Quick Overview
- 1#1: Brightwheel - All-in-one child care management platform for attendance tracking, billing, parent communication, and daily updates.
- 2#2: Procare - Comprehensive childcare software with advanced billing, family management, and child tracking features.
- 3#3: HiMama - Mobile-first child care app for daily documentation, curriculum sharing, and parent-teacher communication.
- 4#4: Lillio - Unified platform for child care centers handling check-ins, payments, staff scheduling, and lesson planning.
- 5#5: Famly - Cloud-based childcare management tool for nurseries focusing on attendance, invoicing, and parent engagement.
- 6#6: Jackrabbit Care - Childcare-specific software for managing enrollment, tuition billing, attendance, and staff coordination.
- 7#7: Tadpoles - Early education platform for sharing photos, videos, daily reports, and developmental milestones with parents.
- 8#8: SmartCare - Child care management system for enrollment, attendance tracking, billing, and regulatory compliance.
- 9#9: EZChildTrack - User-friendly childcare software for child profiles, attendance, invoicing, and parent portals.
- 10#10: Childcare Manager - Integrated solution for day care rosters, billing, child records, and administrative tasks.
We ranked these tools based on feature depth, user experience, reliability, and overall value, ensuring they address the diverse needs of child care centers, from basic administration to advanced parent engagement.
Comparison Table
Tackling day care software selection? Our comparison table simplifies the process by examining tools like Brightwheel, Procare, HiMama, Lillio, Famly, and more. Readers will discover key features, usability, and best-fit scenarios for different center needs, aiding in informed decisions.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brightwheel All-in-one child care management platform for attendance tracking, billing, parent communication, and daily updates. | specialized | 9.6/10 | 9.8/10 | 9.5/10 | 9.3/10 |
| 2 | Procare Comprehensive childcare software with advanced billing, family management, and child tracking features. | specialized | 8.8/10 | 9.2/10 | 7.9/10 | 8.4/10 |
| 3 | HiMama Mobile-first child care app for daily documentation, curriculum sharing, and parent-teacher communication. | specialized | 8.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.5/10 | 8.3/10 |
| 4 | Lillio Unified platform for child care centers handling check-ins, payments, staff scheduling, and lesson planning. | specialized | 8.4/10 | 8.7/10 | 8.5/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 5 | Famly Cloud-based childcare management tool for nurseries focusing on attendance, invoicing, and parent engagement. | specialized | 8.6/10 | 8.8/10 | 9.1/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 6 | Jackrabbit Care Childcare-specific software for managing enrollment, tuition billing, attendance, and staff coordination. | specialized | 8.3/10 | 8.8/10 | 7.9/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 7 | Tadpoles Early education platform for sharing photos, videos, daily reports, and developmental milestones with parents. | specialized | 8.1/10 | 8.3/10 | 8.8/10 | 7.6/10 |
| 8 | SmartCare Child care management system for enrollment, attendance tracking, billing, and regulatory compliance. | specialized | 8.2/10 | 8.5/10 | 8.0/10 | 7.8/10 |
| 9 | EZChildTrack User-friendly childcare software for child profiles, attendance, invoicing, and parent portals. | specialized | 7.8/10 | 7.5/10 | 8.2/10 | 8.5/10 |
| 10 | Childcare Manager Integrated solution for day care rosters, billing, child records, and administrative tasks. | specialized | 7.9/10 | 8.4/10 | 7.5/10 | 7.6/10 |
All-in-one child care management platform for attendance tracking, billing, parent communication, and daily updates.
Comprehensive childcare software with advanced billing, family management, and child tracking features.
Mobile-first child care app for daily documentation, curriculum sharing, and parent-teacher communication.
Unified platform for child care centers handling check-ins, payments, staff scheduling, and lesson planning.
Cloud-based childcare management tool for nurseries focusing on attendance, invoicing, and parent engagement.
Childcare-specific software for managing enrollment, tuition billing, attendance, and staff coordination.
Early education platform for sharing photos, videos, daily reports, and developmental milestones with parents.
Child care management system for enrollment, attendance tracking, billing, and regulatory compliance.
User-friendly childcare software for child profiles, attendance, invoicing, and parent portals.
Integrated solution for day care rosters, billing, child records, and administrative tasks.
Brightwheel
specializedAll-in-one child care management platform for attendance tracking, billing, parent communication, and daily updates.
Seamless parent app with instant daily reports, photos, and two-way messaging for unmatched family engagement
Brightwheel is a comprehensive all-in-one child care management software tailored for daycare centers, preschools, and early education programs. It streamlines operations with features like attendance tracking, automated billing and invoicing, staff scheduling, and lesson planning. The platform shines in parent engagement via a user-friendly mobile app for sharing photos, videos, daily reports, and real-time updates. It also includes child development assessments and compliance tools to support educational goals.
Pros
- All-in-one platform covering enrollment, billing, attendance, and parent communication
- Intuitive mobile app for parents and staff with real-time photo/video sharing
- Robust reporting and child progress tracking tools
- Excellent customer support and frequent updates
Cons
- Pricing can become expensive for larger centers with many children
- Some advanced features require higher-tier plans
- Occasional app glitches reported during peak usage times
Best For
Daycare centers and preschools seeking a mobile-first solution to manage operations, billing, and parent-teacher communication seamlessly.
Pricing
Starts at $8/child/month for small programs (1-20 children), with tiered plans up to custom enterprise pricing; includes a free Essential plan for solo providers.
Procare
specializedComprehensive childcare software with advanced billing, family management, and child tracking features.
QuickCare PIN pad system for secure, rapid child check-in/out with photo verification
Procare Software is a veteran childcare management platform tailored for daycare centers, preschools, and before/after-school programs, handling everything from child enrollment and daily attendance to family billing and staff management. It features a secure parent portal for real-time updates, online payments, and communication, alongside tools for compliance reporting and accounting. With on-premise and cloud options, it supports scalability for growing operations while integrating with payment processors and hardware like PIN pads for quick check-ins.
Pros
- Robust billing and accounting with support for complex tuition schedules
- Reliable attendance tracking via PIN pads and mobile apps
- Strong compliance tools and customizable reporting
Cons
- User interface can feel dated and requires training
- Pricing scales quickly for larger centers
- Limited customization in some mobile features
Best For
Medium to large childcare centers needing advanced financial management and compliance tracking.
Pricing
Quote-based pricing starts around $129/month for core features, scaling per child (approx. $3-7/child/month) plus one-time setup fees and add-ons.
HiMama
specializedMobile-first child care app for daily documentation, curriculum sharing, and parent-teacher communication.
Digital child portfolios that compile photos, observations, and learning stories into shareable, long-term developmental records
HiMama is a cloud-based childcare management software tailored for daycare centers, preschools, and early learning programs. It facilitates daily operations like attendance tracking, staff scheduling, billing, and child assessments while enabling secure sharing of photos, videos, and developmental reports with parents via a mobile app. The platform emphasizes building digital portfolios that document each child's growth and milestones over time.
Pros
- Exceptional parent engagement tools with real-time photo and video sharing
- Comprehensive child documentation and portfolio features for tracking development
- Intuitive mobile apps for staff and parents
Cons
- Pricing can be steep for very small centers with low enrollment
- Steeper learning curve for advanced reporting and customization
- Limited third-party integrations compared to some competitors
Best For
Small to medium-sized daycare centers and preschools prioritizing parent communication and child progress documentation.
Pricing
Starts at $10-15 per child per month (billed annually), with minimum fees and custom enterprise pricing for larger centers.
Lillio
specializedUnified platform for child care centers handling check-ins, payments, staff scheduling, and lesson planning.
Digital child portfolios that compile photos, observations, and progress reports for seamless sharing with parents
Lillio is a comprehensive childcare management software tailored for daycare centers, preschools, and family child care providers, offering tools for attendance tracking, billing, staff scheduling, and parent communication. It excels in child development documentation through digital portfolios, daily reports, and customizable lesson plans shared via a dedicated parent app. The platform streamlines administrative tasks while emphasizing family engagement and regulatory compliance reporting.
Pros
- Intuitive parent app with real-time updates and photo sharing
- Robust child portfolio and lesson planning tools
- Strong compliance reporting for licensing and funding
Cons
- Pricing scales quickly with enrollment size
- Limited advanced customization options
- Occasional glitches in mobile check-in features
Best For
Small to medium-sized daycare centers and preschools prioritizing parent engagement and child development documentation.
Pricing
Starts at $99/month for up to 25 children; scales to $299+/month for larger programs with custom enterprise quotes available.
Famly
specializedCloud-based childcare management tool for nurseries focusing on attendance, invoicing, and parent engagement.
The integrated parent app for real-time updates, photos, and progress sharing directly from staff observations
Famly is a comprehensive childcare management platform tailored for daycares, nurseries, and preschools, offering tools for attendance tracking, staff scheduling, billing, and parent communication. It features digital learning journals for documenting child observations and progress, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards like EYFS in the UK. The mobile-first approach provides intuitive apps for parents and staff to stay connected in real-time, streamlining daily operations and enhancing family engagement.
Pros
- Intuitive mobile apps for parents and staff fostering strong communication
- Robust compliance and observation tools for child development tracking
- Efficient billing and invoicing with automated parent payments
Cons
- Pricing scales with child numbers, which can burden small centers
- Limited advanced customization for reporting and integrations
- Customer support response times can vary by region
Best For
Medium-sized daycares and nurseries prioritizing parent engagement and regulatory compliance in Europe.
Pricing
Subscription-based at ~£1-£2 per child per month, with minimum fees starting around £80/month for small groups; enterprise plans available.
Jackrabbit Care
specializedChildcare-specific software for managing enrollment, tuition billing, attendance, and staff coordination.
Integrated online registration and waitlist management with automated notifications
Jackrabbit Care is a cloud-based childcare management software tailored for daycare centers, preschools, and after-school programs. It handles key functions like online enrollment, attendance tracking, automated billing, scheduling, and parent communication via a dedicated portal and mobile app. The platform emphasizes operational efficiency with robust reporting and compliance tools for childcare providers.
Pros
- Comprehensive parent portal for real-time updates and payments
- Strong automation for billing and attendance tracking
- Detailed reporting for compliance and business insights
Cons
- Pricing scales with number of children, expensive for small centers
- Initial setup and learning curve can be steep
- Limited integrations compared to top competitors
Best For
Mid-sized daycare centers and preschools needing robust enrollment and billing automation.
Pricing
Custom quotes starting at $49/month per location plus $5-10 per child/month; free trial available.
Tadpoles
specializedEarly education platform for sharing photos, videos, daily reports, and developmental milestones with parents.
Automated daily reports that compile activities, photos, and notes into shareable summaries sent directly to parents' phones
Tadpoles is a childcare management software tailored for daycares, preschools, and family child care providers, focusing on daily activity tracking and parent communication. It allows staff to log attendance, meals, naps, diapers, and milestones while sharing photos, videos, and reports via a user-friendly parent app. Additional features include basic billing, staff scheduling, and compliance tools to streamline center operations and enhance family engagement.
Pros
- Intuitive mobile apps for seamless parent-staff communication and updates
- Comprehensive daily activity logging with photo/video sharing
- Strong emphasis on building parent trust through personalized reports
Cons
- Pricing scales quickly for larger enrollments, reducing value
- Limited integrations with accounting or payroll systems
- Advanced reporting and customization locked behind higher tiers
Best For
Small to medium daycares and preschools seeking simple, parent-focused tools for daily operations.
Pricing
Starts at $65/month for up to 25 children, then ~$8 per additional child/month; tiered plans up to enterprise level.
SmartCare
specializedChild care management system for enrollment, attendance tracking, billing, and regulatory compliance.
EZCheckin mobile attendance system with facial recognition and instant parent notifications
SmartCare is a robust childcare management software tailored for daycare centers, preschools, and after-school programs, offering end-to-end tools for enrollment, daily attendance, billing, and parent communication. It features a user-friendly parent portal and mobile app for real-time updates, payments, and check-ins. The platform also supports staff scheduling, compliance reporting, and automated invoicing to streamline operations.
Pros
- Comprehensive parent and staff mobile apps for real-time communication
- Automated billing and payment processing with QuickBooks integration
- Strong attendance tracking with PIN codes and photo verification
Cons
- Pricing scales quickly for multi-location centers
- Some advanced reporting requires add-ons
- Occasional mobile app glitches reported by users
Best For
Medium-sized daycare centers and preschools seeking an all-in-one platform with excellent parent engagement tools.
Pricing
Starts at $99/month for single-location basic plan; scales to $200+/month with add-ons and multi-site support; custom quotes available.
EZChildTrack
specializedUser-friendly childcare software for child profiles, attendance, invoicing, and parent portals.
Automated daily sheets with photos and attendance logs shared instantly via parent app
EZChildTrack is a cloud-based child care management software tailored for daycares, preschools, and family child care homes. It streamlines operations with features like real-time attendance tracking, automated billing, daily activity reports, and a parent communication portal. The platform supports compliance reporting and includes a mobile app for parents to view child updates, schedules, and payments.
Pros
- Affordable pricing suitable for small centers
- User-friendly interface with quick setup
- Effective parent app for real-time updates
Cons
- Limited advanced analytics and reporting
- Fewer integrations with external tools
- Mobile app can experience occasional sync issues
Best For
Small to medium-sized daycares and family child care providers looking for a cost-effective, straightforward solution without complex needs.
Pricing
Starts at $29/month for up to 50 children, with tiered plans scaling to $99+/month for larger centers; custom quotes available.
Childcare Manager
specializedIntegrated solution for day care rosters, billing, child records, and administrative tasks.
Integrated parent portal with real-time attendance notifications and secure online payments
Childcare Manager is a cloud-based software platform tailored for daycare centers and childcare providers, offering tools for child enrollment, attendance tracking, billing, and staff management. It includes parent portals for real-time updates, communication, and payments, along with compliance reporting for state regulations. The system aims to streamline daily operations and reduce administrative burdens for childcare businesses.
Pros
- Comprehensive all-in-one tools for enrollment, billing, and attendance
- Strong parent communication and portal features
- Built-in compliance reporting for regulations
Cons
- Pricing can be high for very small centers
- Moderate learning curve for full customization
- Limited third-party integrations compared to competitors
Best For
Mid-sized daycare centers and preschools needing robust operational and parent engagement tools.
Pricing
Custom subscription pricing starting around $99/month for small centers, scaling based on number of children and locations.
Conclusion
After reviewing 10 top day care software tools, Brightwheel leads as the top choice, combining attendance tracking, billing, and parent communication in one platform to meet diverse center needs. Procare and HiMama stand out as strong alternatives—Procare with its advanced features and HiMama for its mobile-first design—each excelling in specific areas to suit varying operational priorities. Ultimately, the right software enhances efficiency and parent engagement, and all options offer valuable solutions, with Brightwheel setting the standard.
Don't miss out on streamlining your day care operations—start with Brightwheel, the most comprehensive tool to manage attendance, billing, and parent communication all in one place.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison