Quick Overview
- 1#1: Brightwheel - All-in-one child care management platform that simplifies enrollment, billing, attendance tracking, and parent communication.
- 2#2: Procare Software - Comprehensive child care solution for enrollment management, family billing, attendance, and staff scheduling.
- 3#3: Lillio - Modern child care software handling enrollment, payments, check-in/out, and real-time parent updates.
- 4#4: HiMama - Child care app for digital enrollment, daily reporting, curriculum planning, and secure parent engagement.
- 5#5: Jackrabbit Class - Class management software with robust enrollment, registration, billing, and reporting for child care programs.
- 6#6: sandbox - Cloud-based child care management tool for enrollment, waitlists, invoicing, and compliance tracking.
- 7#7: Kinderlime - User-friendly platform for child care enrollment, attendance, billing, and parent portal access.
- 8#8: SmartCare - Child care software offering enrollment processing, family management, payments, and state reporting.
- 9#9: Childcare Manager - Affordable solution for managing child enrollments, schedules, billing, and center operations.
- 10#10: EZCare - Simple child care management system with enrollment forms, invoicing, and basic attendance features.
We ranked these tools by evaluating feature depth (enrollment, billing, reporting), usability, vendor support, and total value, ensuring the list reflects both cutting-edge functionality and practicality for child care providers.
Comparison Table
Finding the right child care enrollment software requires evaluating key features, and this comparison table simplifies the process by analyzing tools like Brightwheel, Procare Software, Lillio, HiMama, Jackrabbit Class, and more. It breaks down differences in usability, parent communication, and administrative support to help readers identify which solution best aligns with their center’s unique needs.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brightwheel All-in-one child care management platform that simplifies enrollment, billing, attendance tracking, and parent communication. | specialized | 9.4/10 | 9.5/10 | 9.6/10 | 9.2/10 |
| 2 | Procare Software Comprehensive child care solution for enrollment management, family billing, attendance, and staff scheduling. | specialized | 8.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.0/10 | 8.5/10 |
| 3 | Lillio Modern child care software handling enrollment, payments, check-in/out, and real-time parent updates. | specialized | 8.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.5/10 | 8.3/10 |
| 4 | HiMama Child care app for digital enrollment, daily reporting, curriculum planning, and secure parent engagement. | specialized | 8.6/10 | 9.1/10 | 8.4/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 5 | Jackrabbit Class Class management software with robust enrollment, registration, billing, and reporting for child care programs. | specialized | 8.4/10 | 9.1/10 | 7.8/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 6 | sandbox Cloud-based child care management tool for enrollment, waitlists, invoicing, and compliance tracking. | specialized | 8.4/10 | 8.6/10 | 9.1/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 7 | Kinderlime User-friendly platform for child care enrollment, attendance, billing, and parent portal access. | specialized | 8.1/10 | 8.5/10 | 7.9/10 | 7.7/10 |
| 8 | SmartCare Child care software offering enrollment processing, family management, payments, and state reporting. | specialized | 8.1/10 | 8.4/10 | 8.0/10 | 7.7/10 |
| 9 | Childcare Manager Affordable solution for managing child enrollments, schedules, billing, and center operations. | specialized | 8.2/10 | 8.5/10 | 8.0/10 | 7.8/10 |
| 10 | EZCare Simple child care management system with enrollment forms, invoicing, and basic attendance features. | specialized | 7.2/10 | 7.0/10 | 8.0/10 | 7.8/10 |
All-in-one child care management platform that simplifies enrollment, billing, attendance tracking, and parent communication.
Comprehensive child care solution for enrollment management, family billing, attendance, and staff scheduling.
Modern child care software handling enrollment, payments, check-in/out, and real-time parent updates.
Child care app for digital enrollment, daily reporting, curriculum planning, and secure parent engagement.
Class management software with robust enrollment, registration, billing, and reporting for child care programs.
Cloud-based child care management tool for enrollment, waitlists, invoicing, and compliance tracking.
User-friendly platform for child care enrollment, attendance, billing, and parent portal access.
Child care software offering enrollment processing, family management, payments, and state reporting.
Affordable solution for managing child enrollments, schedules, billing, and center operations.
Simple child care management system with enrollment forms, invoicing, and basic attendance features.
Brightwheel
specializedAll-in-one child care management platform that simplifies enrollment, billing, attendance tracking, and parent communication.
Fully automated enrollment-to-billing workflow with e-signatures and recurring payments
Brightwheel is a comprehensive child care management platform that excels in enrollment by offering online forms, waitlists, and automated onboarding for parents. It integrates enrollment seamlessly with billing, attendance tracking, daily reports, and parent communication tools. Designed for daycares, preschools, and home-based providers, it reduces administrative burdens while fostering strong family engagement through a mobile-first app.
Pros
- Intuitive online enrollment with customizable forms and waitlist management
- Seamless integration of enrollment data with billing and payments
- Mobile app enables real-time parent access and communication
Cons
- Pricing scales per child, which can be expensive for large centers
- Advanced reporting and customization options are somewhat limited
- Occasional sync issues between app and web dashboard reported by users
Best For
Small to medium-sized child care providers and preschools looking for an all-in-one, user-friendly enrollment and management solution.
Pricing
Starts at $10/child/month (Essentials plan, min. 10 children); Plus ($12/child/month) and Pro tiers add advanced features; annual billing offers discounts.
Procare Software
specializedComprehensive child care solution for enrollment management, family billing, attendance, and staff scheduling.
Procare Home online family portal for real-time enrollment, payments, and updates
Procare Software is a robust child care management platform designed specifically for enrollment, billing, attendance tracking, and family management in child care centers. It features an intuitive online parent portal for self-service enrollment, document uploads, and payment processing, reducing administrative workload. The system also provides customizable reporting, staff scheduling, and compliance tools to support efficient operations in preschools and daycares.
Pros
- Comprehensive all-in-one solution with strong enrollment and billing automation
- Reliable online parent portal for seamless family communication and payments
- Extensive reporting and compliance features tailored to child care regulations
Cons
- Steeper learning curve due to extensive features
- Pricing can be high for small centers with few children
- Interface feels dated in some areas compared to newer competitors
Best For
Medium to large child care centers needing advanced billing, enrollment, and reporting capabilities.
Pricing
Subscription-based starting at $137/month for basic plans, scaling with number of children and add-ons; custom quotes available.
Lillio
specializedModern child care software handling enrollment, payments, check-in/out, and real-time parent updates.
Seamless family app that allows parents to complete enrollment, make payments, and receive real-time child updates in one place
Lillio is a comprehensive childcare management platform tailored for daycare centers, preschools, and family child care homes, with robust enrollment tools including online registration forms, waitlists, e-signatures, and automated contracts. It integrates enrollment seamlessly with attendance tracking, billing, daily reporting, and parent communication via a dedicated family app. The software emphasizes compliance with state licensing requirements and provides real-time insights into enrollment trends and occupancy.
Pros
- Streamlined online enrollment with waitlists and e-signatures
- Strong parent engagement through mobile app and portal
- Integrated billing and payment processing reduces admin time
Cons
- Pricing can be steep for very small home-based providers
- Some customization options are limited
- Occasional reports of mobile app sync delays
Best For
Medium-sized childcare centers and preschools needing an all-in-one solution for enrollment, operations, and parent communication.
Pricing
Tiered subscription starting at $99/month for up to 25 children, plus $4-6 per additional child; custom enterprise plans available.
HiMama
specializedChild care app for digital enrollment, daily reporting, curriculum planning, and secure parent engagement.
The parent-facing mobile app that delivers instant, personalized daily sheets, photos, and milestone updates directly to families
HiMama is an all-in-one child care management software designed for early childhood centers, preschools, and family day homes, with robust enrollment tools including online forms, waitlist management, and automated onboarding workflows. It integrates enrollment seamlessly with daily operations like attendance tracking, lesson planning, and parent communication via a mobile app that shares real-time updates, photos, and reports. Beyond enrollment, it supports billing, staff scheduling, and developmental assessments, making it a comprehensive solution for childcare providers.
Pros
- Exceptional parent engagement through the mobile app with real-time photo/video sharing and daily reports
- Comprehensive enrollment suite with online forms, waitlists, and integration into full childcare operations
- Strong focus on early childhood best practices, including curriculum tools and assessments
Cons
- Pricing scales per child, which can become expensive for larger centers
- Steeper learning curve for non-digital native staff due to extensive features
- Limited advanced customization options for enrollment reporting and branding
Best For
Small to medium-sized childcare centers and preschools prioritizing parent communication alongside efficient enrollment and daily management.
Pricing
Custom quotes based on number of children; typically starts at $12-20 per child per month with a minimum commitment.
Jackrabbit Class
specializedClass management software with robust enrollment, registration, billing, and reporting for child care programs.
Advanced online registration with intelligent waitlisting, prerequisite enforcement, and seamless class rollovers
Jackrabbit Class is a cloud-based management platform tailored for class-based child care providers, preschools, and activity centers, handling online enrollment, class scheduling, attendance tracking, and automated billing. It includes a parent portal for seamless registrations, payments, and real-time updates on child progress. Administrators gain access to robust reporting, CRM tools, and multi-location support to streamline operations.
Pros
- Comprehensive enrollment tools with waitlists and auto-rollovers
- Integrated billing and family ledger for accurate payments
- Strong parent portal and communication features
Cons
- Steeper learning curve for new users
- Pricing can be high for very small centers
- Mobile app lacks some desktop functionalities
Best For
Medium-sized child care centers and preschools offering structured classes that need robust enrollment and billing integration.
Pricing
Starts at $115/month for Essentials plan (up to 100 students), with Standard ($225+) and Premium ($365+) tiers scaling by students and features; custom quotes available.
sandbox
specializedCloud-based child care management tool for enrollment, waitlists, invoicing, and compliance tracking.
The family self-service portal enabling parents to handle enrollment, payments, and scheduling independently
Sandbox (mysandbox.com) is a cloud-based child care management platform specializing in enrollment automation for preschools, daycares, and child care centers. It provides online application forms, waitlist management, e-signatures, and integrated payment processing to streamline family onboarding. The software also supports attendance tracking, billing, and parent communication portals, reducing administrative tasks for providers.
Pros
- Intuitive online enrollment with customizable forms and e-signatures
- Robust family portal for self-service payments and updates
- Seamless integration with billing and attendance tools
Cons
- Limited advanced reporting without add-ons
- Higher pricing tiers needed for larger centers
- Occasional mobile app sync delays
Best For
Ideal for small to mid-sized child care centers seeking user-friendly enrollment automation and strong parent engagement features.
Pricing
Starts at $99/month for up to 75 children, with per-child scaling and custom enterprise plans.
Kinderlime
specializedUser-friendly platform for child care enrollment, attendance, billing, and parent portal access.
Automated online enrollment with smart waitlisting and real-time availability notifications to parents
Kinderlime is an all-in-one child care management platform designed to streamline enrollment, billing, attendance tracking, and parent-staff communication for child care centers. It features an online parent portal for registrations, payments, and real-time updates, alongside tools for staff scheduling, compliance reporting, and child progress tracking. The software emphasizes automation to reduce administrative burdens, making it suitable for providers seeking efficiency in enrollment processes.
Pros
- Comprehensive enrollment and waitlist management with customizable forms
- Seamless billing and payment processing integration
- Strong mobile apps for parents and staff for on-the-go access
Cons
- Pricing can be steep for very small centers
- Initial setup and learning curve for advanced features
- Limited third-party integrations compared to competitors
Best For
Mid-sized child care centers needing robust enrollment tools and parent engagement without extensive custom development.
Pricing
Custom pricing based on center size and children enrolled; typically starts at $100-$200/month for small centers, with per-child fees.
SmartCare
specializedChild care software offering enrollment processing, family management, payments, and state reporting.
Automated waitlist management that prioritizes families based on preferences and notifies them instantly when spots open
SmartCare is a cloud-based childcare management software designed to streamline enrollment, billing, attendance tracking, and parent communication for child care centers and preschools. It features an online parent portal for self-service enrollment, waitlist management, and payments, reducing administrative workload. The platform also includes staff scheduling, compliance reporting, and mobile apps for real-time updates. As a Rank #8 solution, it offers solid core functionality but trails leaders in advanced customizations and integrations.
Pros
- Robust online enrollment and waitlist automation with e-signatures
- Integrated billing and payment processing with QuickBooks sync
- User-friendly mobile apps for parents and staff
Cons
- Pricing scales quickly for larger centers or add-ons
- Limited native integrations with other childcare tools
- Steeper learning curve for advanced reporting features
Best For
Mid-sized child care centers and preschools seeking an all-in-one platform for enrollment and daily operations.
Pricing
Starts at $65/month for up to 50 children; scales with center size and features (custom quotes required).
Childcare Manager
specializedAffordable solution for managing child enrollments, schedules, billing, and center operations.
Automated enrollment-to-billing workflow that generates contracts and invoices directly from signed applications
Childcare Manager is a cloud-based platform tailored for childcare centers, focusing on streamlining enrollment, billing, and daily operations. It offers online enrollment forms, waitlist management, parent portals for real-time updates, and automated billing tied directly to attendance. The software also includes staff scheduling, compliance reporting for state regulations, and mobile apps for parents and staff to enhance communication and accessibility.
Pros
- Robust online enrollment with customizable forms and waitlists
- Seamless integration of attendance tracking and automated billing
- Strong parent portal and mobile app for easy communication
Cons
- Pricing scales quickly with center size, less ideal for very small operations
- Some advanced reporting features require additional setup and training
- Limited third-party integrations compared to larger competitors
Best For
Medium-sized childcare centers seeking an all-in-one solution for enrollment and administrative tasks without needing extensive customizations.
Pricing
Starts at $129/month for up to 75 children, plus $1.50-$2.50 per additional child; custom enterprise plans available.
EZCare
specializedSimple child care management system with enrollment forms, invoicing, and basic attendance features.
Online enrollment wizard with customizable digital forms and e-signatures
EZCare is a cloud-based childcare management software that simplifies enrollment, billing, attendance tracking, and parent communication for childcare centers and preschools. It features an intuitive online parent portal for completing enrollment forms, making payments, and viewing child schedules. The platform also supports staff scheduling, automated reminders, and basic reporting, making it a solid choice for small to medium-sized facilities.
Pros
- Affordable per-child pricing model
- User-friendly parent portal for enrollments
- Integrated billing and payment processing
Cons
- Limited advanced reporting and analytics
- Customization options are basic
- Mobile app lacks some desktop features
Best For
Small to medium childcare centers needing a straightforward, cost-effective enrollment and management tool.
Pricing
Starts at $1.25 per child/month (minimum $129/month for up to 100 children), with tiered plans for larger centers.
Conclusion
The top 10 child care enrollment software tools deliver strong solutions, but Brightwheel leads as the top choice, excelling with its all-in-one platform for enrollment, billing, attendance, and parent communication. Procare Software and Lillio, though slightly behind, are excellent alternatives—Procare for comprehensive management, Lillio for modern parent engagement and real-time updates—catering to different operational needs. Together, these tools simplify center tasks and strengthen family relationships, proving essential for child care success.
Take the first step toward efficient enrollment management and try Brightwheel today; its user-friendly design and robust features make it a standout option for providers seeking to streamline operations.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison