Quick Overview
- 1#1: Brightwheel - All-in-one childcare management platform for attendance tracking, billing, daily updates, and parent communication.
- 2#2: Procare - Comprehensive childcare software handling enrollment, billing, attendance, and family engagement for centers and homes.
- 3#3: Lillio - Digital documentation and communication tool for childcare providers to share updates, photos, and reports with parents.
- 4#4: Jackrabbit Care - Childcare management system with scheduling, invoicing, attendance, and online registration features.
- 5#5: Tadpoles - Mobile-first app for childcare observations, attendance, messaging, and daily reports to engage families.
- 6#6: Famly - Cloud-based childcare platform for admin, finance, learning, and parent involvement in one app.
- 7#7: MomentPath - Customizable childcare software for tracking attendance, portfolios, billing, and compliance.
- 8#8: BrightDay - Childcare management solution with contactless check-in, payments, and real-time parent updates.
- 9#9: Storypark - Learning and family engagement platform for early childhood educators to document progress and communicate.
- 10#10: Educa - Online learning portfolio and communication tool tailored for early childhood education and childcare centers.
Tools were evaluated based on feature depth, user experience, reliability, and overall value, ensuring a balance of functionality and practicality for both center-based and home childcare settings.
Comparison Table
Explore our comparison table of childcare management software, featuring tools like Brightwheel, Procare, Lillio, Jackrabbit Care, Tadpoles, and more. This guide helps you compare key functionalities—from parent communication and billing to scheduling and reporting—enabling you to find the platform that best fits your center’s daily operations and needs. Whether you manage a small daycare or a large facility, learn how each tool stacks up to make informed choices.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brightwheel All-in-one childcare management platform for attendance tracking, billing, daily updates, and parent communication. | specialized | 9.6/10 | 9.7/10 | 9.8/10 | 9.4/10 |
| 2 | Procare Comprehensive childcare software handling enrollment, billing, attendance, and family engagement for centers and homes. | enterprise | 9.2/10 | 9.5/10 | 8.1/10 | 8.7/10 |
| 3 | Lillio Digital documentation and communication tool for childcare providers to share updates, photos, and reports with parents. | specialized | 8.7/10 | 9.0/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.4/10 |
| 4 | Jackrabbit Care Childcare management system with scheduling, invoicing, attendance, and online registration features. | specialized | 8.4/10 | 8.7/10 | 8.3/10 | 8.1/10 |
| 5 | Tadpoles Mobile-first app for childcare observations, attendance, messaging, and daily reports to engage families. | specialized | 8.6/10 | 8.4/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.3/10 |
| 6 | Famly Cloud-based childcare platform for admin, finance, learning, and parent involvement in one app. | specialized | 8.7/10 | 8.5/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 7 | MomentPath Customizable childcare software for tracking attendance, portfolios, billing, and compliance. | specialized | 8.4/10 | 8.6/10 | 8.8/10 | 8.1/10 |
| 8 | BrightDay Childcare management solution with contactless check-in, payments, and real-time parent updates. | specialized | 8.1/10 | 8.0/10 | 8.5/10 | 7.7/10 |
| 9 | Storypark Learning and family engagement platform for early childhood educators to document progress and communicate. | specialized | 8.1/10 | 7.6/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 10 | Educa Online learning portfolio and communication tool tailored for early childhood education and childcare centers. | specialized | 7.2/10 | 7.5/10 | 8.5/10 | 7.0/10 |
All-in-one childcare management platform for attendance tracking, billing, daily updates, and parent communication.
Comprehensive childcare software handling enrollment, billing, attendance, and family engagement for centers and homes.
Digital documentation and communication tool for childcare providers to share updates, photos, and reports with parents.
Childcare management system with scheduling, invoicing, attendance, and online registration features.
Mobile-first app for childcare observations, attendance, messaging, and daily reports to engage families.
Cloud-based childcare platform for admin, finance, learning, and parent involvement in one app.
Customizable childcare software for tracking attendance, portfolios, billing, and compliance.
Childcare management solution with contactless check-in, payments, and real-time parent updates.
Learning and family engagement platform for early childhood educators to document progress and communicate.
Online learning portfolio and communication tool tailored for early childhood education and childcare centers.
Brightwheel
specializedAll-in-one childcare management platform for attendance tracking, billing, daily updates, and parent communication.
The dedicated parent app for instant daily updates, two-way messaging, and photo albums, fostering unprecedented family involvement.
Brightwheel is an all-in-one childcare management platform tailored for daycare centers, preschools, and after-school programs, offering tools for attendance tracking, billing, scheduling, and staff management. It excels in parent engagement through a user-friendly mobile app that enables real-time photo/video sharing, daily reports, messaging, and secure payments. The software also supports lesson planning, child assessments, and compliance reporting to streamline operations and enhance child development outcomes.
Pros
- Intuitive mobile app for parents and staff with seamless communication
- Comprehensive billing and payment processing with QuickBooks integration
- Robust attendance and check-in/out system with touchless options
Cons
- Higher pricing tiers needed for advanced reporting and unlimited storage
- Occasional sync delays between web and mobile apps
- Limited customization for very large enterprise centers
Best For
Small to medium-sized childcare providers seeking a mobile-first solution with strong parent-teacher communication and administrative automation.
Pricing
Free Essential plan for up to 30 children; paid Combo ($15/child/month) and Pro ($25/child/month) plans billed annually, with add-ons for premium support.
Procare
enterpriseComprehensive childcare software handling enrollment, billing, attendance, and family engagement for centers and homes.
Procare Billing Engine, a specialized tool for automating intricate childcare billing including prorated tuition, sibling discounts, and government subsidies
Procare Software is a robust childcare management platform tailored for daycare centers, preschools, and before/after-school programs, offering tools for enrollment, attendance tracking, billing, and staff scheduling. It excels in financial management with automated invoicing, payment processing, and subsidy handling, while also providing parent portals for real-time updates and communication. The system supports regulatory compliance through customizable reports and integrates with accounting software for seamless operations.
Pros
- Powerful childcare-specific billing engine handles complex rates, subsidies, and multi-child families effortlessly
- Comprehensive compliance reporting for state licensing and CACFP
- Strong parent engagement tools including mobile app and online payments
Cons
- User interface feels dated compared to modern competitors
- Steep learning curve for advanced features and setup
- Pricing can be higher for smaller centers without scaling benefits
Best For
Medium to large childcare centers prioritizing financial accuracy, compliance, and integrated billing over cutting-edge UI.
Pricing
Custom quote-based pricing starting at ~$137/month for basic plans, scaling with number of children (~$1-2/child/month) and add-on modules; includes setup fees.
Lillio
specializedDigital documentation and communication tool for childcare providers to share updates, photos, and reports with parents.
Interactive digital child portfolios that allow seamless sharing of photos, videos, and observations with parents
Lillio is a comprehensive childcare management software designed for daycare centers, preschools, and home-based providers, offering tools for child enrollment, daily attendance tracking, billing, and staff scheduling. It excels in parent communication via a dedicated mobile app that shares real-time updates, photos, and developmental reports. The platform also supports curriculum planning, compliance reporting, and customizable portfolios to document child progress, making it a robust solution for operational efficiency.
Pros
- Intuitive mobile app for parents and staff with real-time updates
- Strong compliance and reporting tools for licensing requirements
- Comprehensive child portfolios for tracking developmental milestones
Cons
- Pricing scales with number of children, which can be costly for large centers
- Some advanced customization requires higher-tier plans
- Occasional glitches in billing integrations reported by users
Best For
Small to medium-sized childcare centers and preschools needing strong parent engagement and daily reporting tools.
Pricing
Custom pricing starting at $12 per child per month, with tiered plans (Essentials, Premium, Enterprise) and free trial available.
Jackrabbit Care
specializedChildcare management system with scheduling, invoicing, attendance, and online registration features.
Integrated SkillTrac system for tracking and reporting child development milestones and daily activities
Jackrabbit Care is a cloud-based childcare management software designed specifically for daycare centers, preschools, and before/after-school programs. It handles key functions like online enrollment, automated billing and payments, daily attendance tracking, staff scheduling, and parent communication via a dedicated portal. The platform also provides customizable reporting, child progress tracking, and mobile apps for admins, staff, and parents to streamline operations.
Pros
- Comprehensive parent portal for real-time updates on attendance, payments, and child activities
- Robust billing and invoicing with integrated online payments
- Strong reporting and analytics tools for operational insights
Cons
- Pricing can be steep for very small centers with few children
- Limited advanced customization options compared to enterprise competitors
- Steeper learning curve for non-tech-savvy staff initially
Best For
Mid-sized childcare centers and preschools seeking an all-in-one platform with excellent parent engagement and billing automation.
Pricing
Starts at $65/month for up to 50 children, scaling to $200+/month for larger programs; custom quotes for multi-site or enterprise needs.
Tadpoles
specializedMobile-first app for childcare observations, attendance, messaging, and daily reports to engage families.
Automated digital daily sheets delivered instantly to parents' phones with photos, meals, naps, and activities
Tadpoles is a user-friendly childcare management software tailored for daycare centers and preschools, focusing on streamlining daily operations like attendance tracking, parent-teacher communication, and sharing child updates. It provides a dedicated mobile app for parents to receive real-time photos, videos, daily reports, and developmental milestones. The platform also supports billing, staff scheduling, and basic compliance tools to help centers run efficiently.
Pros
- Excellent parent engagement tools with real-time photo and report sharing
- Intuitive mobile apps for both parents and staff
- Simple setup and daily workflow automation
Cons
- Limited advanced reporting and analytics compared to enterprise solutions
- Customization options are somewhat basic
- Billing integration lacks depth for complex financial needs
Best For
Small to medium-sized daycare centers and preschools prioritizing easy parent communication and daily updates over advanced administrative features.
Pricing
Starts at $65/month for up to 50 children; scales with $1.25-$2.50 per additional child/month, plus setup fees.
Famly
specializedCloud-based childcare platform for admin, finance, learning, and parent involvement in one app.
The award-winning parent app for seamless, real-time family communication and activity sharing
Famly is a comprehensive childcare management platform tailored for nurseries, preschools, and daycare centers, offering tools for attendance tracking, billing, staff scheduling, and child development documentation. It excels in parent engagement via a user-friendly mobile app that enables real-time updates, photo sharing, and communication between staff and families. The software also supports compliance reporting and learning journals to track children's progress, making it a streamlined solution for daily operations.
Pros
- Intuitive mobile app for parents with real-time updates and communication
- Robust attendance, billing, and invoicing automation
- Strong focus on child development tracking and learning journals
Cons
- Pricing can be steep for very small providers
- Limited advanced reporting and customization options
- Some integrations with third-party tools are basic
Best For
Small to medium-sized childcare centers prioritizing parent engagement and simple daily management.
Pricing
Starts at around $5-8 per child per month (billed annually), with tiered plans and custom quotes for larger centers; free trial available.
MomentPath
specializedCustomizable childcare software for tracking attendance, portfolios, billing, and compliance.
Moments app for real-time sharing of personalized child updates, photos, and videos with parents
MomentPath is a cloud-based childcare management software tailored for daycare centers, preschools, and family childcare homes, offering tools for daily attendance tracking, parent communication, curriculum planning, staff scheduling, billing, and compliance reporting. It features a mobile app for real-time updates, touchless check-in via PathPass, and customizable lesson plans to enhance child development documentation. The platform emphasizes capturing and sharing 'moments' like photos and videos with families to boost engagement and transparency.
Pros
- Strong parent engagement with instant photo/video sharing and daily reports
- Touchless attendance and robust compliance tools for licensing
- Intuitive mobile app and customizable curriculum builder
Cons
- Pricing scales quickly for larger centers
- Limited integrations with external accounting or payroll systems
- Occasional reports of customer support delays during peak times
Best For
Small to medium childcare providers prioritizing parent communication and daily operational efficiency over enterprise-scale customization.
Pricing
Starts at $99/month for up to 50 children, with per-child pricing around $4-8/month for larger groups; custom quotes available.
BrightDay
specializedChildcare management solution with contactless check-in, payments, and real-time parent updates.
Integrated family enrollment portal that allows self-service sign-ups, payments, and document uploads
BrightDay is a cloud-based childcare management software tailored for daycare centers, preschools, and after-school programs. It streamlines key operations like child enrollment, daily attendance tracking, automated tuition billing, and staff scheduling. The platform features a robust parent portal and mobile app for real-time updates, communication, and payments, while also supporting compliance reporting and lesson planning.
Pros
- User-friendly interface with intuitive mobile apps for parents and staff
- Automated billing and payment integration reduces administrative workload
- Strong parent engagement tools including real-time updates and photo sharing
Cons
- Limited advanced customization for larger centers
- Reporting features are functional but lack depth compared to top competitors
- Pricing can feel steep for very small operations
Best For
Small to medium-sized childcare centers seeking an easy-to-use platform with excellent parent communication.
Pricing
Starts at $129/month for up to 50 children, with tiered plans scaling to $299+/month based on enrollment size; includes a free trial.
Storypark
specializedLearning and family engagement platform for early childhood educators to document progress and communicate.
Interactive Family Wall allowing parents to upload their own photos, videos, and comments directly into children's learning portfolios
Storypark is a cloud-based platform tailored for early childhood education and childcare centers, enabling educators to capture, document, and share children's learning moments through photos, videos, observations, and developmental notes. It fosters strong parent-educator communication with real-time updates, interactive family walls, and shareable digital portfolios that support curriculum planning and transitions to school. While strong in learning documentation, it offers limited full-spectrum childcare management features like billing or rostering.
Pros
- Intuitive mobile app for quick documentation and sharing
- Robust parent engagement with two-way communication and contributions
- Comprehensive digital portfolios for tracking child progress over time
Cons
- Lacks core admin tools like attendance tracking, billing, or staff scheduling
- Limited integrations with broader childcare management systems
- Pricing scales with child numbers, which can add up for larger centers
Best For
Small to medium early childhood centers prioritizing learning documentation and family involvement over comprehensive administrative management.
Pricing
Custom pricing based on center size and children; typically $6-12 per child/month with tiered plans including basic documentation to premium analytics.
Educa
specializedOnline learning portfolio and communication tool tailored for early childhood education and childcare centers.
Interactive digital learning portfolios that compile observations, photos, and videos into shareable, child-led stories
Educa is a cloud-based platform tailored for early childhood education centers, enabling teachers to create digital learning portfolios, document observations, and share child progress with parents via a mobile app. It supports pedagogical documentation aligned with curricula like Te Whāriki, including learning stories, assessments, and developmental tracking. While it offers basic attendance and reporting tools, it focuses more on child-centered learning and family engagement than comprehensive administrative management.
Pros
- Intuitive interface for creating engaging learning stories and portfolios
- Strong parent communication via dedicated family app
- Mobile accessibility for teachers and families on the go
Cons
- Lacks robust billing, invoicing, and staff scheduling features
- Limited customization for non-standard curricula outside NZ/AU
- Reporting is basic compared to full-suite CMS competitors
Best For
Small to medium preschools and kindergartens prioritizing pedagogical documentation and parent partnerships over administrative automation.
Pricing
Per-child subscription model starting at around $5-8 per child per month, with volume discounts and custom enterprise pricing available.
Conclusion
The reviewed childcare management tools demonstrate diverse strengths in streamlining operations—with features like attendance tracking, billing, and parent communication—tailored to meet varied needs. Brightwheel emerges as the top choice for its all-in-one functionality, while Procare and Lillio stand out as strong alternatives, offering comprehensive center solutions and user-friendly digital documentation, ensuring the best fit for different childcare setups.
Explore Brightwheel to simplify your childcare management; its seamless integration of essential tools will enhance efficiency and keep families connected.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison