Quick Overview
- 1#1: Procare Software - Comprehensive childcare management solution with integrated accounting, billing, payroll, and financial reporting tailored for daycares.
- 2#2: Brightwheel - All-in-one mobile platform for daycares offering invoicing, online payments, attendance tracking, and financial insights.
- 3#3: Jackrabbit Class - Childcare and class management software featuring automated billing, payment processing, and detailed financial reports.
- 4#4: Sandbox Software - Cloud-based childcare management with robust accounting tools for tuition billing, expense tracking, and payroll.
- 5#5: HiMama - Childcare app with billing, payment collection, and financial management features alongside parent communication.
- 6#6: Tadpoles - Early education platform providing attendance-linked billing, invoicing, and basic accounting for daycares.
- 7#7: Childcare Manager - Dedicated daycare software for managing enrollments, billing, payments, and financial statements.
- 8#8: LifeCubby - Childcare management system with integrated billing, payment tracking, and assessment tools for financial oversight.
- 9#9: QuickBooks Online - Cloud accounting software adaptable for daycares with invoicing, expense tracking, and payroll integrations.
- 10#10: Xero - Online accounting platform for small businesses like daycares, offering bank reconciliation, invoicing, and reporting.
We ranked these tools based on core functionality—including tailored accounting, billing, and payroll features—alongside ease of use, reliability, and overall value, ensuring they meet the distinct demands of childcare management.
Comparison Table
Managing daycare finances and operations effectively requires the right tools, and daycare accounting software plays a critical role in simplifying billing, reporting, and more. This comparison table highlights top options like Procare Software, Brightwheel, Jackrabbit Class, Sandbox Software, HiMama, and others, helping users compare features, pricing, and usability to find the best fit for their needs. Readers will discover key details to make informed decisions tailored to their facility’s unique requirements.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Procare Software Comprehensive childcare management solution with integrated accounting, billing, payroll, and financial reporting tailored for daycares. | specialized | 9.6/10 | 9.8/10 | 8.9/10 | 9.4/10 |
| 2 | Brightwheel All-in-one mobile platform for daycares offering invoicing, online payments, attendance tracking, and financial insights. | specialized | 8.2/10 | 7.8/10 | 9.1/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 3 | Jackrabbit Class Childcare and class management software featuring automated billing, payment processing, and detailed financial reports. | specialized | 8.2/10 | 8.5/10 | 8.0/10 | 7.7/10 |
| 4 | Sandbox Software Cloud-based childcare management with robust accounting tools for tuition billing, expense tracking, and payroll. | specialized | 8.1/10 | 8.4/10 | 7.9/10 | 7.7/10 |
| 5 | HiMama Childcare app with billing, payment collection, and financial management features alongside parent communication. | specialized | 6.1/10 | 5.2/10 | 8.4/10 | 5.8/10 |
| 6 | Tadpoles Early education platform providing attendance-linked billing, invoicing, and basic accounting for daycares. | specialized | 7.6/10 | 7.4/10 | 8.4/10 | 7.2/10 |
| 7 | Childcare Manager Dedicated daycare software for managing enrollments, billing, payments, and financial statements. | specialized | 8.1/10 | 8.5/10 | 7.8/10 | 7.6/10 |
| 8 | LifeCubby Childcare management system with integrated billing, payment tracking, and assessment tools for financial oversight. | specialized | 6.8/10 | 6.2/10 | 8.1/10 | 6.9/10 |
| 9 | QuickBooks Online Cloud accounting software adaptable for daycares with invoicing, expense tracking, and payroll integrations. | enterprise | 7.8/10 | 7.5/10 | 8.5/10 | 7.2/10 |
| 10 | Xero Online accounting platform for small businesses like daycares, offering bank reconciliation, invoicing, and reporting. | enterprise | 7.4/10 | 6.8/10 | 9.1/10 | 7.9/10 |
Comprehensive childcare management solution with integrated accounting, billing, payroll, and financial reporting tailored for daycares.
All-in-one mobile platform for daycares offering invoicing, online payments, attendance tracking, and financial insights.
Childcare and class management software featuring automated billing, payment processing, and detailed financial reports.
Cloud-based childcare management with robust accounting tools for tuition billing, expense tracking, and payroll.
Childcare app with billing, payment collection, and financial management features alongside parent communication.
Early education platform providing attendance-linked billing, invoicing, and basic accounting for daycares.
Dedicated daycare software for managing enrollments, billing, payments, and financial statements.
Childcare management system with integrated billing, payment tracking, and assessment tools for financial oversight.
Cloud accounting software adaptable for daycares with invoicing, expense tracking, and payroll integrations.
Online accounting platform for small businesses like daycares, offering bank reconciliation, invoicing, and reporting.
Procare Software
specializedComprehensive childcare management solution with integrated accounting, billing, payroll, and financial reporting tailored for daycares.
The Childcare Ledger system, which automatically reconciles payments, attendance, and fees in a daycare-specific financial framework
Procare Software is a leading childcare management platform with specialized accounting tools tailored for daycare centers, handling everything from automated billing and family payments to financial reporting and tax compliance. It integrates attendance tracking with invoicing to ensure accurate revenue capture based on actual child hours and schedules. Designed for scalability, it supports multi-location operations and provides detailed ledgers for childcare-specific financial management.
Pros
- Robust family-based billing and automated invoicing tied to attendance
- Comprehensive financial reporting, ledgers, and childcare tax tools
- Seamless integration with parent portals for online payments
Cons
- Higher pricing may deter very small daycares
- Initial setup and learning curve for advanced features
- Some users report occasional customer support delays
Best For
Mid-to-large daycare centers and preschools needing integrated accounting with operational management for efficient financial oversight.
Pricing
Custom quotes starting at ~$149/month for basic plans, scaling with number of children/locations (typically $100-$300+/month).
Brightwheel
specializedAll-in-one mobile platform for daycares offering invoicing, online payments, attendance tracking, and financial insights.
Attendance-driven automated recurring billing that adjusts invoices dynamically based on actual child hours
Brightwheel is an all-in-one child care management platform with strong daycare accounting features, including automated invoicing, tuition billing, and parent payment collection. It tracks attendance to generate accurate bills, processes payments seamlessly via ACH, credit card, or app, and offers financial reports like revenue summaries and aging receivables. Designed for preschools and daycares, it simplifies financial tasks but pairs them with operational tools like check-in and communication.
Pros
- Automated attendance-based billing reduces manual errors
- Integrated parent payments with low fees and reminders
- User-friendly financial dashboards and reports
Cons
- Lacks advanced accounting like general ledger or tax tools
- Payroll is add-on and not deeply integrated with accounting
- Pricing scales with number of children, increasing costs for larger centers
Best For
Small to mid-sized daycares needing simple, integrated billing alongside child care management.
Pricing
Starts at $0 for basic (limited features), Pro plan ~$169/month base + per-child fees, scales to Enterprise for larger operations.
Jackrabbit Class
specializedChildcare and class management software featuring automated billing, payment processing, and detailed financial reports.
Family Portal with sibling discounts and automated prorated billing for multi-child households
Jackrabbit Class is a cloud-based management platform designed for child care centers, daycares, and activity-based programs, with robust accounting tools for tuition billing, invoicing, and payment processing. It automates family billing for multiple children, tracks attendance-linked charges, and generates financial reports to streamline daycare finances. While not a standalone accounting suite, it integrates essential bookkeeping with operational management for efficient revenue handling.
Pros
- Automated family billing handles multi-child discounts and prorated tuition seamlessly
- Integrated online payments and attendance tracking reduce manual accounting errors
- Comprehensive financial reporting for revenue, expenses, and profitability insights
Cons
- Lacks advanced accounting like full double-entry bookkeeping or payroll processing
- Pricing scales with student enrollment, which can get expensive for larger daycares
- Customization options require setup time and may overwhelm beginners
Best For
Small to mid-sized daycares needing integrated billing and basic accounting alongside class scheduling.
Pricing
Custom pricing starts around $75/month base fee plus $2-4 per active student; additional fees for premium features.
Sandbox Software
specializedCloud-based childcare management with robust accounting tools for tuition billing, expense tracking, and payroll.
Real-time attendance-to-billing automation that calculates charges based on actual hours attended
Sandbox Software is a comprehensive childcare management platform with integrated accounting tools designed specifically for daycares and preschools. It streamlines billing, invoicing, payment processing, and financial reporting by linking attendance data directly to revenue generation. The software also handles family accounts, subsidies, and customizable tuition schedules, making it suitable for operational and financial management in childcare settings.
Pros
- Seamless integration of attendance tracking with automated billing and invoicing
- Online parent portal for payments and account management
- Comprehensive financial reports including profit/loss and subsidy tracking
Cons
- Lacks advanced accounting features like full payroll integration or multi-entity support
- Pricing scales with number of children, which can become expensive for larger centers
- Some users report a moderate learning curve for custom configurations
Best For
Small to mid-sized daycares needing an all-in-one solution that ties daily operations to accounting without separate software.
Pricing
Starts at $99/month for up to 50 children; scales to $5+ per child/month for larger enrollments, with annual discounts available.
HiMama
specializedChildcare app with billing, payment collection, and financial management features alongside parent communication.
Automatic billing generation directly from real-time attendance tracking and sign-in/out logs
HiMama is a comprehensive childcare management platform with basic accounting features tailored for daycare centers, primarily focusing on attendance tracking, invoicing, and parent payments rather than full financial accounting. It automates billing based on child sign-ins and sign-outs, integrates with payment processors, and provides simple financial reports, but lacks advanced tools like general ledger, payroll processing, or tax compliance. While excellent for operational efficiency in early childhood programs, it falls short as a standalone daycare accounting solution.
Pros
- Seamless integration of attendance data with automated invoicing
- User-friendly mobile app for quick financial updates
- Parent portal for easy online payments and receipts
Cons
- Limited advanced accounting like payroll, ledger, or tax reporting
- No deep financial analytics or multi-location consolidation
- Pricing scales with child count, increasing costs for larger centers
Best For
Small to mid-sized daycares seeking basic billing integrated with daily childcare operations rather than robust accounting.
Pricing
Starts at around $12 per child per month, with tiered plans based on number of children and features; annual contracts required.
Tadpoles
specializedEarly education platform providing attendance-linked billing, invoicing, and basic accounting for daycares.
Real-time attendance-to-invoice automation that calculates charges dynamically based on check-in/out times and schedules
Tadpoles is a childcare management platform designed for daycares and preschools, with built-in accounting tools focused on billing, invoicing, and payment processing. It automates invoice generation based on attendance tracking, supports online parent payments via integrated gateways, and provides basic financial reports for revenue tracking. While not a standalone accounting solution, it streamlines financial operations alongside daily childcare tasks like parent communication and staff scheduling.
Pros
- Automated invoicing directly tied to attendance data
- Seamless online payment collection from parents
- User-friendly mobile app for quick financial oversight
Cons
- Lacks advanced accounting like payroll processing or detailed tax reporting
- Financial reporting is basic and less customizable
- Pricing scales with child count, which can be costly for larger centers
Best For
Small to medium daycares seeking integrated billing within a full childcare management system rather than deep accounting specialization.
Pricing
Starts at about $3-5 per child per month, with custom quotes based on program size and features; minimums apply for small centers.
Childcare Manager
specializedDedicated daycare software for managing enrollments, billing, payments, and financial statements.
Dynamic billing engine that auto-calculates charges based on real-time attendance, schedules, and custom fee structures
Childcare Manager is a cloud-based childcare management platform with robust accounting features tailored for daycare centers, including automated invoicing, parent payments, and financial reporting. It integrates daily attendance and scheduling directly with billing to ensure accurate tuition calculations and handles subsidies, late fees, and multi-location finances. While not a standalone accounting tool like QuickBooks, it provides daycare-specific financial tools that streamline operations for providers.
Pros
- Automated billing tied to attendance and schedules for precise invoicing
- Parent portal for online payments and real-time balance views
- Comprehensive financial reports including P&L, AR aging, and subsidy tracking
Cons
- Pricing scales quickly with number of children, less ideal for very small centers
- Limited advanced accounting integrations (e.g., no native QuickBooks sync)
- Initial setup and customization can require support assistance
Best For
Medium-sized daycare centers (50+ children) needing integrated accounting within a full childcare management system.
Pricing
Starts at $99/month for up to 50 children; scales to $200+/month for larger centers with custom enterprise quotes.
LifeCubby
specializedChildcare management system with integrated billing, payment tracking, and assessment tools for financial oversight.
Automatic billing generation from real-time attendance and enrollment tracking
LifeCubby is a cloud-based early childhood education platform designed for daycares and preschools, offering integrated accounting tools like automated invoicing, online payments, and attendance-based billing. It streamlines financial tasks by linking child attendance and enrollment data directly to billing cycles, while also providing basic financial reports and parent payment portals. Though not a standalone accounting solution, its features support essential daycare financial management within a broader child care ecosystem.
Pros
- Integrated billing tied to attendance and enrollment data
- User-friendly parent portal for payments and invoices
- Mobile accessibility for staff and families
Cons
- Lacks advanced accounting like general ledger or payroll integration
- Limited customization for complex financial reporting
- Pricing scales with number of children, which can become costly for larger centers
Best For
Small to mid-sized daycares seeking basic accounting embedded in a full child care management system.
Pricing
Custom pricing based on number of children and features; typically starts at $5-10 per child per month with tiered plans (Starter, Pro, Enterprise).
QuickBooks Online
enterpriseCloud accounting software adaptable for daycares with invoicing, expense tracking, and payroll integrations.
Seamless bank feed automation and reconciliation for accurate, hands-off financial tracking
QuickBooks Online is a versatile cloud-based accounting software designed for small businesses, including daycares, offering tools for invoicing, expense tracking, payroll, and financial reporting. It enables daycare owners to manage tuition payments, staff wages, supply costs, and generate profit/loss statements with ease. While not purpose-built for childcare, it excels in core accounting functions and supports custom setups for recurring billing and class-based revenue tracking.
Pros
- Robust invoicing and automated recurring billing for tuition
- Integrated payroll and expense tracking tailored to small operations
- Real-time reporting and mobile app for on-the-go access
Cons
- Lacks built-in childcare features like attendance tracking or parent portals
- Requires custom workarounds or third-party integrations for daycare-specific needs
- Pricing escalates quickly for advanced features not always relevant to daycares
Best For
Daycare businesses seeking a reliable general accounting solution with strong integrations rather than specialized childcare management.
Pricing
Starts at $30/month (Simple Start) up to $200/month (Advanced); 50% off first 3 months, annual discounts available.
Xero
enterpriseOnline accounting platform for small businesses like daycares, offering bank reconciliation, invoicing, and reporting.
Hubdoc-powered bank feeds for automatic transaction categorization and reconciliation
Xero is a cloud-based accounting software primarily designed for small to medium-sized businesses, providing tools for invoicing, bank reconciliation, expense tracking, payroll, and financial reporting. For daycares, it excels in general bookkeeping tasks like billing parents for tuition and fees, managing cash flow, and generating compliance reports, but lacks built-in childcare-specific modules. It supports integrations with third-party apps to extend functionality, making it adaptable for basic daycare accounting needs.
Pros
- Intuitive interface with mobile app for on-the-go access
- Unlimited users and strong bank feed automation for reconciliation
- Robust invoicing and reporting suitable for parent billing and financial oversight
Cons
- No native daycare features like child enrollment, attendance, or subsidy tracking
- Payroll module limited to certain countries and requires add-ons elsewhere
- Higher pricing tiers needed for advanced features like multi-currency or projects
Best For
Small daycare operators seeking reliable general-purpose accounting without needing specialized childcare management tools.
Pricing
Starts at $20 USD/month (Early plan) for basic features, up to $70 USD/month (Established plan); annual discounts available, varies by region.
Conclusion
In a competitive landscape of daycare accounting software, Procare Software emerges as the top choice, with its integrated tools for accounting, billing, and payroll tailored specifically to childcare needs. Brightwheel and Jackrabbit Class follow closely, offering strong alternatives—Brightwheel for its mobile-first approach and Jackrabbit for automated reporting—catering to varied operational priorities. Together, these platforms simplify financial management, ensuring daycare owners can focus on care rather than paperwork.
Take the first step toward efficient financial management by exploring Procare Software; its comprehensive features make it the ideal solution to streamline your daycare’s operations.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison
