Quick Overview
- 1#1: Brightwheel - All-in-one preschool management platform for attendance, billing, parent communication, and daily updates.
- 2#2: Procare - Robust child care software handling enrollment, payments, attendance tracking, and staff scheduling for preschools.
- 3#3: HiMama - Child care app focused on documentation, curriculum planning, family engagement, and health tracking for preschools.
- 4#4: Lillio - Streamlined preschool management tool for check-in, messaging, invoicing, and lesson planning.
- 5#5: KinderConnect - Comprehensive solution for child care billing, attendance, parent portals, and compliance reporting.
- 6#6: Tadpoles - Daily reporting and communication app for preschools to share photos, updates, and developmental milestones with parents.
- 7#7: Famly - Cloud-based preschool software for bookings, payments, attendance, and real-time parent updates.
- 8#8: Jackrabbit Care - Management system for child care centers offering scheduling, billing, and family management tools.
- 9#9: ChildCare Manager - Affordable preschool software for tracking attendance, tuition, and child information securely.
- 10#10: Storypark - Learning journey platform for preschools to document progress, share with parents, and support curriculum.
These tools were selected based on a balance of key features (including attendance tracking, billing, and parent communication), ease of use, reliability, and overall value, ensuring they meet the needs of both small and large preschools.
Comparison Table
This comparison table outlines key features and functionalities of leading preschool management software, including Brightwheel, Procare, HiMama, Lillio, KinderConnect, and other notable tools. It guides readers to evaluate options based on needs such as parent communication, daily activity tracking, billing, and administrative efficiency. By exploring these platforms side-by-side, users can identify the best fit for their preschool’s operational and educational goals.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brightwheel All-in-one preschool management platform for attendance, billing, parent communication, and daily updates. | specialized | 9.4/10 | 9.6/10 | 9.2/10 | 9.0/10 |
| 2 | Procare Robust child care software handling enrollment, payments, attendance tracking, and staff scheduling for preschools. | specialized | 9.1/10 | 9.4/10 | 8.2/10 | 8.7/10 |
| 3 | HiMama Child care app focused on documentation, curriculum planning, family engagement, and health tracking for preschools. | specialized | 8.8/10 | 9.1/10 | 9.0/10 | 8.2/10 |
| 4 | Lillio Streamlined preschool management tool for check-in, messaging, invoicing, and lesson planning. | specialized | 8.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.5/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 5 | KinderConnect Comprehensive solution for child care billing, attendance, parent portals, and compliance reporting. | specialized | 8.4/10 | 8.6/10 | 8.5/10 | 8.2/10 |
| 6 | Tadpoles Daily reporting and communication app for preschools to share photos, updates, and developmental milestones with parents. | specialized | 8.4/10 | 8.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 7 | Famly Cloud-based preschool software for bookings, payments, attendance, and real-time parent updates. | specialized | 8.4/10 | 8.7/10 | 9.1/10 | 7.8/10 |
| 8 | Jackrabbit Care Management system for child care centers offering scheduling, billing, and family management tools. | specialized | 8.4/10 | 8.7/10 | 8.9/10 | 7.9/10 |
| 9 | ChildCare Manager Affordable preschool software for tracking attendance, tuition, and child information securely. | specialized | 7.8/10 | 8.0/10 | 7.5/10 | 7.6/10 |
| 10 | Storypark Learning journey platform for preschools to document progress, share with parents, and support curriculum. | specialized | 7.4/10 | 7.8/10 | 8.7/10 | 7.0/10 |
All-in-one preschool management platform for attendance, billing, parent communication, and daily updates.
Robust child care software handling enrollment, payments, attendance tracking, and staff scheduling for preschools.
Child care app focused on documentation, curriculum planning, family engagement, and health tracking for preschools.
Streamlined preschool management tool for check-in, messaging, invoicing, and lesson planning.
Comprehensive solution for child care billing, attendance, parent portals, and compliance reporting.
Daily reporting and communication app for preschools to share photos, updates, and developmental milestones with parents.
Cloud-based preschool software for bookings, payments, attendance, and real-time parent updates.
Management system for child care centers offering scheduling, billing, and family management tools.
Affordable preschool software for tracking attendance, tuition, and child information securely.
Learning journey platform for preschools to document progress, share with parents, and support curriculum.
Brightwheel
specializedAll-in-one preschool management platform for attendance, billing, parent communication, and daily updates.
The dedicated parent app for instant photo sharing, daily reports, and two-way messaging
Brightwheel is a comprehensive all-in-one childcare management platform tailored for preschools, daycares, and early education centers. It streamlines operations with features like attendance tracking, secure check-in/out, billing and payments, staff scheduling, and lesson planning. The standout parent engagement app allows real-time communication, photo sharing, daily reports, and updates, fostering strong family connections. Additionally, it provides robust reporting, compliance tools, and professional development resources for educators.
Pros
- Intuitive mobile-first app for teachers, parents, and admins
- Excellent parent communication tools including messaging and updates
- Comprehensive billing, attendance, and reporting capabilities
Cons
- Pricing scales with number of children, which can be costly for larger centers
- Some advanced features require higher-tier plans
- Occasional glitches reported in the mobile app during peak usage
Best For
Preschool owners and directors managing medium to large programs who prioritize parent engagement and operational efficiency.
Pricing
Starts at $12 per child per month for Essentials plan; higher tiers like Plus ($16/child/mo) and Premium (custom) add advanced features; free for single users.
Procare
specializedRobust child care software handling enrollment, payments, attendance tracking, and staff scheduling for preschools.
Integrated tuition billing with automatic fee calculations, late payments, and direct bank/credit card processing
Procare Software is a veteran child care management platform tailored for preschools, daycare centers, and early education providers. It handles core functions like child enrollment, daily attendance tracking via kiosks or apps, automated tuition billing, and family payments. The system also includes staff scheduling, parent communication tools, and compliance reporting to streamline operations and ensure regulatory adherence.
Pros
- Robust automated billing and payment processing with built-in accounting
- Comprehensive parent app for real-time updates, payments, and check-in
- Detailed reporting for licensing, grants, and operational insights
Cons
- User interface feels dated and less intuitive than modern competitors
- Initial setup and training can be time-intensive
- Pricing scales quickly for larger centers or additional modules
Best For
Mid-sized preschools and child care centers prioritizing advanced financial management and billing automation.
Pricing
Starts at $129/month for up to 50 children (Essentials plan), with Premium and Enterprise tiers scaling by enrollment size and features.
HiMama
specializedChild care app focused on documentation, curriculum planning, family engagement, and health tracking for preschools.
Automated daily reports with secure photo/video sharing directly to parents' mobile app
HiMama is a cloud-based preschool management software tailored for early childhood centers, focusing on daily child documentation, parent communication, and administrative tasks. It enables teachers to create digital daily reports with photos and videos, build developmental portfolios, track attendance, manage billing, and schedule staff—all accessible via a user-friendly mobile app. The platform emphasizes family engagement, helping preschools foster transparency and support child growth through shared insights.
Pros
- Exceptional parent communication tools with real-time photo/video sharing
- Comprehensive child development tracking and portfolio building
- Intuitive mobile app for teachers and parents alike
Cons
- Pricing scales quickly for larger centers
- Limited advanced customization options for reports
- Integrations with some third-party billing systems are basic
Best For
Small to medium-sized preschools and daycares that prioritize strong parent engagement and easy child progress documentation.
Pricing
Subscription-based starting at ~$12/child/month, with custom enterprise pricing for larger programs including add-ons.
Lillio
specializedStreamlined preschool management tool for check-in, messaging, invoicing, and lesson planning.
The parent engagement app that delivers personalized daily updates, photos, and milestone tracking directly to families' phones
Lillio is an all-in-one childcare management platform designed specifically for preschools, daycare centers, and early learning programs. It streamlines daily operations with tools for attendance tracking, staff scheduling, billing, and compliance reporting. The software excels in parent engagement through a mobile app that shares real-time updates, photos, and developmental insights, while also supporting curriculum planning and child assessments.
Pros
- Robust parent communication via a dedicated mobile app with daily reports and photos
- Comprehensive tools for curriculum planning, child assessments, and portfolios
- Integrated billing, attendance, and staff scheduling for efficient operations
Cons
- Pricing can become costly for larger programs or those with many children
- Steep learning curve for advanced features like custom assessments
- Limited reporting customization compared to enterprise competitors
Best For
Small to medium-sized preschools and daycare centers prioritizing parent engagement and daily documentation.
Pricing
Custom quote-based pricing, typically starting at $100-$300/month for small programs, scaling with the number of children and features selected.
KinderConnect
specializedComprehensive solution for child care billing, attendance, parent portals, and compliance reporting.
KinderCast parent app with photo/video sharing and voice-to-text attendance logging
KinderConnect is a cloud-based preschool management software tailored for childcare centers, offering tools for daily attendance tracking, automated billing, and parent communication through a dedicated mobile app. It supports staff scheduling, lesson planning aligned with early childhood standards, and compliance reporting to simplify administrative tasks. The platform emphasizes family engagement, allowing parents to view real-time updates on their child's activities, meals, and progress.
Pros
- Strong parent portal and mobile app for real-time communication
- Comprehensive billing and payment processing with QuickBooks integration
- Customizable curriculum tools and compliance reporting
Cons
- Limited third-party integrations beyond core accounting tools
- Occasional glitches in mobile attendance check-in during peak hours
- Higher pricing tiers for small centers with fewer than 50 children
Best For
Mid-sized preschools and childcare centers prioritizing parent engagement and streamlined daily operations.
Pricing
Starts at $125/month for up to 50 children, scaling to $3-5 per child/month for larger centers, with custom enterprise quotes.
Tadpoles
specializedDaily reporting and communication app for preschools to share photos, updates, and developmental milestones with parents.
Automated, customizable daily digital reports sent directly to parents' phones with photos, videos, and milestone insights
Tadpoles is a cloud-based preschool management software focused on enhancing parent-teacher communication through real-time daily reports, photos, videos, and updates on children's activities, meals, naps, and milestones. It offers tools for attendance tracking, class rostering, and basic administrative functions tailored for early childhood centers. The platform emphasizes mobile accessibility with dedicated apps for teachers and parents, fostering transparency and engagement in preschool environments.
Pros
- Exceptional parent communication tools with customizable daily reports and multimedia sharing
- Intuitive mobile apps for teachers and parents, enabling quick updates on the go
- Strong child documentation for portfolios, attendance, and developmental tracking
Cons
- Limited advanced financial and billing capabilities compared to full-suite competitors
- Lacks robust staff scheduling and HR management features
- Scalability challenges for very large multi-site preschools
Best For
Small to medium-sized preschools and daycares that prioritize seamless parent engagement and daily child progress sharing over comprehensive business management.
Pricing
Starts at $6 per child per month (billed annually), with tiered plans and volume discounts for larger enrollments; free trial available.
Famly
specializedCloud-based preschool software for bookings, payments, attendance, and real-time parent updates.
The integrated parent app providing real-time daily updates, photos, and two-way communication
Famly is a comprehensive childcare management platform tailored for preschools, nurseries, and kindergartens, offering tools for attendance tracking, billing, staff scheduling, and child observations. It emphasizes parent engagement through a dedicated mobile app that shares real-time updates, photos, and learning journals. The software streamlines daily operations while supporting regulatory compliance and child development tracking.
Pros
- Highly intuitive mobile app for parents and staff enhancing communication
- Robust tools for child observations, attendance, and invoicing
- Strong support for compliance and daily preschool operations
Cons
- Pricing scales quickly with number of children, less ideal for very small centers
- Limited native integrations with third-party tools
- Advanced reporting features can feel basic without customization
Best For
Small to medium-sized preschools prioritizing parent engagement and streamlined daily management.
Pricing
Subscription-based starting at around £59/month (~$75 USD) for up to 50 children, plus ~£1 per additional child; custom quotes required.
Jackrabbit Care
specializedManagement system for child care centers offering scheduling, billing, and family management tools.
Advanced family billing that prorates tuition based on enrollment dates and handles multi-child discounts automatically
Jackrabbit Care is a cloud-based management platform tailored for childcare centers, preschools, and after-school programs, offering tools for enrollment, attendance tracking, billing, and scheduling. It features a robust parent portal for real-time updates, online payments, and communication, alongside staff tools for daily operations and reporting. The software supports multi-location management and integrates with QuickBooks for seamless financial handling.
Pros
- Intuitive parent portal with mobile app for check-in/out and updates
- Comprehensive billing and automated invoicing with family-based pricing
- Strong reporting and analytics for attendance, enrollment, and finances
Cons
- Pricing scales quickly with student numbers, less ideal for very small centers
- Limited built-in customization for forms and workflows
- Customer support can be slower during peak times
Best For
Mid-sized preschools and childcare centers seeking an all-in-one solution with excellent parent engagement features.
Pricing
Custom quotes starting at ~$115/month base + $5-8 per student/month; includes implementation fees.
ChildCare Manager
specializedAffordable preschool software for tracking attendance, tuition, and child information securely.
Integrated online billing that automates invoicing, reminders, and multi-payment options directly within the platform
ChildCare Manager is a cloud-based preschool management software designed to streamline operations for childcare centers, including enrollment, daily attendance tracking, billing, and staff scheduling. It features a dedicated parent portal for real-time updates on child activities, payments, and communication, reducing administrative burdens. The platform also supports compliance reporting and basic accounting, making it suitable for small to mid-sized preschools.
Pros
- Comprehensive billing and automated invoicing with payment processing integration
- User-friendly parent app for attendance check-ins and updates
- Reliable attendance and enrollment tracking with daily reports
Cons
- Limited third-party integrations compared to top competitors
- Interface feels dated in some areas, impacting advanced customization
- Customer support response times can be inconsistent for non-priority users
Best For
Small to medium preschools needing straightforward billing and parent communication tools without advanced customization.
Pricing
Starts at $99/month for up to 50 children, with plans scaling to $199+/month for larger centers including add-ons like payroll.
Storypark
specializedLearning journey platform for preschools to document progress, share with parents, and support curriculum.
Interactive learning stories that connect child observations directly to curriculum outcomes and enable parent contributions
Storypark is a digital learning journal platform tailored for early childhood education, enabling educators to document children's progress through photos, videos, observations, and stories linked to curriculum frameworks. It fosters strong family partnerships by allowing secure sharing with parents, who can contribute updates and insights into their child's learning. While excelling in documentation and communication, it provides limited support for broader preschool management tasks like billing, enrollment, or staff scheduling.
Pros
- Exceptional tools for creating digital learning portfolios and observations
- Seamless real-time parent communication and family engagement
- Mobile app supports on-the-go documentation and compliance with ECE standards
Cons
- Missing key admin features like billing, attendance tracking, and enrollment management
- Reporting and analytics are basic compared to full management suites
- Per-child pricing can become expensive for larger preschools
Best For
Small to medium preschools prioritizing learning documentation, curriculum alignment, and parent involvement over comprehensive administrative management.
Pricing
Subscription-based at approximately $6-10 AUD per child per month, with tiers based on center size; free for families.
Conclusion
Amidst a strong field of preschool management tools, Brightwheel emerges as the top choice, excelling in its all-in-one approach. Procare stands out for its robust operational features, and HiMama shines with its focus on documentation and family engagement—each offering compelling alternatives based on specific needs. Regardless of selection, these tools elevate daily operations and parent communication.
Take the first step toward smoother management: explore Brightwheel today to unlock its comprehensive benefits for your preschool.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison