Quick Overview
- 1#1: Brightwheel - All-in-one mobile platform for family day care providers to manage attendance, billing, daily reports, and parent communication.
- 2#2: Procare Solutions - Comprehensive childcare management software with advanced billing, attendance tracking, and family engagement tools suitable for home-based providers.
- 3#3: HiMama - Documentation and communication app that helps family day care educators capture moments, share updates, and gain insights into child development.
- 4#4: Tadpoles - User-friendly app for family child care to log attendance, meals, naps, and photos while keeping parents informed in real-time.
- 5#5: EZChildTrack - Affordable, easy-to-use software for home day cares handling scheduling, invoicing, attendance, and state compliance reporting.
- 6#6: Childcare Manager - Tailored solution for family day care providers featuring child tracking, billing, lesson planning, and parent portals.
- 7#7: Lillio - Streamlined childcare platform for small providers with check-in/out, payments, messaging, and curriculum tools.
- 8#8: Famly - Modern management app for day cares offering bookings, invoicing, staff scheduling, and seamless parent communication.
- 9#9: Storypark - Learning journey platform enabling family day care providers to document progress, share observations, and collaborate with parents.
- 10#10: Xplor Home - Cloud-based childcare software with attendance, billing, rosters, and compliance features adaptable for family providers.
These tools were chosen based on core features, usability, reliability, and cost-effectiveness, ensuring they deliver value across functionality, ease of integration, and support for family day care specific workflows.
Comparison Table
Explore a curated comparison of leading family day care software tools, including Brightwheel, Procare Solutions, HiMama, Tadpoles, EZChildTrack, and more, to simplify operational management and strengthen parent engagement. This table outlines key features, usability insights, and standout benefits, equipping you to select the ideal platform for your day care’s specific requirements.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brightwheel All-in-one mobile platform for family day care providers to manage attendance, billing, daily reports, and parent communication. | specialized | 9.6/10 | 9.5/10 | 9.7/10 | 9.4/10 |
| 2 | Procare Solutions Comprehensive childcare management software with advanced billing, attendance tracking, and family engagement tools suitable for home-based providers. | specialized | 9.2/10 | 9.5/10 | 8.8/10 | 9.0/10 |
| 3 | HiMama Documentation and communication app that helps family day care educators capture moments, share updates, and gain insights into child development. | specialized | 8.7/10 | 9.1/10 | 8.5/10 | 8.2/10 |
| 4 | Tadpoles User-friendly app for family child care to log attendance, meals, naps, and photos while keeping parents informed in real-time. | specialized | 8.3/10 | 8.4/10 | 9.1/10 | 8.2/10 |
| 5 | EZChildTrack Affordable, easy-to-use software for home day cares handling scheduling, invoicing, attendance, and state compliance reporting. | specialized | 8.2/10 | 8.0/10 | 8.5/10 | 9.0/10 |
| 6 | Childcare Manager Tailored solution for family day care providers featuring child tracking, billing, lesson planning, and parent portals. | specialized | 8.2/10 | 8.5/10 | 8.0/10 | 7.8/10 |
| 7 | Lillio Streamlined childcare platform for small providers with check-in/out, payments, messaging, and curriculum tools. | specialized | 8.2/10 | 8.5/10 | 8.7/10 | 7.8/10 |
| 8 | Famly Modern management app for day cares offering bookings, invoicing, staff scheduling, and seamless parent communication. | specialized | 8.1/10 | 8.4/10 | 7.9/10 | 7.7/10 |
| 9 | Storypark Learning journey platform enabling family day care providers to document progress, share observations, and collaborate with parents. | specialized | 7.8/10 | 8.2/10 | 8.5/10 | 7.0/10 |
| 10 | Xplor Home Cloud-based childcare software with attendance, billing, rosters, and compliance features adaptable for family providers. | specialized | 7.6/10 | 7.4/10 | 8.1/10 | 7.0/10 |
All-in-one mobile platform for family day care providers to manage attendance, billing, daily reports, and parent communication.
Comprehensive childcare management software with advanced billing, attendance tracking, and family engagement tools suitable for home-based providers.
Documentation and communication app that helps family day care educators capture moments, share updates, and gain insights into child development.
User-friendly app for family child care to log attendance, meals, naps, and photos while keeping parents informed in real-time.
Affordable, easy-to-use software for home day cares handling scheduling, invoicing, attendance, and state compliance reporting.
Tailored solution for family day care providers featuring child tracking, billing, lesson planning, and parent portals.
Streamlined childcare platform for small providers with check-in/out, payments, messaging, and curriculum tools.
Modern management app for day cares offering bookings, invoicing, staff scheduling, and seamless parent communication.
Learning journey platform enabling family day care providers to document progress, share observations, and collaborate with parents.
Cloud-based childcare software with attendance, billing, rosters, and compliance features adaptable for family providers.
Brightwheel
specializedAll-in-one mobile platform for family day care providers to manage attendance, billing, daily reports, and parent communication.
Daily digital reports and photo sharing sent directly to parents' phones for instant engagement.
Brightwheel is an all-in-one childcare management software tailored for family day care providers, offering tools for attendance tracking, daily reporting, billing, and lesson planning. It features a user-friendly mobile app that enables seamless communication with parents via photos, updates, and messaging. The platform also includes child assessments, staff scheduling, and financial reporting to streamline home-based daycare operations.
Pros
- Intuitive mobile app with real-time parent communication
- Comprehensive billing and payment processing
- Robust reporting and child progress tracking
Cons
- Advanced features require higher-tier plans
- Limited customization for very small providers
- Occasional app glitches during peak usage
Best For
Family day care providers seeking an intuitive, mobile-first platform to manage operations, engage parents, and handle billing efficiently.
Pricing
Free Essential plan for basics; Combo ($13/provider/month), Plus ($20/provider/month), and Premium ($39/provider/month) with more features.
Procare Solutions
specializedComprehensive childcare management software with advanced billing, attendance tracking, and family engagement tools suitable for home-based providers.
Procare One-Click Billing™ for effortless automated invoicing and collections directly integrated with child attendance data
Procare Solutions is a robust childcare management software tailored for family day care providers, offering tools for attendance tracking, automated billing, and family engagement. It streamlines daily operations with features like parent portals, staff scheduling, and compliance reporting, making it suitable for home-based childcare businesses. The cloud-based platform provides mobile access for real-time updates on child check-ins, payments, and communication.
Pros
- Advanced automated billing and payment processing tailored for childcare
- Comprehensive parent portal and mobile app for seamless communication
- Extensive reporting and compliance tools for regulatory adherence
Cons
- Initial setup and customization can be time-intensive
- Pricing may feel steep for very small single-home operations
- Some advanced features geared more toward larger centers
Best For
Family day care providers managing 5-20 children who prioritize financial automation and scalable growth.
Pricing
Subscription-based with custom quotes; typically starts at $129/month for basic family day care plans, scaling with child count and add-ons.
HiMama
specializedDocumentation and communication app that helps family day care educators capture moments, share updates, and gain insights into child development.
HiMama Portfolios: Automated, shareable digital journals compiling observations, media, and milestones into professional child progress stories.
HiMama is a cloud-based childcare management software tailored for family day cares and small early learning providers, offering tools for daily documentation, parent communication, and child progress tracking. It allows educators to create digital daily sheets, build multimedia portfolios with photos, videos, and observations, and share updates instantly via a parent app. The platform also handles attendance, invoicing, and basic curriculum planning, making it suitable for home-based operations seeking to professionalize their documentation and family engagement.
Pros
- Seamless parent app for real-time updates and engagement
- Comprehensive digital portfolios for child development tracking
- Mobile-first design ideal for family day care providers on the go
Cons
- Pricing scales per child, which can be costly for growing groups
- Limited advanced reporting and customization options
- Occasional sync delays between app and web dashboard
Best For
Family day care operators who prioritize strong parent communication and easy digital documentation over complex administrative tools.
Pricing
Starts at $12-15 per child per month (billed annually), with tiered plans and custom quotes for larger providers; free trial available.
Tadpoles
specializedUser-friendly app for family child care to log attendance, meals, naps, and photos while keeping parents informed in real-time.
Automated, customizable daily sheets that compile activities, photos, and health checks into instant parent reports
Tadpoles is a user-friendly childcare management software tailored for family day cares and home-based providers, focusing on streamlining daily operations like attendance tracking, parent communication, and activity logging. It automates the creation of personalized daily reports sent directly to parents via app or email, including photos, meals, naps, and milestones. The platform also supports billing, compliance tracking, and basic scheduling, making it efficient for small-scale operations.
Pros
- Seamless parent communication with real-time updates and photo sharing
- Quick and automated daily report generation saves time
- Affordable and scalable pricing for family day cares
Cons
- Limited advanced scheduling and staff management tools
- Reporting customization is basic compared to enterprise solutions
- Customer support response times can vary
Best For
Family day care providers who prioritize simple daily reporting and parent engagement over complex multi-site management.
Pricing
Free for up to 5 children; Pro plan at $9/child/month (min 6 children) or $29/provider/month unlimited.
EZChildTrack
specializedAffordable, easy-to-use software for home day cares handling scheduling, invoicing, attendance, and state compliance reporting.
Touchless QR code sign-in/out via mobile app for quick, secure attendance tracking
EZChildTrack is a cloud-based software designed specifically for family day care providers, streamlining attendance tracking, billing, scheduling, and daily child care documentation. It features electronic sign-in/out, automated invoicing, meal and nap logs, and state-specific compliance reports to simplify regulatory requirements. The platform also includes a parent portal and mobile app for real-time updates, payments, and communication between providers and families.
Pros
- Affordable pricing with unlimited children and families
- Intuitive interface ideal for non-tech-savvy users
- Robust parent communication tools including a dedicated app
Cons
- Limited advanced reporting and analytics compared to enterprise tools
- Customization options are basic
- Occasional mobile app sync delays reported by users
Best For
Solo or small family day care providers seeking a cost-effective, straightforward solution for daily operations and compliance.
Pricing
Starts at $25/month for the basic plan (unlimited users), with premium features at $45/month; free trial available.
Childcare Manager
specializedTailored solution for family day care providers featuring child tracking, billing, lesson planning, and parent portals.
Integrated CCS subsidy claiming with automated compliance reports
Childcare Manager is a cloud-based platform tailored for Australian childcare providers, including family day care educators, offering tools for attendance tracking, roster management, invoicing, and CCS subsidy claims. It features a parent app for real-time updates, communication, and payments, alongside compliance reporting to meet regulatory requirements. The software simplifies daily operations for small to medium providers with automated workflows and mobile accessibility.
Pros
- Strong Australian compliance and CCS integration
- User-friendly parent app and mobile access
- Automated invoicing and attendance tracking
Cons
- Limited international applicability outside Australia
- Initial setup can be time-consuming
- Higher pricing tiers add up for solo providers
Best For
Australian family day care educators needing robust subsidy claiming and compliance tools with parent communication features.
Pricing
Starts at $19/week for Basic (1 educator), $29/week for Pro (up to 5), and custom Enterprise plans.
Lillio
specializedStreamlined childcare platform for small providers with check-in/out, payments, messaging, and curriculum tools.
The real-time parent app with secure photo/video sharing and instant notifications
Lillio is a cloud-based childcare management software designed for family day cares, preschools, and home-based providers, streamlining daily operations like attendance tracking, billing, and child progress documentation. It excels in parent engagement through a dedicated mobile app that shares real-time photos, videos, daily sheets, and milestone updates. The platform also offers lesson planning tools, compliance reporting, and touchless check-in features to support regulatory needs in family childcare settings.
Pros
- Intuitive parent app for seamless real-time communication and updates
- Comprehensive daily sheets and attendance tracking tailored for small groups
- Strong compliance tools and customizable reports for family day care regulations
Cons
- Pricing scales per child, which can add up for larger family day cares
- Some advanced customization requires higher-tier plans
- Occasional mobile app glitches reported by users
Best For
Ideal for small to medium family day care providers prioritizing parent engagement and daily documentation over enterprise-scale features.
Pricing
Starts at $12 per child per month (Starter plan); higher tiers like Essentials ($16/child) and Premium ($20+/child) unlock advanced features; custom quotes available.
Famly
specializedModern management app for day cares offering bookings, invoicing, staff scheduling, and seamless parent communication.
The all-in-one parent app for seamless real-time updates, messaging, and payments
Famly is a cloud-based childcare management software tailored for nurseries, preschools, and family day care providers, offering tools for attendance tracking, billing, and child observations. It features a user-friendly parent app for real-time communication, payments, and updates on children's activities. The platform supports compliance reporting and staff scheduling, making it suitable for home-based family day cares managing small groups.
Pros
- Strong parent engagement via dedicated mobile app
- Comprehensive child development tracking and learning journals
- Automated billing and attendance integration
Cons
- Pricing scales quickly with number of children
- Steeper learning curve for advanced reporting features
- Limited customization options for very small home setups
Best For
Family day care providers seeking robust parent communication and operational efficiency in a home-based setting.
Pricing
Custom pricing starting at around $79/month for small providers, billed per child or location with add-ons.
Storypark
specializedLearning journey platform enabling family day care providers to document progress, share observations, and collaborate with parents.
Interactive learning stories that parents can view, comment on, and contribute to in real-time
Storypark is a digital platform designed for early childhood educators, including family day care providers, to document children's learning through photos, videos, observations, and stories shared in real-time with families. It emphasizes parent engagement, allowing feedback and two-way communication while aligning with frameworks like EYLF for compliance. For family day care, it excels in building digital portfolios but offers limited administrative tools like billing or rostering.
Pros
- Excellent parent communication and real-time sharing
- User-friendly mobile app for on-the-go documentation
- Strong alignment with early childhood learning frameworks
Cons
- No built-in billing, invoicing, or attendance tracking
- Limited customization for family day care admin needs
- Pricing scales with child numbers, costly for small providers
Best For
Family day care providers focused on documentation, parent engagement, and learning stories rather than comprehensive business management.
Pricing
Subscription-based at ~$5-8 per child per month (educator-paid, free for families), with minimums and scaling plans.
Xplor Home
specializedCloud-based childcare software with attendance, billing, rosters, and compliance features adaptable for family providers.
The dedicated Family App for parents, enabling instant access to attendance, daily sheets, and secure payments from mobile devices.
Xplor Home is a cloud-based childcare management software designed specifically for family day care providers, offering tools for attendance tracking, billing, and parent communication. It includes a mobile app for parents to receive real-time updates, photos, and daily reports, while providers can manage rosters, generate invoices, and ensure regulatory compliance. The platform emphasizes simplifying daily operations in home-based childcare settings with features like automated payments and customizable lesson plans.
Pros
- User-friendly parent app with real-time updates and photo sharing
- Automated billing and payment processing tailored for family day cares
- Strong compliance reporting for state regulations
Cons
- Pricing can be steep for solo providers
- Limited third-party integrations compared to competitors
- Some advanced customization requires higher tiers
Best For
Ideal for small family day care operators seeking seamless parent engagement and straightforward administrative tools.
Pricing
Starts at $129/month for basic family day care plans, with tiered pricing up to $299+/month based on capacity and features; custom quotes available.
Conclusion
Evaluating the top 10 family day care software tools reveals a range of solutions designed to simplify operations, strengthen parent relationships, and support child growth. At the pinnacle, Brightwheel shines as the top choice, with an all-in-one mobile platform that effortlessly handles attendance, billing, and communication. Strong alternatives like Procare Solutions and HiMama also impress—Procare for its comprehensive features and HiMama for its focus on capturing child development progress, ensuring there’s a fit for every provider’s unique needs.
Explore Brightwheel to experience an all-in-one solution that streamlines daily tasks, enhances parent engagement, and helps grow your day care with ease.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison