Quick Overview
- 1#1: Brightwheel - All-in-one mobile-first childcare management software for attendance tracking, billing, parent communication, and lesson planning.
- 2#2: Procare - Comprehensive childcare management solution offering child tracking, family billing, staff scheduling, and regulatory reporting.
- 3#3: HiMama - Childcare app focused on daily reporting, parent engagement, and curriculum tools to document child development.
- 4#4: Lillio - Affordable childcare software for attendance, invoicing, messaging, and compliance in early education centers.
- 5#5: Jackrabbit Care - Cloud-based childcare management for enrollment, payments, attendance, and parent portals in daycare settings.
- 6#6: Childcare Manager - User-friendly software for managing childcare operations including rosters, billing, and staff coordination.
- 7#7: EZCare - Simple childcare management tool with scheduling, invoicing, child profiles, and family communication features.
- 8#8: Tadpoles - Digital childcare platform specializing in daily sheets, photos, videos, and parent updates for providers.
- 9#9: SmartCare - Childcare software emphasizing automated billing, attendance tracking, and multi-center management capabilities.
- 10#10: ChildPlus - Enterprise childcare management system tailored for Head Start programs with case management and reporting.
Tools were selected based on key features, including attendance tracking, billing, and parent engagement, alongside usability, reliability, and value, ensuring the list balances performance and practicality for different operational needs
Comparison Table
Managing childcare operations efficiently requires the right software, and this table compares top tools like Brightwheel, Procare, HiMama, Lillio, Jackrabbit Care, and more. It outlines key features such as communication tools, attendance tracking, and billing capabilities to help readers identify the best fit for their center. By reviewing these details side-by-side, readers can streamline their selection and find software aligned with their operations needs.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brightwheel All-in-one mobile-first childcare management software for attendance tracking, billing, parent communication, and lesson planning. | specialized | 9.6/10 | 9.8/10 | 9.5/10 | 9.2/10 |
| 2 | Procare Comprehensive childcare management solution offering child tracking, family billing, staff scheduling, and regulatory reporting. | specialized | 9.1/10 | 9.4/10 | 8.6/10 | 8.9/10 |
| 3 | HiMama Childcare app focused on daily reporting, parent engagement, and curriculum tools to document child development. | specialized | 8.8/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.5/10 | 8.3/10 |
| 4 | Lillio Affordable childcare software for attendance, invoicing, messaging, and compliance in early education centers. | specialized | 8.7/10 | 9.0/10 | 8.5/10 | 8.2/10 |
| 5 | Jackrabbit Care Cloud-based childcare management for enrollment, payments, attendance, and parent portals in daycare settings. | specialized | 8.3/10 | 8.6/10 | 8.1/10 | 7.9/10 |
| 6 | Childcare Manager User-friendly software for managing childcare operations including rosters, billing, and staff coordination. | specialized | 7.8/10 | 8.2/10 | 7.5/10 | 7.6/10 |
| 7 | EZCare Simple childcare management tool with scheduling, invoicing, child profiles, and family communication features. | specialized | 7.6/10 | 7.8/10 | 7.7/10 | 7.4/10 |
| 8 | Tadpoles Digital childcare platform specializing in daily sheets, photos, videos, and parent updates for providers. | specialized | 8.3/10 | 8.5/10 | 8.8/10 | 7.9/10 |
| 9 | SmartCare Childcare software emphasizing automated billing, attendance tracking, and multi-center management capabilities. | specialized | 8.4/10 | 8.6/10 | 8.8/10 | 7.9/10 |
| 10 | ChildPlus Enterprise childcare management system tailored for Head Start programs with case management and reporting. | enterprise | 7.8/10 | 8.5/10 | 6.8/10 | 7.2/10 |
All-in-one mobile-first childcare management software for attendance tracking, billing, parent communication, and lesson planning.
Comprehensive childcare management solution offering child tracking, family billing, staff scheduling, and regulatory reporting.
Childcare app focused on daily reporting, parent engagement, and curriculum tools to document child development.
Affordable childcare software for attendance, invoicing, messaging, and compliance in early education centers.
Cloud-based childcare management for enrollment, payments, attendance, and parent portals in daycare settings.
User-friendly software for managing childcare operations including rosters, billing, and staff coordination.
Simple childcare management tool with scheduling, invoicing, child profiles, and family communication features.
Digital childcare platform specializing in daily sheets, photos, videos, and parent updates for providers.
Childcare software emphasizing automated billing, attendance tracking, and multi-center management capabilities.
Enterprise childcare management system tailored for Head Start programs with case management and reporting.
Brightwheel
specializedAll-in-one mobile-first childcare management software for attendance tracking, billing, parent communication, and lesson planning.
Integrated touchless attendance and real-time daily sheets shared instantly with parents via the app
Brightwheel is a comprehensive all-in-one childcare management platform tailored for daycare centers, preschools, and family child care providers. It streamlines daily operations with features like touchless check-in/out, automated billing and payments, daily reports, lesson planning, and staff scheduling. The intuitive mobile app facilitates real-time parent communication through messaging, photo/video sharing, and progress updates, enhancing family engagement.
Pros
- All-in-one solution covering attendance, billing, communication, and curriculum
- Highly rated mobile app for parents and staff with touchless check-in
- Robust parent engagement tools including real-time updates and secure messaging
Cons
- Higher pricing tiers can be costly for larger centers
- Some advanced features require premium plans
- Occasional app glitches reported during peak usage
Best For
Childcare centers and preschools seeking a mobile-first platform for streamlined operations and strong parent involvement.
Pricing
Essentials (free for basics); Plus ($12/child/month billed annually); Premium (custom enterprise pricing).
Procare
specializedComprehensive childcare management solution offering child tracking, family billing, staff scheduling, and regulatory reporting.
Seamless family billing system that automates tuition calculations, late fees, and multi-child discounts with QuickBooks integration
Procare is a comprehensive childcare management software tailored for daycare centers, preschools, and before/after-school programs, handling everything from child enrollment and attendance tracking to automated billing and staff scheduling. It features a parent portal and mobile app for real-time updates, payments, and communication, while providing detailed reporting and accounting tools to ensure compliance and operational efficiency. With integrations for online payments and QuickBooks, Procare centralizes administrative tasks to save time and reduce errors.
Pros
- Powerful integrated billing and accounting with automated invoicing and payment processing
- Extensive reporting and compliance tools for regulatory requirements
- User-friendly parent app for seamless communication and check-ins
Cons
- Higher pricing can be a barrier for very small centers
- Initial setup and learning curve for advanced features
- Limited free trial duration and customization options
Best For
Mid-sized childcare centers and preschools seeking robust financial management and parent engagement tools.
Pricing
Starts at $149/month for up to 100 children (Essentials plan), with tiered pricing up to $399+/month for larger centers; per-child fees apply and custom quotes available.
HiMama
specializedChildcare app focused on daily reporting, parent engagement, and curriculum tools to document child development.
Digital learning stories and shareable child portfolios that capture developmental milestones with photos and videos
HiMama is a mobile-first childcare management software tailored for daycare centers, preschools, and early learning programs. It facilitates daily operations like attendance tracking, staff scheduling, billing, and compliance reporting while emphasizing child documentation through photos, videos, and learning stories. The platform's parent app enables real-time communication, sharing updates and developmental insights to foster strong family partnerships.
Pros
- Outstanding parent communication via intuitive app with real-time updates and media sharing
- Robust child documentation tools including learning stories and digital portfolios
- Seamless attendance, check-in/out, and basic billing integration
Cons
- Pricing scales quickly for larger centers, potentially expensive for small operations
- Limited advanced customization in reporting and analytics
- Some users report occasional sync issues between web and mobile apps
Best For
Childcare centers and preschools prioritizing parent engagement and visual child progress documentation.
Pricing
Custom plans starting at $129/month for up to 50 children, plus per-child fees; enterprise options available.
Lillio
specializedAffordable childcare software for attendance, invoicing, messaging, and compliance in early education centers.
The highly rated parent app for seamless real-time updates, photo sharing, and contactless payments
Lillio is an all-in-one childcare management software tailored for daycare centers, preschools, and after-school programs, handling everything from enrollment and attendance to billing and staff scheduling. It features a robust parent app for real-time communication, daily reports, and payments, alongside tools for lesson planning, compliance tracking, and family management. The platform emphasizes efficiency and parent engagement, making it suitable for multi-location operations.
Pros
- Comprehensive feature set including automated billing and parent communication apps
- Strong mobile accessibility for staff and families
- Excellent compliance and reporting tools for state regulations
Cons
- Pricing can be steep for very small centers
- Steeper learning curve for advanced customizations
- Occasional reports of mobile app glitches during peak usage
Best For
Medium-sized childcare centers and preschools seeking an integrated platform with strong parent engagement and multi-location support.
Pricing
Starts at $95/month for up to 50 children (Essentials plan), scaling to $275+/month for larger centers with premium features; custom enterprise pricing available.
Jackrabbit Care
specializedCloud-based childcare management for enrollment, payments, attendance, and parent portals in daycare settings.
Integrated daily child reports and photo sharing via the parent app for enhanced family engagement
Jackrabbit Care is a cloud-based management software tailored for childcare centers, daycares, and preschools, offering tools for enrollment, attendance tracking, billing, scheduling, and parent communication. It features a dedicated parent portal for real-time updates on child activities, payments, and reports, alongside staff tools for daily sheets, incident logging, and compliance tracking. The platform emphasizes automation to reduce administrative burdens, with mobile apps enhancing accessibility for on-the-go management.
Pros
- Comprehensive parent portal with real-time updates and online payments
- Automated billing and enrollment streamline operations
- Strong reporting and analytics for compliance and insights
Cons
- Pricing can be steep for very small centers
- Initial setup and learning curve for advanced features
- Mobile app occasionally experiences sync issues
Best For
Mid-sized childcare centers and preschools seeking an all-in-one solution with strong parent engagement tools.
Pricing
Custom quotes starting at around $89/month, scaled by number of students, locations, and features selected.
Childcare Manager
specializedUser-friendly software for managing childcare operations including rosters, billing, and staff coordination.
Integrated parent portal with real-time notifications, photo sharing, and secure online payments
Childcare Manager is a cloud-based software solution tailored for childcare centers, simplifying administrative tasks such as child enrollment, daily attendance tracking, and automated billing. It features a parent portal for real-time updates, communication, and payments, alongside staff scheduling and compliance reporting tools. The platform supports multiple locations and scales with business growth, making it suitable for small to mid-sized providers.
Pros
- Robust billing and invoicing with integrated payments
- User-friendly parent and staff mobile apps
- Strong compliance and reporting for state regulations
Cons
- Limited advanced customization options
- Steeper learning curve for new users
- Customer support response times can vary
Best For
Small to medium childcare centers seeking an all-in-one solution for daily operations and parent engagement.
Pricing
Starts at $79/month for up to 50 children; scales to $199+/month for larger centers with custom enterprise plans.
EZCare
specializedSimple childcare management tool with scheduling, invoicing, child profiles, and family communication features.
The fully integrated parent app for instant notifications, photo sharing, and secure payments
EZCare is a cloud-based childcare management software tailored for daycare centers, preschools, and after-school programs, offering tools for child enrollment, daily attendance tracking, staff scheduling, and automated billing. It includes a parent portal and mobile app for real-time communication, daily reports, and payments, along with compliance features like state licensing reports. The platform emphasizes ease of setup and scalability for small to medium-sized facilities.
Pros
- Automated billing and invoicing with multiple payment integrations
- Intuitive parent and staff mobile apps for real-time updates
- Comprehensive reporting for attendance, licensing, and compliance
Cons
- Limited advanced customization for larger centers
- Customer support response times can vary
- Some users report occasional syncing issues across devices
Best For
Small to medium childcare providers seeking an affordable, all-in-one solution for daily operations and parent engagement.
Pricing
Starts at $59/month for basic plans, scaling to $1.50-$2.50 per child/month; custom enterprise pricing available.
Tadpoles
specializedDigital childcare platform specializing in daily sheets, photos, videos, and parent updates for providers.
Automated, customizable daily reports with photos and milestones sent directly to parents' phones in real-time
Tadpoles is a childcare management platform tailored for daycare centers and preschools, focusing on streamlining daily operations like attendance tracking, staff scheduling, billing, and compliance reporting. It excels in parent communication by providing real-time updates, photos, videos, and customizable daily reports accessible via a dedicated parent app. The software also supports lesson planning, child assessments, and secure messaging to foster strong family-center connections.
Pros
- Intuitive mobile apps for both staff and parents
- Strong emphasis on real-time parent communication and daily reports
- Comprehensive compliance and attendance tools
Cons
- Pricing scales quickly with number of children
- Limited third-party integrations compared to competitors
- Advanced features locked behind higher-tier plans
Best For
Small to medium-sized daycare centers prioritizing parent engagement and simple daily reporting.
Pricing
Starts at $5 per child per month (Essentials plan); scales to $10+ per child for Pro/Enterprise with more features; minimum fees apply for small centers.
SmartCare
specializedChildcare software emphasizing automated billing, attendance tracking, and multi-center management capabilities.
Family Portal app with real-time attendance, billing, and daily updates accessible to parents on the go
SmartCare is a cloud-based childcare management software tailored for daycare centers, preschools, and after-school programs. It streamlines operations with features like child enrollment, attendance tracking, automated billing, staff scheduling, and compliance reporting. The platform emphasizes parent engagement through a dedicated mobile app for real-time updates, payments, and communication.
Pros
- Intuitive interface with strong mobile apps for parents and staff
- Comprehensive billing and payment automation with QuickBooks integration
- Robust parent communication tools including real-time notifications and photo sharing
Cons
- Pricing scales with enrollment, which can be costly for small centers
- Reporting features lack advanced customization options
- Occasional mobile app sync issues reported by users
Best For
Medium-sized childcare centers needing an all-in-one solution for daily operations and parent engagement.
Pricing
Custom pricing starting at around $79/month for up to 50 children, plus $5-10 per additional child/month.
ChildPlus
enterpriseEnterprise childcare management system tailored for Head Start programs with case management and reporting.
Automated PIR reporting and federal compliance tools tailored for Head Start programs
ChildPlus is a specialized child care management software designed primarily for Head Start and Early Head Start programs, offering tools for child enrollment, attendance tracking, health screenings, nutrition management, and family services. It provides robust compliance features for federal regulations, including automated Program Information Report (PIR) generation and child assessment tracking. The platform supports staff credentialing, professional development, and data security to meet stringent early childhood education standards.
Pros
- Deep compliance tools for Head Start regulations
- Comprehensive family and child data management
- Strong reporting and analytics for program monitoring
Cons
- Steep learning curve for new users
- Custom pricing lacks transparency
- Less flexible for non-Head Start programs
Best For
Head Start and Early Head Start programs needing specialized federal compliance and reporting capabilities.
Pricing
Custom pricing based on program size and modules; typically $5,000–$20,000+ annually, often grant-funded.
Conclusion
The review of childcare management software highlights exceptional solutions, with Brightwheel leading as the top choice due to its all-encompassing mobile-first approach—integrating attendance tracking, billing, and parent communication seamlessly. Procare and HiMama stand out as strong alternatives: Procare excels in comprehensive regulatory reporting and staff scheduling, while HiMama focuses on detailed child development documentation and parent engagement. Together, these tools cater to varied operational needs, ensuring smooth daycare management.
Take the first step toward streamlined operations by trying Brightwheel—its intuitive design and complete feature set make it ideal for managing daily tasks, fostering parent trust, and elevating your center's efficiency. Don't wait to transform how you run your childcare facility.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison