Quick Overview
- 1#1: Brightwheel - Brightwheel provides a comprehensive childcare management platform that simplifies enrollment, payments, attendance tracking, and parent communication for daycares.
- 2#2: Procare Software - Procare offers robust childcare management software with advanced enrollment tools, family billing, and child tracking features tailored for daycare operations.
- 3#3: HiMama - HiMama streamlines daycare enrollment, daily reporting, and parent engagement through its mobile-first childcare management app.
- 4#4: Kinderlime - Kinderlime delivers online enrollment, tuition collection, and attendance management to optimize daycare administrative workflows.
- 5#5: Lillio - Lillio is a user-friendly platform for childcare providers that handles enrollment forms, invoicing, and child progress tracking.
- 6#6: Tadpoles - Tadpoles facilitates easy enrollment, daily updates, and photo sharing to enhance parent involvement in daycare settings.
- 7#7: Famly - Famly offers an all-in-one app for daycare enrollment, staff scheduling, and financial management with a focus on European markets.
- 8#8: Jackrabbit Class - Jackrabbit Class manages enrollment, billing, and class scheduling for childcare programs and daycare centers.
- 9#9: Childcare Manager - Childcare Manager provides affordable tools for online enrollment, attendance, and payment processing in small to medium daycares.
- 10#10: EZChildTrack - EZChildTrack supports daycare enrollment with features for registration, waitlists, and compliance reporting.
These tools were selected based on a balance of key features—including enrollment management, billing, and attendance tracking—alongside ease of use, reliability, and value, ensuring they meet the unique demands of modern daycare operations.
Comparison Table
This comparison table simplifies choosing daycare enrollment software by highlighting top tools like Brightwheel, Procare Software, HiMama, Kinderlime, Lillio, and more, helping readers understand features, pricing, and usability. Readers will gain clarity on how each tool aligns with their facility's needs, from communication to billing, to make informed selections tailored to their daycare's unique requirements.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brightwheel Brightwheel provides a comprehensive childcare management platform that simplifies enrollment, payments, attendance tracking, and parent communication for daycares. | specialized | 9.5/10 | 9.7/10 | 9.3/10 | 9.1/10 |
| 2 | Procare Software Procare offers robust childcare management software with advanced enrollment tools, family billing, and child tracking features tailored for daycare operations. | specialized | 9.1/10 | 9.4/10 | 8.7/10 | 8.6/10 |
| 3 | HiMama HiMama streamlines daycare enrollment, daily reporting, and parent engagement through its mobile-first childcare management app. | specialized | 8.5/10 | 8.0/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.3/10 |
| 4 | Kinderlime Kinderlime delivers online enrollment, tuition collection, and attendance management to optimize daycare administrative workflows. | specialized | 8.4/10 | 9.1/10 | 7.6/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 5 | Lillio Lillio is a user-friendly platform for childcare providers that handles enrollment forms, invoicing, and child progress tracking. | specialized | 8.1/10 | 8.5/10 | 7.9/10 | 7.7/10 |
| 6 | Tadpoles Tadpoles facilitates easy enrollment, daily updates, and photo sharing to enhance parent involvement in daycare settings. | specialized | 8.4/10 | 8.6/10 | 9.1/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 7 | Famly Famly offers an all-in-one app for daycare enrollment, staff scheduling, and financial management with a focus on European markets. | specialized | 8.4/10 | 8.7/10 | 8.9/10 | 7.9/10 |
| 8 | Jackrabbit Class Jackrabbit Class manages enrollment, billing, and class scheduling for childcare programs and daycare centers. | specialized | 8.4/10 | 8.7/10 | 8.2/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 9 | Childcare Manager Childcare Manager provides affordable tools for online enrollment, attendance, and payment processing in small to medium daycares. | specialized | 8.1/10 | 8.5/10 | 8.0/10 | 7.6/10 |
| 10 | EZChildTrack EZChildTrack supports daycare enrollment with features for registration, waitlists, and compliance reporting. | specialized | 7.1/10 | 6.7/10 | 8.2/10 | 8.0/10 |
Brightwheel provides a comprehensive childcare management platform that simplifies enrollment, payments, attendance tracking, and parent communication for daycares.
Procare offers robust childcare management software with advanced enrollment tools, family billing, and child tracking features tailored for daycare operations.
HiMama streamlines daycare enrollment, daily reporting, and parent engagement through its mobile-first childcare management app.
Kinderlime delivers online enrollment, tuition collection, and attendance management to optimize daycare administrative workflows.
Lillio is a user-friendly platform for childcare providers that handles enrollment forms, invoicing, and child progress tracking.
Tadpoles facilitates easy enrollment, daily updates, and photo sharing to enhance parent involvement in daycare settings.
Famly offers an all-in-one app for daycare enrollment, staff scheduling, and financial management with a focus on European markets.
Jackrabbit Class manages enrollment, billing, and class scheduling for childcare programs and daycare centers.
Childcare Manager provides affordable tools for online enrollment, attendance, and payment processing in small to medium daycares.
EZChildTrack supports daycare enrollment with features for registration, waitlists, and compliance reporting.
Brightwheel
specializedBrightwheel provides a comprehensive childcare management platform that simplifies enrollment, payments, attendance tracking, and parent communication for daycares.
Automated waitlist and enrollment funnel with one-click e-signatures and payment integration
Brightwheel is a comprehensive child care management platform tailored for daycares and preschools, with robust enrollment tools including online application forms, automated waitlists, e-signatures for contracts, and seamless tuition payments. It integrates enrollment seamlessly with daily operations like attendance tracking, parent-teacher communication via a dedicated app, and progress reporting. As a top-rated solution, it simplifies the entire enrollment lifecycle while fostering strong parent engagement.
Pros
- Streamlined online enrollment with waitlists, e-signatures, and automated payments
- Integrated parent app for real-time updates and communication
- Scalable for small to large centers with extensive reporting tools
Cons
- Higher costs for small centers due to minimum child fees
- Occasional glitches in mobile app during peak usage
- Limited advanced customization for unique enrollment workflows
Best For
Daycare centers and preschools seeking an all-in-one platform to handle enrollment, payments, and parent communication efficiently.
Pricing
Free for centers with <10 children; paid plans start at $10/child/month (min. 20 children) for Essentials, up to $25/child/month for Pro with advanced features.
Procare Software
specializedProcare offers robust childcare management software with advanced enrollment tools, family billing, and child tracking features tailored for daycare operations.
Automated online enrollment with built-in waitlisting and instant payment processing
Procare Software is a leading childcare management platform tailored for daycare centers, preschools, and before/after-school programs. It excels in enrollment through customizable online registration forms, automated waitlists, and secure parent portals for document submission and e-signatures. The software integrates enrollment seamlessly with attendance tracking, tuition billing, and family management, providing a unified solution for operational efficiency.
Pros
- Comprehensive online enrollment with e-signatures and mobile access
- Strong integration between enrollment, billing, and attendance tracking
- Intuitive parent and staff portals for real-time updates
Cons
- Pricing can be steep for very small centers
- Steep learning curve for advanced reporting features
- Customer support response times vary
Best For
Mid-sized daycare centers and preschools needing robust enrollment tools integrated with full childcare management.
Pricing
Subscription starts at $1.49 per child per month for core features, plus one-time setup fees and transaction costs; tiered plans up to enterprise level with custom quotes.
HiMama
specializedHiMama streamlines daycare enrollment, daily reporting, and parent engagement through its mobile-first childcare management app.
Seamless mobile parent portal for real-time enrollment updates, e-signatures, and document sharing
HiMama is an all-in-one childcare management platform designed for daycares and preschools, with enrollment features including online application forms, waitlist management, and family onboarding workflows. It streamlines the enrollment process by integrating it with daily operations like attendance tracking, parent communication, and documentation sharing via a mobile-first app. While not exclusively an enrollment tool, it supports efficient registration and reduces administrative paperwork for childcare providers.
Pros
- User-friendly mobile app for staff and parents
- Integrated enrollment with daily reporting and communication
- Automated waitlist and onboarding notifications
Cons
- Pricing per child can add up for larger centers
- Enrollment features are solid but less advanced than dedicated tools
- Customization options for forms are somewhat limited
Best For
Small to medium daycares needing an integrated enrollment system alongside daily childcare management.
Pricing
Starts at $12 per child/month (billed annually), with tiered discounts for 50+ children; custom pricing for enterprises.
Kinderlime
specializedKinderlime delivers online enrollment, tuition collection, and attendance management to optimize daycare administrative workflows.
Advanced online enrollment funnel with digital applications, virtual tours, and automated waitlist prioritization
Kinderlime is a comprehensive childcare management software tailored for daycare centers and preschools, excelling in online enrollment, waitlist management, and family onboarding processes. It integrates attendance tracking, automated billing, staff scheduling, and a parent communication portal to streamline daily operations. The platform also offers compliance reporting and mobile apps for enhanced accessibility.
Pros
- Powerful online enrollment and waitlist tools
- Integrated billing with autopay options
- Strong parent and staff mobile apps
Cons
- Steep learning curve for advanced features
- Pricing scales quickly for larger centers
- Occasional customer support delays
Best For
Small to mid-sized daycare centers and preschools needing robust enrollment automation alongside full operational management.
Pricing
Starts at $129/month for up to 50 children, with tiered plans scaling to $500+/month for larger enrollments; custom enterprise pricing available.
Lillio
specializedLillio is a user-friendly platform for childcare providers that handles enrollment forms, invoicing, and child progress tracking.
Real-time daily insights and reports shared instantly with parents via the mobile app
Lillio is an all-in-one childcare management software tailored for daycare centers, preschools, and home-based providers, focusing on streamlining enrollment, attendance, billing, and parent communication. It offers online enrollment forms, waitlists, automated approvals, and child record management to simplify onboarding new families. The platform also includes a mobile app for parents to view daily updates, schedules, and payments, making it a robust solution for daily operations.
Pros
- Comprehensive enrollment tools including online forms and waitlists
- Strong parent communication via dedicated mobile app
- Integrated billing and attendance tracking
Cons
- Steep learning curve for advanced features
- Pricing can add up for larger centers
- Limited customization for unique workflows
Best For
Medium-sized daycare centers and preschools seeking an integrated platform for enrollment and family engagement.
Pricing
Starts at $99/month for Starter plan (up to 25 children), with Essentials ($149/month) and Premium ($249+/month) tiers; per-child pricing available for larger programs.
Tadpoles
specializedTadpoles facilitates easy enrollment, daily updates, and photo sharing to enhance parent involvement in daycare settings.
Instant daily reports with photos and videos shared directly to parents' mobile app
Tadpoles is a childcare management software tailored for daycare centers and preschools, focusing on simplifying enrollment, waitlist management, and parent-teacher communication. It offers online enrollment forms, automated billing, attendance tracking, and a mobile app for sharing daily reports with photos and updates. The platform helps streamline administrative tasks while keeping parents engaged with real-time insights into their child's day.
Pros
- Highly intuitive mobile app for parents and staff
- Seamless enrollment and waitlist management
- Strong daily reporting and photo-sharing features
Cons
- Limited advanced analytics and reporting
- Pricing scales quickly for larger centers
- Fewer third-party integrations compared to competitors
Best For
Small to medium-sized daycare centers seeking user-friendly enrollment tools and robust parent communication.
Pricing
Starts at $65/month for up to 50 children; scales with program size and custom enterprise plans available.
Famly
specializedFamly offers an all-in-one app for daycare enrollment, staff scheduling, and financial management with a focus on European markets.
The robust parent app that enables self-service enrollment, payments, and daily updates, bridging enrollment to ongoing family engagement
Famly is an all-in-one childcare management platform designed for daycares and nurseries, offering tools for online enrollment, waitlist management, family profiling, attendance tracking, billing, and parent communication. It streamlines the enrollment process with customizable forms, automated notifications, and seamless transitions to daily operations. The intuitive parent app allows families to submit applications, make payments, and access real-time updates, reducing administrative burdens for providers.
Pros
- Comprehensive enrollment tools integrated with full childcare management
- Highly rated parent app for easy registrations and communication
- Automated waitlists and billing streamline operations
Cons
- Pricing scales with number of enrolled children, which can add up
- Geared more toward European markets with some regional compliance focus
- Full feature set may overwhelm very small operations
Best For
Small to medium-sized daycares and nurseries needing an all-in-one platform with strong enrollment and parent engagement features.
Pricing
Per-child pricing starting at around $4/child/month, with tiered plans and custom quotes for larger centers; free trial available.
Jackrabbit Class
specializedJackrabbit Class manages enrollment, billing, and class scheduling for childcare programs and daycare centers.
Automated waitlist and rollover enrollment that instantly notifies and enrolls families when spots open up
Jackrabbit Class is a cloud-based management platform tailored for class-based programs like daycares, camps, and childcare centers, handling enrollment, scheduling, billing, and attendance. It features an intuitive parent portal for online registrations, payments, and real-time updates on class availability. The software also includes robust reporting tools and mobile apps for staff and families, making it suitable for streamlining daycare operations.
Pros
- Comprehensive online enrollment with real-time availability and waitlist management
- Integrated billing and automated invoicing with multiple payment options
- Strong family and attendance tracking, including mobile apps for parents and staff
Cons
- Steeper learning curve for setup and customization
- Transaction fees on top of monthly subscriptions can increase costs
- Limited native integrations with non-childcare-specific tools like accounting software
Best For
Small to mid-sized daycare centers and class-based childcare programs needing robust enrollment and scheduling tools.
Pricing
Starts at $65/month for up to 100 students, scaling to higher tiers (e.g., $225+/month for 500+ students); plus 2.75-2.95% payment processing fees.
Childcare Manager
specializedChildcare Manager provides affordable tools for online enrollment, attendance, and payment processing in small to medium daycares.
The self-service online enrollment portal that enables parents to complete registrations, upload documents, and join waitlists independently.
Childcare Manager is a cloud-based childcare management platform that specializes in streamlining daycare enrollment processes alongside attendance tracking, billing, and family communications. It offers an online parent portal for submitting enrollment applications, managing waitlists, and handling payments securely. The software also supports staff scheduling, compliance reporting, and mobile access, making it a full-suite solution for childcare providers.
Pros
- Comprehensive online enrollment and waitlist management
- Seamless integration of billing and payments with enrollment
- Mobile app for parents and staff enhances accessibility
Cons
- Pricing can be steep for very small centers
- Some advanced customizations require additional fees
- Occasional reports of slower customer support response times
Best For
Mid-sized daycare centers seeking an integrated enrollment and management system without needing extensive IT support.
Pricing
Starts at $129/month for up to 50 children, scaling to custom enterprise plans; includes a free trial.
EZChildTrack
specializedEZChildTrack supports daycare enrollment with features for registration, waitlists, and compliance reporting.
Seamless online enrollment forms with automated waitlist management
EZChildTrack is a web-based childcare management software focused on simplifying daycare enrollment, attendance tracking, billing, and parent communication. It provides online enrollment forms, child profiles, automated invoicing, and a parent portal for real-time updates. Primarily suited for small to medium-sized daycare centers, it emphasizes ease of setup and compliance with basic state regulations.
Pros
- Affordable pricing for small centers
- Intuitive interface with quick setup
- Effective parent portal for enrollment and updates
Cons
- Limited integrations with third-party tools
- Basic reporting lacks advanced customization
- Mobile app is functional but not as robust as competitors
Best For
Small daycare providers seeking a straightforward, budget-friendly enrollment and daily management solution without complex needs.
Pricing
Starts at $49/month for up to 50 children; scales to $199+/month for larger centers with per-child add-ons.
Conclusion
After evaluating the leading options, the top daycare enrollment tools prove essential for streamlining operations and boosting parent engagement. Brightwheel, our #1 pick, shines with its comprehensive suite covering enrollment, payments, and communication. Procare Software and HiMama follow as strong alternatives, each offering unique strengths—from advanced family billing to mobile-first management—ensuring quality options for diverse needs. Ultimately, the best choice aligns with specific daycare requirements, but the top three deliver exceptional value.
Explore Brightwheel to simplify enrollment and strengthen your daycare’s administrative and parent communication workflows today.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison