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Childcare Family Services

Top 10 Best Child Care Registration Software of 2026

Compare top 10 best child care registration software to simplify enrollment. Find the right solution for your center now.

Gitnux Team

Feb 11, 2026

10 tools comparedExpert reviewed
Independent evaluation · Unbiased commentary · Updated regularly
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Child care registration software is essential for modern early education operations, streamlining processes, boosting parent engagement, and ensuring compliance—making the right tool a critical investment. With a diverse range of solutions from all-in-one platforms to specialized enterprise tools, this curated list simplifies identifying the best fit for any childcare setting.

Quick Overview

  1. 1#1: Procare Software - Comprehensive childcare management platform with advanced online registration, enrollment tracking, billing, and family management features.
  2. 2#2: Brightwheel - Mobile-first all-in-one childcare app offering seamless online registration, payments, attendance, and parent communication tools.
  3. 3#3: Lillio - Streamlined childcare software for handling registrations, daily sheets, invoicing, and staff scheduling in one platform.
  4. 4#4: Jackrabbit Care - Robust class and childcare management system with powerful online registration, waitlists, and payment processing capabilities.
  5. 5#5: HiMama - Early learning platform focused on parent engagement, child documentation, and simple enrollment registration features.
  6. 6#6: Tadpoles - User-friendly childcare app for secure check-in/out, daily reports, and basic family registration management.
  7. 7#7: Childcare Manager - Cloud-based solution for childcare centers providing registration forms, attendance tracking, and automated billing.
  8. 8#8: Childcare Sage - Affordable online childcare management with easy enrollment portals, parent updates, and compliance reporting.
  9. 9#9: ChildPlus Software - Enterprise-grade software for Head Start programs featuring child registration, eligibility tracking, and family services.
  10. 10#10: MomentPath - Preschool and childcare platform with curriculum tools, family portals, and enrollment registration capabilities.

We selected and ranked these tools by evaluating feature depth (e.g., registration customization, billing, and compliance tools), user experience (intuitive design, mobile accessibility), reliability, and value, ensuring each entry caters to diverse needs across preschools, Head Start programs, and other childcare settings.

Comparison Table

Navigating child care registration software can streamline operations, and this comparison table breaks down top tools like Procare Software, Brightwheel, Lillio, Jackrabbit Care, HiMama, and others to help providers identify the best fit for their needs. Readers will learn about key features, pricing structures, user-friendliness, and integration capabilities, ensuring they make informed decisions tailored to their center’s unique requirements.

Comprehensive childcare management platform with advanced online registration, enrollment tracking, billing, and family management features.

Features
9.8/10
Ease
8.9/10
Value
9.4/10

Mobile-first all-in-one childcare app offering seamless online registration, payments, attendance, and parent communication tools.

Features
9.5/10
Ease
9.3/10
Value
8.7/10
3Lillio logo8.6/10

Streamlined childcare software for handling registrations, daily sheets, invoicing, and staff scheduling in one platform.

Features
8.9/10
Ease
8.7/10
Value
8.2/10

Robust class and childcare management system with powerful online registration, waitlists, and payment processing capabilities.

Features
8.9/10
Ease
9.2/10
Value
8.3/10
5HiMama logo8.3/10

Early learning platform focused on parent engagement, child documentation, and simple enrollment registration features.

Features
8.5/10
Ease
9.1/10
Value
7.8/10
6Tadpoles logo7.8/10

User-friendly childcare app for secure check-in/out, daily reports, and basic family registration management.

Features
7.5/10
Ease
8.2/10
Value
7.6/10

Cloud-based solution for childcare centers providing registration forms, attendance tracking, and automated billing.

Features
8.4/10
Ease
7.7/10
Value
8.0/10

Affordable online childcare management with easy enrollment portals, parent updates, and compliance reporting.

Features
8.4/10
Ease
8.7/10
Value
8.0/10

Enterprise-grade software for Head Start programs featuring child registration, eligibility tracking, and family services.

Features
9.0/10
Ease
6.8/10
Value
7.5/10
10MomentPath logo7.6/10

Preschool and childcare platform with curriculum tools, family portals, and enrollment registration capabilities.

Features
7.2/10
Ease
8.4/10
Value
7.5/10
1
Procare Software logo

Procare Software

specialized

Comprehensive childcare management platform with advanced online registration, enrollment tracking, billing, and family management features.

Overall Rating9.7/10
Features
9.8/10
Ease of Use
8.9/10
Value
9.4/10
Standout Feature

Seamless integration of child registration data with automated billing and payment collection, reducing errors and ensuring timely revenue.

Procare Software is a leading all-in-one child care management platform that handles enrollment, registration, billing, attendance tracking, and family management for child care providers. It streamlines daily operations with features like staff scheduling, parent portals, compliance reporting, and automated invoicing. Designed specifically for child care centers, it supports scalability from small family homes to large multi-site operations.

Pros

  • Comprehensive child registration and enrollment tools with customizable forms
  • Robust billing and payment processing integrated with attendance data
  • Excellent reporting and analytics for compliance and business insights

Cons

  • Initial setup and learning curve can be steep for new users
  • Pricing scales quickly for larger centers or additional modules
  • Mobile app functionality is solid but lacks some desktop features

Best For

Medium to large child care centers and preschools needing a scalable, full-featured registration and management solution.

Pricing

Starts at $137/month for up to 50 children; scales with child count and add-ons, with custom enterprise pricing available.

Visit Procare Softwareprocaresoftware.com
2
Brightwheel logo

Brightwheel

specialized

Mobile-first all-in-one childcare app offering seamless online registration, payments, attendance, and parent communication tools.

Overall Rating9.2/10
Features
9.5/10
Ease of Use
9.3/10
Value
8.7/10
Standout Feature

Real-time parent app with photo/video sharing, messaging, and daily reports directly tied to registration data

Brightwheel is a comprehensive child care management platform that excels in child registration, enrollment, and family management for daycares, preschools, and early education centers. It provides online registration forms, waitlist management, automated billing tied to attendance, and seamless parent portals for real-time updates. Beyond registration, it integrates daily operations like check-in/out, messaging, and reporting to streamline child care workflows.

Pros

  • Highly intuitive mobile app for parents and staff
  • Robust online registration and enrollment tools with waitlists
  • Strong integration of payments and attendance tracking

Cons

  • Pricing scales per enrolled child, which can get expensive for larger centers
  • Some advanced reporting features require premium tiers
  • Occasional glitches in the app during high usage periods

Best For

Small to medium-sized child care centers and preschools needing an all-in-one mobile-first solution for registration and parent engagement.

Pricing

Free Essential plan for basics; Plus at $15.95/child/month and Premium at $24.95/child/month (billed annually).

Visit Brightwheelmybrightwheel.com
3
Lillio logo

Lillio

specialized

Streamlined childcare software for handling registrations, daily sheets, invoicing, and staff scheduling in one platform.

Overall Rating8.6/10
Features
8.9/10
Ease of Use
8.7/10
Value
8.2/10
Standout Feature

Customizable online enrollment portals with built-in e-signatures and automated approval workflows

Lillio is a comprehensive childcare management software designed to simplify child registration, enrollment, attendance tracking, and billing for daycare centers and preschools. It features customizable online forms for parent registrations, automated waitlist management, secure payment processing, and real-time updates via a parent portal. The platform also integrates daily reporting, staff scheduling, and compliance tools to support efficient center operations.

Pros

  • Robust online registration with e-signatures and waitlist automation
  • Seamless integration of billing and attendance tracking
  • Mobile app for parents and staff enhancing communication

Cons

  • Pricing scales quickly for larger centers
  • Some advanced reporting requires higher tiers
  • Occasional sync issues between web and mobile

Best For

Small to medium-sized childcare centers needing an all-in-one solution for streamlined registration and parent engagement.

Pricing

Starts at $99/month for up to 25 children; additional children ~$4/child/month, with custom enterprise plans available.

Visit Lilliolillio.com
4
Jackrabbit Care logo

Jackrabbit Care

specialized

Robust class and childcare management system with powerful online registration, waitlists, and payment processing capabilities.

Overall Rating8.7/10
Features
8.9/10
Ease of Use
9.2/10
Value
8.3/10
Standout Feature

Integrated family portal with waitlist management and real-time class availability for seamless parent self-service

Jackrabbit Care is a cloud-based management software tailored for child care centers, daycare providers, and enrichment programs like dance studios and camps. It handles online registration, automated billing, class scheduling, attendance tracking, and family communications through a user-friendly dashboard and parent portal. The platform also offers reporting tools, payment processing, and mobile check-in options to streamline daily operations and improve parent engagement.

Pros

  • Intuitive interface with minimal training required for staff
  • Robust online registration and automated billing with QuickBooks integration
  • Excellent parent portal for self-service enrollment and payments

Cons

  • Pricing scales quickly with student numbers, less ideal for very large centers
  • Some advanced reporting requires custom setup or add-ons
  • Occasional performance lags during peak usage times

Best For

Small to mid-sized child care centers and enrichment programs needing an all-in-one tool for registration, scheduling, and billing.

Pricing

Starts at $55/month for up to 50 students (Lite plan), with higher tiers like Standard ($115/month) and Premier ($215/month); additional fees of $4-7 per student/month.

Visit Jackrabbit Carejackrabbitcare.com
5
HiMama logo

HiMama

specialized

Early learning platform focused on parent engagement, child documentation, and simple enrollment registration features.

Overall Rating8.3/10
Features
8.5/10
Ease of Use
9.1/10
Value
7.8/10
Standout Feature

HiMama Family App for instant parent access to registration, daily reports, and secure photo/video sharing

HiMama is an all-in-one child care management platform with strong registration capabilities, allowing centers to handle online enrollment, family onboarding, digital forms, and tuition payments through a dedicated parent portal. It streamlines waitlists, attendance tracking, and compliance documentation alongside registration, making it suitable for daycares and preschools. The software emphasizes parent-teacher communication with real-time updates and photo sharing to enhance family engagement from signup through daily operations.

Pros

  • Intuitive parent portal for seamless online registration and payments
  • Excellent mobile app for real-time attendance and family communication
  • Built-in compliance tools and customizable forms for enrollment

Cons

  • Pricing scales quickly for larger centers
  • Limited advanced reporting for registration analytics
  • Some features require add-ons for full customization

Best For

Small to mid-sized child care centers seeking user-friendly registration integrated with daily parent engagement tools.

Pricing

Custom quotes starting at $129/month base for up to 50 children, plus $3-5 per additional child; free trial available.

Visit HiMamahimama.com
6
Tadpoles logo

Tadpoles

specialized

User-friendly childcare app for secure check-in/out, daily reports, and basic family registration management.

Overall Rating7.8/10
Features
7.5/10
Ease of Use
8.2/10
Value
7.6/10
Standout Feature

The robust parent mobile app for instant daily reports, photos, and two-way messaging

Tadpoles is a childcare management software platform tailored for preschools and daycare centers, offering tools for daily parent-teacher communication, attendance tracking, and child progress documentation. It includes online registration and enrollment features, allowing families to sign up, complete forms, and manage waitlists digitally. The system also supports billing, lesson planning, and compliance reporting to streamline administrative tasks for childcare providers.

Pros

  • Intuitive mobile app for real-time parent updates and photo sharing
  • Streamlined attendance and check-in/out with touchless options
  • Affordable pricing scalable for small to medium centers

Cons

  • Registration workflows lack advanced customization
  • Reporting tools are basic compared to enterprise solutions
  • Limited integrations with accounting or payment gateways

Best For

Small to medium childcare centers prioritizing parent engagement and simple registration over complex enterprise features.

Pricing

Tiered pricing starting at $5 per child per month (minimum 20 children), with no setup fees and add-ons for premium features.

Visit Tadpoleshellotadpoles.com
7
Childcare Manager logo

Childcare Manager

specialized

Cloud-based solution for childcare centers providing registration forms, attendance tracking, and automated billing.

Overall Rating8.1/10
Features
8.4/10
Ease of Use
7.7/10
Value
8.0/10
Standout Feature

Automated enrollment funnels with waitlist prioritization and seamless transition to active rosters

Childcare Manager is a comprehensive cloud-based software tailored for childcare centers, focusing on streamlining child registration, enrollment, and family management processes. It provides tools for online registrations, waitlist management, automated billing, and attendance tracking, alongside a parent portal for real-time updates and payments. The platform supports compliance reporting and staff scheduling, making it suitable for small to mid-sized providers seeking an all-in-one solution.

Pros

  • Robust online registration and waitlist automation
  • Integrated billing with multiple payment options
  • Strong reporting for licensing and business insights

Cons

  • Dated user interface requiring some adaptation
  • Limited customization in parent portal
  • Setup process can be time-intensive for new users

Best For

Small to medium childcare centers needing reliable registration and billing without advanced customization.

Pricing

Starts at $65/month for up to 50 children, scales to $129+/month for larger centers; custom quotes available.

Visit Childcare Managerchildcaremanager.com
8
Childcare Sage logo

Childcare Sage

specialized

Affordable online childcare management with easy enrollment portals, parent updates, and compliance reporting.

Overall Rating8.2/10
Features
8.4/10
Ease of Use
8.7/10
Value
8.0/10
Standout Feature

Smart waitlist automation that auto-enrolls children and notifies parents based on custom priority rules

Childcare Sage is a cloud-based childcare management software focused on simplifying online registration, enrollment, waitlist management, and billing for childcare centers. It provides a parent portal for self-service registrations, automated payment processing via Stripe, and real-time attendance tracking to help providers manage capacity efficiently. The platform emphasizes ease of setup and parent communication through notifications and updates.

Pros

  • Intuitive parent portal for quick registrations
  • Automated billing and payment reminders
  • Strong waitlist management with priority settings

Cons

  • Limited advanced reporting and analytics
  • No native mobile app for on-the-go access
  • Customization options feel basic for larger centers

Best For

Small to medium childcare centers needing a straightforward, affordable tool for online registrations and basic billing automation.

Pricing

Starts at $29/month for up to 50 children, scaling to $99+/month for larger enrollments; free trial available.

Visit Childcare Sagechildcaresage.com
9
ChildPlus Software logo

ChildPlus Software

enterprise

Enterprise-grade software for Head Start programs featuring child registration, eligibility tracking, and family services.

Overall Rating8.1/10
Features
9.0/10
Ease of Use
6.8/10
Value
7.5/10
Standout Feature

Automated PIR and federal reporting generation for instant regulatory compliance

ChildPlus Software is a comprehensive management platform tailored for Head Start, Early Head Start, and other federally funded early childhood programs. It handles child enrollment and registration, attendance tracking, family services, health and nutrition monitoring, and compliance reporting. The software ensures seamless data management to meet stringent federal regulations like the Program Information Report (PIR).

Pros

  • Exceptional compliance tools for Head Start regulations
  • Integrated modules for enrollment, attendance, and family engagement
  • Robust reporting and data analytics for program oversight

Cons

  • Steep learning curve and dated user interface
  • High implementation and ongoing costs
  • Less flexible for non-Head Start child care centers

Best For

Head Start and Early Head Start programs needing automated federal compliance and comprehensive child tracking.

Pricing

Custom quote-based pricing, typically $5-15 per child/month with annual contracts and setup fees.

Visit ChildPlus Softwarechildplussoftware.com
10
MomentPath logo

MomentPath

specialized

Preschool and childcare platform with curriculum tools, family portals, and enrollment registration capabilities.

Overall Rating7.6/10
Features
7.2/10
Ease of Use
8.4/10
Value
7.5/10
Standout Feature

Interactive parent app for instant sharing of personalized learning stories and observations

MomentPath is a child care platform focused on digital documentation, family engagement, and child portfolios for early learning programs. It enables educators to capture observations, share learning moments with parents through a mobile app, and conduct developmental assessments. While it includes basic enrollment and roster management tools, its core strength is in ongoing child progress tracking rather than advanced registration workflows.

Pros

  • Intuitive parent app for real-time engagement
  • Robust tools for child portfolios and assessments
  • Strong emphasis on early childhood learning standards

Cons

  • Limited advanced registration and payment processing
  • Reporting capabilities are basic for admin needs
  • Pricing scales quickly with center size

Best For

Small to mid-sized child care centers prioritizing family communication and documentation over comprehensive enrollment management.

Pricing

Subscription-based, starting at about $5 per child/month with tiered plans (Starter, Growth, Enterprise) for added features.

Visit MomentPathmomentpath.com

Conclusion

After reviewing 10 leading child care registration software options, Procare Software is the top choice, boasting a comprehensive set of registration, billing, and family management tools. Brightwheel and Lillio follow as strong alternatives, with Brightwheel excelling in mobile convenience and Lillio offering streamlined, all-in-one functionality. Each tool caters to unique needs, but Procare’s integration of key features makes it the standout pick for most.

Procare Software logo
Our Top Pick
Procare Software

Begin managing your child care operations efficiently—explore Procare Software today to unlock its advanced registration and management capabilities, designed to simplify your daily workflows and enhance family engagement.