Quick Overview
- 1#1: Brightwheel - All-in-one mobile-first platform for child care centers handling attendance, billing, parent communication, and daily sheets.
- 2#2: Procare Software - Comprehensive childcare management solution with advanced billing, accounting, attendance tracking, and family engagement features.
- 3#3: Lillio - Streamlined software for early education programs offering daily reporting, lesson planning, attendance, and parent updates.
- 4#4: Famly - Cloud-based nursery management tool for attendance, invoicing, staff scheduling, and real-time parent communication.
- 5#5: Tadpoles - Simple app for preschool and childcare centers focused on daily updates, photos, attendance, and parent-teacher communication.
- 6#6: EZChildTrack - Affordable cloud-based system for child care management including enrollment, billing, attendance, and compliance reporting.
- 7#7: SmartCare - User-friendly software for child care providers managing attendance, child records, billing, and staff scheduling.
- 8#8: Storypark - Digital portfolio platform for early childhood centers emphasizing learning stories, observations, and family engagement.
- 9#9: ChildCare Manager - Integrated management software for daycares handling registration, payments, rosters, and parent portals.
- 10#10: Jackrabbit Class - Class management software adaptable for child care with scheduling, billing, attendance, and online registration features.
We selected and ranked these tools based on robustness of features, user experience, reliability, and overall value, ensuring they address the diverse needs of child care providers.
Comparison Table
Choosing the right child care center management software requires evaluating key features, usability, and fit for your operations. This comparison table breaks down leading tools like Brightwheel, Procare Software, Lillio, Famly, Tadpoles, and more, helping readers identify which solution aligns best with their daily needs, parent communication, and growth goals.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brightwheel All-in-one mobile-first platform for child care centers handling attendance, billing, parent communication, and daily sheets. | specialized | 9.6/10 | 9.8/10 | 9.4/10 | 9.2/10 |
| 2 | Procare Software Comprehensive childcare management solution with advanced billing, accounting, attendance tracking, and family engagement features. | specialized | 9.2/10 | 9.5/10 | 8.7/10 | 9.0/10 |
| 3 | Lillio Streamlined software for early education programs offering daily reporting, lesson planning, attendance, and parent updates. | specialized | 8.7/10 | 8.5/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 4 | Famly Cloud-based nursery management tool for attendance, invoicing, staff scheduling, and real-time parent communication. | specialized | 8.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.5/10 | 8.3/10 |
| 5 | Tadpoles Simple app for preschool and childcare centers focused on daily updates, photos, attendance, and parent-teacher communication. | specialized | 8.4/10 | 8.2/10 | 9.1/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 6 | EZChildTrack Affordable cloud-based system for child care management including enrollment, billing, attendance, and compliance reporting. | specialized | 8.1/10 | 8.0/10 | 8.7/10 | 8.5/10 |
| 7 | SmartCare User-friendly software for child care providers managing attendance, child records, billing, and staff scheduling. | specialized | 8.2/10 | 8.5/10 | 8.0/10 | 7.8/10 |
| 8 | Storypark Digital portfolio platform for early childhood centers emphasizing learning stories, observations, and family engagement. | specialized | 8.1/10 | 8.4/10 | 9.2/10 | 7.6/10 |
| 9 | ChildCare Manager Integrated management software for daycares handling registration, payments, rosters, and parent portals. | specialized | 8.1/10 | 8.4/10 | 7.9/10 | 7.7/10 |
| 10 | Jackrabbit Class Class management software adaptable for child care with scheduling, billing, attendance, and online registration features. | specialized | 7.2/10 | 7.0/10 | 8.1/10 | 6.8/10 |
All-in-one mobile-first platform for child care centers handling attendance, billing, parent communication, and daily sheets.
Comprehensive childcare management solution with advanced billing, accounting, attendance tracking, and family engagement features.
Streamlined software for early education programs offering daily reporting, lesson planning, attendance, and parent updates.
Cloud-based nursery management tool for attendance, invoicing, staff scheduling, and real-time parent communication.
Simple app for preschool and childcare centers focused on daily updates, photos, attendance, and parent-teacher communication.
Affordable cloud-based system for child care management including enrollment, billing, attendance, and compliance reporting.
User-friendly software for child care providers managing attendance, child records, billing, and staff scheduling.
Digital portfolio platform for early childhood centers emphasizing learning stories, observations, and family engagement.
Integrated management software for daycares handling registration, payments, rosters, and parent portals.
Class management software adaptable for child care with scheduling, billing, attendance, and online registration features.
Brightwheel
specializedAll-in-one mobile-first platform for child care centers handling attendance, billing, parent communication, and daily sheets.
The robust parent communication app with instant photo/video sharing and developmental milestone tracking
Brightwheel is a comprehensive all-in-one childcare management platform tailored for child care centers, preschools, and family child care providers. It handles essential operations like attendance tracking, billing and payments, staff scheduling, lesson planning, and child assessments. The standout parent app enables real-time communication, photo sharing, daily reports, and secure check-in/out, fostering strong family engagement.
Pros
- Extensive feature set covering admin, teaching, and parent tools
- Intuitive mobile apps for staff and parents with real-time updates
- Strong security and compliance for child data privacy
Cons
- Higher pricing tiers needed for advanced reporting
- Occasional app glitches during peak usage
- Limited customization in basic plans
Best For
Medium to large childcare centers and preschools prioritizing parent engagement and streamlined operations.
Pricing
Tiered per-child-per-month pricing: Essential ($10/child), Plus ($25/child), Premium ($40/child); annual discounts available.
Procare Software
specializedComprehensive childcare management solution with advanced billing, accounting, attendance tracking, and family engagement features.
Procare's integrated QuickCare payment processing for automated billing, collections, and child-specific invoicing
Procare Software is a veteran childcare management platform tailored for child care centers, preschools, and before/after-school programs, offering end-to-end tools for enrollment, attendance tracking, billing, and staff scheduling. It features a parent portal and mobile app for real-time check-ins, communication, and payments, alongside robust reporting for compliance and business insights. With both cloud-based and on-premise options, it supports centers of varying sizes while integrating seamlessly with payment processors and accounting software.
Pros
- Comprehensive billing and automated invoicing with integrated payment processing
- Strong parent and staff mobile apps for seamless communication and check-ins
- Extensive reporting and compliance tools tailored to childcare regulations
Cons
- Higher pricing tiers for larger centers can add up quickly
- Interface feels somewhat dated compared to newer competitors
- Initial setup and customization may require training
Best For
Medium to large childcare centers prioritizing financial management, compliance, and reliable parent engagement tools.
Pricing
Starts at $137/month for Essentials plan (up to 100 children), with Complete and Enterprise tiers custom-quoted based on size and features; per-child or per-site billing options available.
Lillio
specializedStreamlined software for early education programs offering daily reporting, lesson planning, attendance, and parent updates.
The Lillio Parent App, offering instant photo/video sharing, daily reports, and two-way messaging to boost family involvement.
Lillio is a comprehensive childcare management software designed for child care centers, family homes, and preschools to handle daily operations efficiently. It provides tools for attendance tracking, parent communication via a dedicated app, billing and invoicing, staff scheduling, and compliance reporting. The platform emphasizes real-time updates, photo sharing, and insights to foster strong family engagement while simplifying administrative workflows.
Pros
- Intuitive mobile apps for parents and staff with real-time communication and updates
- Robust daily reporting and compliance tools tailored for childcare regulations
- Seamless billing and payment processing with automated invoicing
Cons
- Pricing scales quickly for larger centers, potentially reducing value for bigger operations
- Limited advanced customization options compared to enterprise-level competitors
- Fewer third-party integrations than some top alternatives
Best For
Small to medium-sized childcare centers and family homes prioritizing parent engagement and ease of daily operations.
Pricing
Starts at $99/month for basic plans (up to 50 children), with custom pricing for larger centers based on enrollment size.
Famly
specializedCloud-based nursery management tool for attendance, invoicing, staff scheduling, and real-time parent communication.
Famly Parent App for instant, two-way communication, photo sharing, and payments
Famly is an all-in-one childcare management platform tailored for nurseries, preschools, and childminders, handling everything from attendance tracking and staff rostering to billing and child development journals. It emphasizes seamless parent-staff communication via a dedicated mobile app, enabling real-time updates, payments, and shared observations. The software supports compliance with early years standards, particularly in the UK and Europe, making it a streamlined solution for daily operations.
Pros
- Exceptional parent engagement tools with real-time app communication
- Comprehensive billing, attendance, and learning journal features
- Strong compliance reporting for UK/EU early years regulations
Cons
- Pricing scales up significantly for larger centers
- Limited third-party integrations compared to competitors
- Interface can feel overwhelming for very small operations initially
Best For
Small to medium-sized nurseries and preschools in the UK/Europe prioritizing parent communication and regulatory compliance.
Pricing
Starts at ~£1.50 per child per month (billed annually), with tiered plans scaling by child count and features up to £3+ per child.
Tadpoles
specializedSimple app for preschool and childcare centers focused on daily updates, photos, attendance, and parent-teacher communication.
Automated, personalized daily reports (Tadpole Tales) delivered directly to parents' phones with photos, videos, and child progress updates.
Tadpoles is a user-friendly childcare management software designed for daycare centers, preschools, and early learning programs. It excels in parent communication through daily digital reports, photo and video sharing, attendance tracking, and basic billing features. The platform simplifies daily operations by providing real-time updates to families and staff via mobile apps, fostering transparency and engagement.
Pros
- Exceptional parent engagement with personalized daily reports and media sharing
- Simple attendance and check-in/out via mobile app
- Affordable pricing scaled to center size
Cons
- Limited advanced reporting and analytics compared to enterprise tools
- Fewer integrations with third-party systems like payroll
- Customization options are basic
Best For
Small to medium-sized childcare centers focused on strong parent communication and straightforward daily management.
Pricing
Starts at $5 per child per month for basic plans, scaling up to $10+ for premium features with no long-term contracts.
EZChildTrack
specializedAffordable cloud-based system for child care management including enrollment, billing, attendance, and compliance reporting.
EZCheck-in/out system with facial recognition and photo verification for secure, contactless attendance tracking
EZChildTrack is a web-based child care management software tailored for small to medium-sized centers, offering tools for child enrollment, attendance tracking, billing, and parent communication. It includes features like daily sign-in/out with photo capture, staff scheduling, lesson planning, and compliance reporting for state regulations. The platform emphasizes simplicity and affordability, with a mobile app for parents to view updates, schedules, and payments in real-time.
Pros
- Intuitive interface with minimal training required
- Affordable pricing scalable by enrollment size
- Strong parent engagement tools including mobile app
- Reliable attendance and billing automation
Cons
- Limited advanced reporting and analytics
- Basic customization options for forms and workflows
- Fewer integrations with third-party tools compared to competitors
Best For
Small to medium child care centers seeking a straightforward, cost-effective solution for daily operations and parent communication.
Pricing
Starts at $29/month for up to 25 children, with tiered plans up to $199/month for 200+ children; no long-term contracts required.
SmartCare
specializedUser-friendly software for child care providers managing attendance, child records, billing, and staff scheduling.
ParentConnect mobile app for instant notifications, check-ins, and tuition payments
SmartCare is a cloud-based childcare management software tailored for child care centers, offering tools for enrollment, daily attendance tracking, staff scheduling, and automated billing. It features a parent portal and mobile app for real-time communication, updates, and payments, along with compliance reporting for state regulations. The platform supports family management, lesson planning, and basic accounting to streamline center operations.
Pros
- Comprehensive parent app for communication and payments
- Automated billing and attendance tracking
- Strong compliance tools for licensing reports
Cons
- Pricing scales per child, costly for large centers
- Limited advanced reporting and customization
- Interface feels dated compared to newer competitors
Best For
Small to medium-sized child care centers needing reliable parent engagement and billing automation.
Pricing
Starts at $65/month base + $4.95 per child/month; custom quotes for larger centers with setup fees.
Storypark
specializedDigital portfolio platform for early childhood centers emphasizing learning stories, observations, and family engagement.
Interactive family journal allowing parents to upload content and engage directly in their child's digital portfolio
Storypark is a cloud-based platform tailored for early childhood education centers, enabling educators to create digital learning stories, share observations, photos, and videos with families in real-time. It supports child development tracking, attendance management, roster planning, and compliance reporting to streamline daily operations. The mobile app empowers parents to engage actively, comment, and contribute to their child's portfolio, fostering strong home-center partnerships.
Pros
- Exceptional parent engagement tools with real-time updates and contributions
- Intuitive mobile app for educators and families
- Strong focus on pedagogical documentation and compliance
Cons
- Limited built-in billing and financial management
- Pricing scales directly with number of children
- Fewer integrations compared to full-suite management software
Best For
Childcare centers and preschools emphasizing learning documentation, family communication, and developmental tracking over extensive administrative functions.
Pricing
Custom subscription based on center size; typically AUD $5-10 per child per month.
ChildCare Manager
specializedIntegrated management software for daycares handling registration, payments, rosters, and parent portals.
The family portal with photo sharing and daily reports, fostering strong parent-staff engagement
ChildCare Manager is a cloud-based software platform tailored for childcare centers, enabling efficient management of enrollment, daily attendance, billing, and parent communications. It provides tools for staff scheduling, child tracking, compliance reporting, and family portals to keep parents informed. The solution supports multiple locations and integrates with payment processors for seamless invoicing.
Pros
- Comprehensive billing and payment processing with QuickBooks integration
- Intuitive parent portal and mobile app for real-time updates
- Strong compliance tools for state licensing and reporting
Cons
- Limited advanced customization for unique workflows
- Mobile app can be slow during peak hours
- Pricing scales quickly for larger centers with many children
Best For
Small to mid-sized childcare centers seeking reliable core management features without excessive complexity.
Pricing
Starts at $79/month for up to 50 children; scales to $299+/month for larger centers, plus per-child fees and setup costs.
Jackrabbit Class
specializedClass management software adaptable for child care with scheduling, billing, attendance, and online registration features.
Advanced online registration system with real-time class availability, waitlists, and multi-session enrollment
Jackrabbit Class is a cloud-based management platform tailored for class-based programs like enrichment centers, dance studios, and after-school activities, offering online registration, payment processing, scheduling, and attendance tracking. It includes family management, reporting, and a parent portal for communication, making it suitable for child care centers focused on structured classes rather than full-day daycare. While adaptable, it lacks specialized tools for daily child care tasks like nap tracking or meal planning.
Pros
- User-friendly online registration and automated billing
- Robust scheduling and multi-location support
- Excellent attendance tracking and reporting tools
Cons
- Limited support for traditional daycare features like daily logs or licensing compliance
- Pricing scales quickly with student numbers
- Steeper learning curve for advanced customizations
Best For
Child care centers running scheduled classes, camps, or enrichment programs rather than full-time daycare.
Pricing
Custom pricing based on students and locations; starts around $125/month for small programs, with per-student fees for larger ones (demo required for exact quote).
Conclusion
After evaluating 10 industry-leading tools, three platforms emerged as top performers, with Brightwheel taking the top spot for its all-in-one mobile-first design that seamlessly handles attendance, billing, and parent communication. Procare Software stands out for its comprehensive features, including advanced billing and family engagement tools, while Lillio excels with streamlined daily reporting and lesson planning capabilities to meet diverse center needs.
Take the first step toward a more efficient operation by trying Brightwheel, the top choice for its robust, user-friendly toolkit—or explore Procare Software or Lillio if your center has specific priorities like advanced accounting or detailed daily updates.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison