unique needs.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brightwheel All-in-one mobile platform for child care providers to manage attendance, payments, daily reports, and parent communication. | specialized | 9.4/10 | 9.6/10 | 9.5/10 | 9.1/10 |
| 2 | Procare Software Robust child care management solution with advanced billing, accounting, staff scheduling, and family engagement tools. | specialized | 9.2/10 | 9.5/10 | 8.4/10 | 8.9/10 |
| 3 | Lillio Streamlined child care software for attendance tracking, invoicing, staff management, and parent messaging. | specialized | 8.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.5/10 | 8.3/10 |
| 4 | Famly Comprehensive childcare app handling bookings, payments, child observations, and real-time parent updates. | specialized | 8.8/10 | 9.1/10 | 9.0/10 | 8.2/10 |
| 5 | HiMama Mobile-first child care platform for daily documentation, development tracking, and secure parent communication. | specialized | 8.4/10 | 8.7/10 | 9.1/10 | 7.8/10 |
| 6 | ChildCare Manager Cloud-based administration software for child care centers managing enrollment, billing, attendance, and compliance reporting. | specialized | 8.1/10 | 8.0/10 | 8.7/10 | 7.8/10 |
| 7 | Jackrabbit Class Class and childcare management system for registration, scheduling, payments, and attendance in early education programs. | specialized | 8.1/10 | 8.4/10 | 7.7/10 | 7.6/10 |
| 8 | EZChildTrack Affordable online tool for child care providers to track attendance, handle billing, and generate reports. | specialized | 8.1/10 | 7.8/10 | 8.6/10 | 8.7/10 |
| 9 | ChildPlus Enterprise-grade software tailored for Head Start programs with child tracking, family services, and regulatory compliance. | enterprise | 8.2/10 | 9.0/10 | 7.5/10 | 7.8/10 |
| 10 | Storypark Digital platform for early childhood educators to document learning stories, share updates, and engage parents. | specialized | 7.1/10 | 7.4/10 | 8.7/10 | 6.8/10 |
All-in-one mobile platform for child care providers to manage attendance, payments, daily reports, and parent communication.
Robust child care management solution with advanced billing, accounting, staff scheduling, and family engagement tools.
Streamlined child care software for attendance tracking, invoicing, staff management, and parent messaging.
Comprehensive childcare app handling bookings, payments, child observations, and real-time parent updates.
Mobile-first child care platform for daily documentation, development tracking, and secure parent communication.
Cloud-based administration software for child care centers managing enrollment, billing, attendance, and compliance reporting.
Class and childcare management system for registration, scheduling, payments, and attendance in early education programs.
Affordable online tool for child care providers to track attendance, handle billing, and generate reports.
Enterprise-grade software tailored for Head Start programs with child tracking, family services, and regulatory compliance.
Digital platform for early childhood educators to document learning stories, share updates, and engage parents.
Brightwheel
specializedAll-in-one mobile platform for child care providers to manage attendance, payments, daily reports, and parent communication.
Real-time parent app with instant notifications, check-in photos, and shareable child portfolios
Brightwheel is a comprehensive, mobile-first child care management platform designed for daycare centers, preschools, and family child care providers. It streamlines administrative tasks like attendance tracking, billing, scheduling, and staff management while fostering strong parent-teacher communication through daily updates, photos, videos, and reports. The software also supports child development tracking, lesson planning, and compliance reporting, making it a one-stop solution for modern child care operations.
Pros
- Intuitive mobile app for real-time attendance, check-ins, and parent communication
- Seamless billing and payment processing with QuickBooks integration
- Robust parent engagement tools including digital daily reports and portfolios
Cons
- Pricing scales with number of children, which can be costly for larger centers
- Advanced reporting features require higher-tier plans
- Occasional sync issues between web and mobile versions
Best For
Ideal for child care centers and preschools seeking a user-friendly, all-in-one platform with strong parent communication and mobile accessibility.
Pricing
Starts free for basics; paid plans from $12/child/month (Essentials) to $25+/child/month (Pro), billed annually with custom enterprise options.
Procare Software
specializedRobust child care management solution with advanced billing, accounting, staff scheduling, and family engagement tools.
Integrated childcare-specific accounting with automated billing cycles and Procare Payments for direct parent collections
Procare Software is a veteran childcare management platform tailored for daycare centers, preschools, and before/after-school programs, handling everything from enrollment and daily attendance to automated billing and family communications. It offers robust accounting tools, staff scheduling, and compliance reporting to streamline operations and ensure regulatory adherence. With mobile apps for parents and staff, it enhances accessibility and real-time updates across multi-location centers.
Pros
- Comprehensive all-in-one suite covering billing, attendance, scheduling, and reporting
- Strong integration with QuickBooks and payment processors for seamless finances
- Excellent customer support with dedicated training resources
Cons
- Steep learning curve for advanced features and initial setup
- Pricing can escalate quickly for larger centers or additional modules
- User interface shows its age in some areas, less modern than newer competitors
Best For
Mid-to-large childcare centers needing robust financial management and multi-location support.
Pricing
Starts at $129/month for Essentials plan (up to 50 children), $199/month for Complete, with custom enterprise pricing; per-child or per-site fees apply.
Lillio
specializedStreamlined child care software for attendance tracking, invoicing, staff management, and parent messaging.
Interactive child portfolios with photos, videos, and observations shared directly with parents via app
Lillio is an all-in-one childcare management software designed specifically for daycare centers, preschools, and home-based providers. It streamlines daily operations with features like attendance tracking, automated billing, staff scheduling, and compliance reporting. The platform excels in parent engagement through a mobile app for sharing child updates, photos, and portfolios, while also supporting lesson planning and developmental assessments.
Pros
- Intuitive parent app for real-time updates and communication
- Comprehensive child portfolios and assessment tools for tracking development
- Seamless billing and payment integration with multi-child discounts
Cons
- Higher pricing tiers can be costly for very small home-based programs
- Occasional glitches in mobile app syncing
- Limited advanced reporting customization without higher plans
Best For
Small to medium-sized childcare centers and preschools seeking strong parent engagement and child tracking features.
Pricing
Starts at $10/child/month for basic plans, scaling to $25+/child/month for premium features; custom quotes for larger centers.
Famly
specializedComprehensive childcare app handling bookings, payments, child observations, and real-time parent updates.
The integrated parent app with push notifications, daily reports, and in-app payments that builds strong family partnerships.
Famly is a comprehensive childcare management platform tailored for nurseries, preschools, and daycare centers, offering tools for attendance tracking, staff scheduling, billing, and parent communication. It includes a dedicated parent app for real-time updates, photo sharing, payments, and engagement, alongside staff features for lesson planning, child observations, and compliance reporting. Designed primarily for the European market, it streamlines daily operations while supporting early years education documentation.
Pros
- Intuitive parent and staff mobile apps for seamless communication and updates
- Robust child development tracking with digital learning journals and observations
- Automated billing, invoicing, and compliance reporting tailored to childcare regulations
Cons
- Pricing scales quickly for larger centers and may be steep for very small providers
- Some features are region-specific (e.g., UK/EU focused), limiting global appeal
- Occasional reports of app performance issues during peak usage
Best For
Medium-sized nurseries and preschools in Europe prioritizing parent engagement and administrative efficiency.
Pricing
Subscription-based, typically £1-£3 per child per month with custom quotes; starts around £100/month for small centers.
HiMama
specializedMobile-first child care platform for daily documentation, development tracking, and secure parent communication.
Automated digital daily sheets with photos, videos, and developmental insights shared instantly to parents' phones
HiMama is a child care management software tailored for early childhood centers, focusing on streamlining daily documentation, parent communication, and administrative tasks. It provides tools for attendance tracking, curriculum planning, child portfolios with photos and videos, and compliance reporting to support licensing requirements. The platform emphasizes family engagement through a user-friendly mobile app that shares real-time updates on children's activities and milestones.
Pros
- Exceptional parent engagement via mobile app with daily reports and photos
- Comprehensive child documentation and portfolio tools
- Intuitive interface with strong mobile accessibility for staff
Cons
- Pricing scales quickly for larger centers
- Limited built-in billing and accounting depth
- Reporting customization lacks advanced flexibility
Best For
Small to medium childcare centers emphasizing parent communication and child progress sharing.
Pricing
Starts at $99/month base for small centers (up to 50 children), plus $3-5 per additional child; custom enterprise pricing available.
ChildCare Manager
specializedCloud-based administration software for child care centers managing enrollment, billing, attendance, and compliance reporting.
Automated billing with built-in online payment collection and family ledger tracking
ChildCare Manager from Sandbox Software is a cloud-based administration platform tailored for child care centers, managing enrollment, attendance, billing, scheduling, and compliance. It offers tools for staff management, parent portals, and reporting to streamline daily operations. The software focuses on simplicity and regulatory adherence, making it suitable for providers handling multiple locations or varying group sizes.
Pros
- Intuitive interface with minimal training required for staff
- Strong billing and payment processing integration
- Effective parent communication via portals and apps
Cons
- Limited advanced customization and reporting options
- Occasional performance lags with large datasets
- Fewer third-party integrations compared to competitors
Best For
Small to medium child care centers needing reliable, straightforward administrative tools without complex setups.
Pricing
Tiered subscription starting at $99/month for up to 50 children, scaling to $2-3 per child/month for larger centers, with add-ons for extras like payroll.
Jackrabbit Class
specializedClass and childcare management system for registration, scheduling, payments, and attendance in early education programs.
Advanced waitlist and online registration system that auto-fills classes as spots open.
Jackrabbit Class is a cloud-based management platform designed for class-based businesses, including child care centers, dance studios, and enrichment programs. It offers tools for online registration, class scheduling, attendance tracking, automated billing, and parent portals to streamline administrative tasks. The software provides reporting dashboards and mobile apps for staff and families, making it suitable for managing rosters, payments, and communications in child care environments.
Pros
- Comprehensive class scheduling and roster management
- Integrated online payments and billing automation
- User-friendly parent and staff mobile apps
Cons
- Steeper learning curve for new users
- Pricing scales quickly with student numbers
- Limited advanced customization options
Best For
Small to mid-sized child care centers and class-based programs needing robust scheduling and registration tools.
Pricing
Starts at around $65/month for up to 50 students; scales to $4.95 per student/month plus transaction fees.
EZChildTrack
specializedAffordable online tool for child care providers to track attendance, handle billing, and generate reports.
PIN-based electronic sign-in/out with real-time parent notifications for secure attendance tracking
EZChildTrack is a web-based child care management software tailored for small to medium-sized centers, focusing on attendance tracking, family billing, and parent communication. It provides tools for daily sign-ins via PIN codes, automated invoicing, staff scheduling, and state compliance reports. The platform emphasizes simplicity and affordability, helping providers manage operations without complex setups.
Pros
- User-friendly interface with quick setup
- Affordable per-child pricing model
- Reliable parent notification and portal features
Cons
- Limited advanced analytics and custom reporting
- Basic mobile app functionality
- Fewer integrations with third-party tools
Best For
Small to medium child care centers seeking a straightforward, cost-effective solution for core administrative tasks.
Pricing
Starts at $1.25 per child per month (minimum 25 children), with no setup fees and scalable plans.
ChildPlus
enterpriseEnterprise-grade software tailored for Head Start programs with child tracking, family services, and regulatory compliance.
Automated Program Information Report (PIR) generation with built-in validation for seamless federal compliance reporting.
ChildPlus is a robust child care administration software designed primarily for Head Start and early childhood education programs, offering tools for enrollment, attendance tracking, health screenings, family services, and fiscal management. It ensures compliance with federal regulations through automated reporting and data collection features. The platform supports multi-site operations with customizable workflows to streamline daily administrative tasks.
Pros
- Exceptional compliance tools for Head Start and federal regulations
- Comprehensive modules covering child tracking, family engagement, and reporting
- Scalable for multi-site and large programs with strong data security
Cons
- Steep learning curve for new users due to feature depth
- Custom pricing lacks transparency and can be expensive for smaller centers
- Limited native mobile app functionality and third-party integrations
Best For
Large Head Start grantees or early childhood programs requiring deep regulatory compliance and enterprise-level administration.
Pricing
Custom quote-based pricing starting around $5,000-$10,000 annually for mid-sized programs, scaling with enrollment size and modules.
Storypark
specializedDigital platform for early childhood educators to document learning stories, share updates, and engage parents.
Real-time digital learning journals that allow educators to build shareable multimedia portfolios directly with families
Storypark is a child-focused platform primarily designed for early childhood educators to create and share digital learning stories, observations, and portfolios with families in real-time. It facilitates parent engagement through a mobile app, supports attendance tracking, and offers basic administrative tools like daily reports and child profiles. While excellent for documentation and communication, it falls short as a full childcare administration solution lacking robust billing, rostering, and compliance management.
Pros
- Exceptional family engagement via interactive stories and mobile app
- User-friendly interface for quick documentation of observations and photos
- Strong focus on child development tracking and sharing insights
Cons
- Limited administrative tools like billing, scheduling, and payroll
- Not ideal for larger centers needing comprehensive compliance reporting
- Pricing scales per child, which can add up without full admin features
Best For
Small early childhood centers or preschools prioritizing parent communication and learning documentation over full administrative management.
Pricing
Subscription-based at approximately $6-10 AUD per child per month, with center-wide plans available.
Conclusion
Evaluating the top 10 child care administration tools reveals a range of strong options, each designed to simplify operations, but three tools rise to the top. Brightwheel, our top choice, leads with its all-in-one mobile platform, seamlessly managing attendance, payments, and parent communication. Procare Software and Lillio follow as excellent alternatives: Procare for its robust billing and staff scheduling tools, and Lillio for its streamlined approach to attendance and parent messaging.
To elevate your child care management, start with the versatile Brightwheel—experience firsthand how its user-friendly features and comprehensive tools can transform daily operations and strengthen family connections.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison