Quick Overview
- 1#1: Brightwheel - All-in-one childcare management platform for attendance tracking, billing, parent communication, and lesson planning in preschools.
- 2#2: Procare Solutions - Comprehensive childcare software handling enrollment, payments, staff scheduling, and family engagement for preschool operations.
- 3#3: Lillio - Early childhood platform for daily reporting, child assessments, and secure parent-teacher communication in preschools.
- 4#4: Famly - Cloud-based childcare management tool for attendance, invoicing, staff management, and parent updates across preschools.
- 5#5: Teaching Strategies - Curriculum and assessment software like GOLD for tracking preschool child development and planning personalized learning.
- 6#6: Jackrabbit Class - Class management software for preschool and enrichment programs with registration, payments, and attendance features.
- 7#7: Tadpoles - Parent communication app for preschools to share photos, updates, attendance, and developmental milestones securely.
- 8#8: ClassDojo - Classroom management tool for preschool behavior tracking, parent messaging, and building positive school communities.
- 9#9: Seesaw - Digital platform for preschool student portfolios, assignments, and family engagement to showcase learning progress.
- 10#10: Storypark - Learning journal app for preschools to document children's achievements, share with parents, and support curriculum planning.
We evaluated tools based on feature depth, ease of use, reliability, and overall value, prioritizing those that excel in balancing essential functionalities like communication, management, and developmental tracking to support seamless preschool operations.
Comparison Table
This comparison table explores key features of popular preschool software, including Brightwheel, Procare Solutions, Lillio, Famly, Teaching Strategies, and more, to guide caregivers and educators in selecting the right tool. Readers will learn about communication tools, lesson planning features, parent engagement options, and operational efficiency to match their program's unique needs.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brightwheel All-in-one childcare management platform for attendance tracking, billing, parent communication, and lesson planning in preschools. | enterprise | 9.7/10 | 9.8/10 | 9.5/10 | 9.4/10 |
| 2 | Procare Solutions Comprehensive childcare software handling enrollment, payments, staff scheduling, and family engagement for preschool operations. | enterprise | 9.2/10 | 9.5/10 | 8.7/10 | 8.9/10 |
| 3 | Lillio Early childhood platform for daily reporting, child assessments, and secure parent-teacher communication in preschools. | specialized | 8.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.4/10 | 8.1/10 |
| 4 | Famly Cloud-based childcare management tool for attendance, invoicing, staff management, and parent updates across preschools. | enterprise | 8.7/10 | 9.0/10 | 8.5/10 | 8.4/10 |
| 5 | Teaching Strategies Curriculum and assessment software like GOLD for tracking preschool child development and planning personalized learning. | specialized | 8.4/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.0/10 | 7.8/10 |
| 6 | Jackrabbit Class Class management software for preschool and enrichment programs with registration, payments, and attendance features. | enterprise | 8.2/10 | 8.7/10 | 7.8/10 | 7.9/10 |
| 7 | Tadpoles Parent communication app for preschools to share photos, updates, attendance, and developmental milestones securely. | specialized | 8.1/10 | 8.5/10 | 8.3/10 | 7.8/10 |
| 8 | ClassDojo Classroom management tool for preschool behavior tracking, parent messaging, and building positive school communities. | specialized | 8.2/10 | 8.5/10 | 9.3/10 | 9.6/10 |
| 9 | Seesaw Digital platform for preschool student portfolios, assignments, and family engagement to showcase learning progress. | specialized | 8.4/10 | 8.2/10 | 9.3/10 | 8.9/10 |
| 10 | Storypark Learning journal app for preschools to document children's achievements, share with parents, and support curriculum planning. | specialized | 8.1/10 | 8.4/10 | 8.2/10 | 7.7/10 |
All-in-one childcare management platform for attendance tracking, billing, parent communication, and lesson planning in preschools.
Comprehensive childcare software handling enrollment, payments, staff scheduling, and family engagement for preschool operations.
Early childhood platform for daily reporting, child assessments, and secure parent-teacher communication in preschools.
Cloud-based childcare management tool for attendance, invoicing, staff management, and parent updates across preschools.
Curriculum and assessment software like GOLD for tracking preschool child development and planning personalized learning.
Class management software for preschool and enrichment programs with registration, payments, and attendance features.
Parent communication app for preschools to share photos, updates, attendance, and developmental milestones securely.
Classroom management tool for preschool behavior tracking, parent messaging, and building positive school communities.
Digital platform for preschool student portfolios, assignments, and family engagement to showcase learning progress.
Learning journal app for preschools to document children's achievements, share with parents, and support curriculum planning.
Brightwheel
enterpriseAll-in-one childcare management platform for attendance tracking, billing, parent communication, and lesson planning in preschools.
The dedicated parent app for real-time daily reports, photos, videos, and messaging that builds strong family partnerships.
Brightwheel is a comprehensive all-in-one management platform tailored for preschools, child care centers, and early education programs. It handles essential operations like attendance tracking, staff scheduling, billing and payments, lesson planning, and child assessments. The standout parent app enables real-time sharing of photos, videos, daily reports, and secure messaging to strengthen family engagement.
Pros
- Extensive parent communication tools including photo/video sharing and instant updates
- Integrated billing with automated invoicing and multiple payment options
- User-friendly mobile apps for staff, parents, and directors with robust reporting
Cons
- Pricing can be steep for very small programs
- Advanced features require higher-tier plans
- Occasional sync issues reported in high-volume usage
Best For
Preschools and child care centers seeking a scalable, mobile-first solution for operations and parent engagement.
Pricing
Free basic plan; premium tiers (Essential, Plus, Premium) start at $10/child/month (billed annually), scaling with features and child count.
Procare Solutions
enterpriseComprehensive childcare software handling enrollment, payments, staff scheduling, and family engagement for preschool operations.
Integrated tuition billing and automated payment collections with built-in POS for fees
Procare Solutions is a robust child care management software tailored for preschools, daycares, and early childhood centers, handling everything from attendance tracking and family billing to staff scheduling and compliance reporting. It features a parent engagement app for real-time updates, secure check-in/out, and customizable forms to streamline daily operations. With strong integrations for payments and accounting, it's built to scale for centers of various sizes while ensuring regulatory compliance.
Pros
- Comprehensive billing and payment processing with QuickBooks integration
- Intuitive mobile app for parents and staff communication
- Advanced attendance tracking and touchless check-in options
Cons
- Higher pricing for smaller centers
- Steeper learning curve for advanced features
- Limited free trial period
Best For
Mid-to-large preschools and child care centers prioritizing billing accuracy, compliance, and parent engagement.
Pricing
Starts at $129/month for up to 100 children, with per-child fees scaling for larger centers; includes one-time setup costs.
Lillio
specializedEarly childhood platform for daily reporting, child assessments, and secure parent-teacher communication in preschools.
Automated daily sheets and real-time parent portal for seamless family-teacher communication
Lillio is a comprehensive preschool management software tailored for child care centers and preschools, offering tools for attendance tracking, billing, staff scheduling, and curriculum planning. It features a robust parent engagement app that delivers real-time updates, daily reports, photos, and communication between teachers and families. The platform also supports compliance reporting, lesson planning, and professional development resources to streamline daily operations.
Pros
- Intuitive parent app with real-time updates and photo sharing
- Comprehensive tools for attendance, billing, and curriculum management
- Strong compliance and licensing report features
Cons
- Pricing scales quickly with enrollment size
- Some advanced features have a learning curve
- Limited third-party integrations compared to competitors
Best For
Small to medium-sized preschools and child care centers prioritizing parent engagement and operational efficiency.
Pricing
Starts at $99/month for up to 50 children; scales to $4-6 per child/month for larger programs, with custom enterprise pricing.
Famly
enterpriseCloud-based childcare management tool for attendance, invoicing, staff management, and parent updates across preschools.
Dedicated parent app for instant sharing of photos, updates, and attendance
Famly is a comprehensive all-in-one platform tailored for childcare centers and preschools, streamlining operations like attendance tracking, billing, staff scheduling, and child development documentation. It features a user-friendly parent app for real-time communication, photo sharing, and updates on children's activities and progress. The software also supports compliance reporting and learning journals to help educators capture key developmental moments efficiently.
Pros
- Seamless parent app for real-time engagement and updates
- Integrated billing and attendance tracking reduces admin time
- Robust child observation tools for development tracking
Cons
- Reporting customization is somewhat limited
- Pricing scales quickly with larger child enrollments
- Occasional mobile app performance issues reported
Best For
Small to medium preschools focused on strong parent communication and simplified daily operations.
Pricing
Starts at ~$1 per child per month with minimums (e.g., $89/month for up to 50 children); scales with enrollment and plan tier.
Teaching Strategies
specializedCurriculum and assessment software like GOLD for tracking preschool child development and planning personalized learning.
GOLD® Assessment System for authentic, portfolio-based child progress tracking aligned to early learning standards
Teaching Strategies offers a comprehensive platform for preschool educators, centered around the GOLD assessment system that enables ongoing, observation-based tracking of children's progress across 10 domains. It integrates seamlessly with The Creative Curriculum, providing ready-to-use lesson plans, digital resources, and Mighty Minutes for teachable moments. The suite also includes family engagement tools and professional development resources to support data-driven instruction and school readiness.
Pros
- Research-backed assessment with detailed progress tracking and checkpoints
- Strong curriculum alignment and ready-to-implement lesson plans
- Effective family engagement portals for sharing child updates
Cons
- Higher cost structure, especially for smaller programs
- Initial learning curve for full platform mastery
- Limited customization options for non-standard workflows
Best For
Preschool teachers and administrators in programs emphasizing standards-aligned, observation-driven assessment and curriculum.
Pricing
Custom subscription pricing based on enrollment; typically $4-7 per child per month for core GOLD system, with full curriculum suite adding $100-300 per teacher annually.
Jackrabbit Class
enterpriseClass management software for preschool and enrichment programs with registration, payments, and attendance features.
Advanced skill-tracking and progress reports tailored for class-based student development
Jackrabbit Class is a cloud-based management platform tailored for class-based programs, including preschools focused on enrichment activities like music, dance, and gymnastics. It streamlines operations with features for online registration, scheduling, attendance tracking, billing, and a dedicated parent portal for updates and payments. While versatile for preschool class management, it excels in structured lesson planning rather than full-day childcare routines.
Pros
- Comprehensive class scheduling and online registration
- Integrated billing with automated payments and invoicing
- Strong parent communication tools including a mobile app
Cons
- Steeper learning curve for setup and customization
- Pricing scales quickly with enrollment size
- Limited native support for daily preschool care tracking like naptime or meals
Best For
Small to mid-sized preschools emphasizing structured classes and enrichment programs over full-day childcare.
Pricing
Starts at $125/month for up to 50 students, plus $2.50-$4 per additional student/month; custom quotes for larger programs.
Tadpoles
specializedParent communication app for preschools to share photos, updates, attendance, and developmental milestones securely.
Instant, personalized daily reports pushed directly to parents' phones via the mobile app
Tadpoles is a preschool management software designed specifically for childcare centers and preschools, focusing on streamlining daily operations and parent communication. It enables teachers to log attendance, meals, naps, activities, and potty training in real-time, automatically generating personalized daily reports with photos that are sent to parents via a dedicated mobile app. The platform also supports billing, staff scheduling, lesson planning, and basic administrative tasks to help centers run efficiently.
Pros
- Intuitive mobile app for real-time parent updates and communication
- Automated daily reports with photos save teachers significant time
- Reliable attendance tracking and basic billing integration
Cons
- Limited advanced analytics or reporting customization
- Scalability issues for very large centers with higher per-child costs
- Occasional glitches in app syncing reported by users
Best For
Small to medium-sized preschools and childcare centers that prioritize effortless parent engagement and daily child progress sharing.
Pricing
Starts at $99/month for up to 50 children, plus $4.99 per additional child/month; free trial available.
ClassDojo
specializedClassroom management tool for preschool behavior tracking, parent messaging, and building positive school communities.
The customizable avatar points system that motivates preschoolers with immediate visual positive feedback
ClassDojo is a free classroom management platform designed to promote positive behavior through a points-based feedback system with fun avatars. Teachers can share reports, messages, and student portfolios directly with parents, fostering strong home-school connections. It's particularly effective in preschool for quick behavior tracking and engagement without requiring extensive setup.
Pros
- Intuitive positive reinforcement system with engaging avatars suitable for young children
- Seamless parent-teacher messaging and portfolio sharing
- Completely free for core functionality with no ads
Cons
- Limited built-in academic or curriculum tools, focusing mainly on behavior
- Relies heavily on teacher discretion for fairness and accuracy
- Potential privacy concerns with student data sharing features
Best For
Preschool teachers seeking simple behavior management and parent communication tools without a steep learning curve.
Pricing
Free for all core features; optional premium reports for schools at $4-12/month per teacher.
Seesaw
specializedDigital platform for preschool student portfolios, assignments, and family engagement to showcase learning progress.
Child-led digital portfolios that empower preschoolers to independently document and reflect on their own learning
Seesaw (seesaw.me) is a student-centered digital portfolio platform tailored for PreK-5 education, allowing preschoolers to capture their learning through drawings, photos, videos, and voice recordings. Teachers assign simple activities, provide feedback, and share portfolios with parents for real-time progress updates. It emphasizes child-led documentation, making it ideal for showcasing developmental milestones in a preschool setting.
Pros
- Intuitive mobile app supports young children's independent use with drawing and multimedia tools
- Seamless parent-teacher communication via shared portfolios and updates
- Versatile for documentation of preschool skills like fine motor and social-emotional growth
Cons
- Lacks comprehensive preschool management features like attendance tracking or billing
- Advanced reporting and analytics require premium upgrade
- Limited customization for structured preschool curricula compared to dedicated LMS platforms
Best For
Preschool teachers focused on portfolio-based assessment and family engagement rather than full administrative management.
Pricing
Free core version for teachers and families; Seesaw Premium at $120/year per teacher or volume district pricing for advanced features.
Storypark
specializedLearning journal app for preschools to document children's achievements, share with parents, and support curriculum planning.
Family Wall, where parents can upload content and contribute directly to their child's digital learning story
Storypark is a digital learning journal platform tailored for early childhood education, enabling educators to capture and share children's progress through photos, videos, observations, and learning stories. It fosters strong parent-teacher partnerships by allowing real-time communication, family contributions to portfolios, and insights into daily activities. Primarily popular in Australia and New Zealand, it aligns with local curricula like Te Whāriki and supports regulatory compliance for preschools.
Pros
- Robust parent engagement with family contributions to portfolios
- Intuitive mobile app for quick documentation and sharing
- Strong compliance tools for documentation and reporting
Cons
- Higher pricing for smaller centers
- Limited integrations with other preschool management software
- Some features tailored specifically to Australian/NZ regulations
Best For
Preschools and childcare centers focused on family involvement and narrative-based learning documentation.
Pricing
Subscription-based at approximately $10-15 AUD per child per year, with volume discounts for larger centers.
Conclusion
The reviewed preschool software tools offer diverse solutions, but Brightwheel emerges as the top choice, excelling in its all-in-one approach to childcare management. Procare Solutions stands out for its comprehensive operational coverage, while Lillio impresses with its focus on daily reporting and parent-teacher communication—each offering unique strengths to suit different preschool needs.
If you’re looking to streamline your preschool’s operations and boost engagement, Brightwheel is a standout option to explore, designed to simplify your daily tasks and strengthen connections with families.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison