Choosing The Best Childcare Management Software, 2024
So, you’ve finally decided to pick childcare management software for your daycare—a wise choice! But with a variety of options, how do you choose the perfect one to match your needs and streamline your operations?
We’ll be diving deep into features, user-friendliness, scalability, and, of course, that all-important price tag. By the end of this blog, you’ll be equipped to pick the best childcare management software that fits your needs and keeps your daycare running smoothly.
Table of Contents
Prerequisites of good childcare management software
Software for daycare management is a digital tool used by childcare centres, preschools or home daycare providers to run their centres efficiently. They include tools for
- Centre management
- Billing and accounting
- Enrollment management
- Parent communication
- Attendance tracking
- Lesson planning
- And more…
While all of the below are well-known preschool management softwares in their capacity, this comparison guide will help you decide which works best for your centre’s unique needs.
Must-have features in 2024 for the best childcare management software
nce you’ve understood how daycare apps can benefit your organisation, it’s time to zero in on one. Here are the must-have features you cannot compromise on while looking for the best app for daycare providers in 2024:
- Sign-in/sign-out for children and staff:
- Attendance and leave management
- Authorised pick-up and drop-offs
- Staff: Child ratio
- Assessments and reports
- Lesson planning
- Student portfolios
- Enrolment management
- Billing and accounting
- Parent communication
- Appointment scheduling
Here are some questions that will guide you in understanding which of the above features you need:
- What is my budget?
- How many children do I manage in my daycare?
- What features are most important to me?
- Where do I spend most of my time?
- Is the software easy to use for both staff and parents?
- Does the software integrate with other tools I use?
- Is the software safe and secure to use?
How are the best childcare software programs ranked?
Finding the best daycare management software can feel tiresome, given the many options available today. Here’s a breakdown of the key factors to consider when comparing preschool management software options:
Balance the budget with features:
- Price: Does the software fit your budget? Consider one-time fees, monthly subscriptions, and any per-user costs.
- Key Features: List “must-have” features like attendance tracking, parent communication, or billing & accounting. Don’t get bogged down by fancy extra tools that you won’t use.
Language customisation options:
- Language and Currency Support: Does the software cater to your language needs and handle your local currency? This ensures seamless operation and clear communication with parents.
Tech savvy and ease of use
- Device Compatibility: Will the software work on desktops, laptops, tablets, and smartphones? Flexibility is key for staff and parents on the go.
- Ease of Use: Is the software program intuitive and user-friendly? Avoid a steep learning curve that frustrates staff and delays adoption.
Accessibility and Growing Needs:
- Mobile Accessibility: Does the software offer dedicated mobile apps for parents and staff? Easy access to information and updates is crucial.
- Scalability and Integrations: Can the software handle growth as your centre expands? Does it integrate with other tools you use, like accounting software or parent portals
- Customer Support: What kind of customer support does the company offer? Reliable phone, email, and chat support are essential for troubleshooting issues.
Look for testimonials and verified ratings.
- Reviews: Read real user reviews for first-hand insights about the software’s strengths and weaknesses.
- Look for G2 ratings, which showcase user satisfaction and provide a benchmark for comparison with other nursery management software solutions.
Top Childcare Management softwares 2024
Overview of the best Childcare Management Software 2024
Childcare Software | G2 Rating | Price per month | Customer Support | Global Currency Support | Best suited for | Gaps in Product Features |
Illumine | 4.7/5 | $ to $$ | 24/7 live support with a WhatsApp chat option | Yes | End-to-end daycare management; | Third-party curriculum is unavailable |
HiMama (Lillio) | 4.7/5 | $$ to $$$ | Time-limited support | No | Daily reports | No CRM & tour scheduling |
Famly | 4.6/5 | $$$ to $$$ | Time-limited support | No | Parental communication & administrative operations | USA state education framework support & online payments |
Tadpoles | 4.6/5 | $ to $$ | Limited email support | No | Parental communication & administrative operations | Lacks centre management features |
Storypark | 4.5/5 | $ to $$ | Limited email support | No | Student documentation & parent communication | Lacks centre management features |
KangarooTime | 4.5/5 | $$ to $$$ | Limited email support | No | Australia’s best daycare app with government subsidy program | No CRM & tour scheduling |
Brightwheel | 4.5/5 | $ to $$ | Time-limited live support | No | Daily reports & administrative tasks | No CRM & tour scheduling, high online transaction fee |
Procare | 4.5/5 | $$ to $$ | Time-limited support | No | End-to-end daycare management | Lacks assessment reports, portfolios & limited customer support |
Here is more detailed information about each of the softwares:
If you’re looking for the best app for daycares that tackles everything from A to Z, Illumine is the way to go. It has everything you need to run a daycare smoothly, from enquiry automation tools to AI-enabled assessments. Let’s take a deeper look at the offering.
Key Features: | ✔ Sign-In/Sign-Out for children and staff ✔Attendance and leave management ✔ Authorised pick-up and drop-offs ✔ Staff:Child ratio ✔ Assessments and reports ✔ Lesson planning ✔ Student portfolios ✔ Customisable registration forms ✔ Enrollment management ✔ Billing and accounting ✔ Parent communication ✔ Appointment scheduling |
Language Support | English, Arabic, Spanish, Russian, Portuguese, French, German, Hungarian, Italian, Lithuanian, Bulgarian, MGusto, and Thai, Japanese, Mandarin, and Hebrew |
Integrations | It connects with WhatsApp, Facebook, Tally, QuickBooks, Xero, Stripe, Ringgit Pay, Paypal, Oracle Net Suite, Gusto, Paychex |
What users love about illumine software
|
2. Himama (Lillio)
HiMama is focused on physical, intellectual, and social-emotional development for children under age 5. They provide resources and support for empowering daycare centres to empower little ones. They aim to improve early childhood programs with innovative design, quality content, and professional growth opportunities, for joyful learning experiences.
Key features | ✘ Sign-In/Sign-Out for Children and Staff ✔ Attendance and leave management ✘ Authorised pick-up and drop-offs ✔ Staff:Child ratio ✘ Assessments and Reports ✔ Lesson Planning ✔ Student Portfolios ✘ Enrolment management ✔ Billing and accounting ✔ Parent communication ✘ Appointment scheduling |
Language support | English, Canadian French, French, and Spanish |
Integrations | Connects with KinderConnect, FunShine Express, |
What users love about HiMama Software
|
3.Storypark
Storypark is a platform that enables families and daycare staff to communicate seamlessly. It was created under the supervision of early childhood experts and also has features that allow educators to keep track of a child’s daily activities, monitor their progress over time, and gain developmental insights.
Key features | ✘ Sign-In/Sign-Out for children and staff ✘ Attendance and leave management ✘ Authorised pick-up and drop-offs ✘ Staff:Child ratio ✔ Assessments and reports ✔ Lesson planning ✔ Student portfolios ✘ Enrollment management ✘ Billing and accounting ✔ Parent communication ✘ Appointment scheduling |
Language support | English, Canadian French, German, Japanese, te reo Māori |
Integrations | Connects with Kidsoft, Xap, Xplor and QikKids |
What users love about Storypark software
|
4.KangarooTime
Kangarootime enables directors to run their businesses efficiently. The software features automated payments and billing, a digital classroom, and a parent contact tool. With Kangarootime, you can boost your centre’s operations, manage your team effectively, and establish strong relationships with the parents of the children in your care.
Key features | ✔ Sign-In/Sign-Out for children and staff ✔ Attendance and leave management ✘ Authorised pick-up and drop-offs ✔ Staff:Child ratio ✔ Assessments and reports ✔ Lesson planning ✔ Student portfolios ✔ Enrollment management ✘ Billing and accounting ✔ Parent communication ✘ Appointment scheduling ✔ Staff management |
Language support | No information available |
Integrations | No information available |
What users love about KangarooTime software
|
5.Brightwheel
Brightwheel is a childcare management software that facilitates operations for daycares. It specialises in streamlining processes for schools with low to medium capacity.
Key features | ✘ Sign-In/Sign-Out for children and staff ✔ Attendance and leave management ✘ Authorised pick-up and drop-offs ✘ Staff: Child ratio ✔ Staff Management ✔ Assessments and reports ✔ Lesson planning ✘ Student portfolios ✘ Customisable registration forms ✘ Enrollment management ✔ Billing and accounting ✔ Parent communication ✘ Appointment scheduling |
Language support | English and Spanish |
Integrations | Connects with KinderTrack, KinderConnect, and Gusto |
What users love about Brightwheel software
|
6.Procare
Procare helps reduce day-to-day operational burden in preschools, or after-school programs. Their solution is functional on any device through either web or mobile applications. They offer services to centres—big and small and have been empowering childcare providers for over 30 years.
Key features | ✘ Sign-In/Sign-Out for children and staff ✔ Attendance and leave management ✘ Authorised pick-up and drop-offs ✔ Staff:Child ratio ✔ Assessments and reports ✔ Lesson planning ✔ Student portfolios ✘ Customisable registration forms ✔ Enrollment management ✔ Billing and accounting ✔ Parent communication ✘ Appointment scheduling |
Language support | English and Spanish |
Integrations | Connects with Checkr, Gusto, IntelliKid Systems, Learning Beyond Paper, Listen360, Quickbooks, and KidKare by Minute Menu |
What users love about Procare software
|
7.Famly
The goal of Family is to create a collaborative platform for parents and carers of young children. They support early childhood providers and families to communicate, share information, manage administrative tasks together, run their businesses, and learn new things. They believe this frees up time and energy for parents and carers to focus on the early interactions that shape a child’s development.
Key features | ✔ Sign-In/Sign-Out for children and staff ✔ Attendance and leave management ✘ Authorised pick-up and drop-offs ✔ Staff: Child ratio ✔ Assessments and reports ✔ Lesson planning ✔ Student portfolios ✔ Customisable registration forms ✘ Enrolment management ✔ Billing and accounting ✔ Parent communication ✘ Appointment scheduling |
Language support | Danish, German, English, and Spanish |
Integrations | Connects with FlourishCRM, Stripe, Xero (CSV only), Redfish, Funding Loop, WatchMeGrow, KinderConnect, and KitaBuli |
What users love about Famly software
|
8. Tadpoles
Tadpoles are changing the childcare and preschool market by assisting with smoothing out operations and parent collaboration through innovation. They work with centres worldwide to deliver management solutions planned explicitly to help understudy children’s accomplishments and parental inclusion.
Key features | ✘ Sign-In/Sign-Out for children and staff ✔ Attendance and leave management ✘ Authorised pick-up and drop-offs ✘ Staff:Child ratio ✔ Assessments and reports ✔ Lesson planning ✔ Student portfolios ✘ Customisable registration forms ✘ Enrollment management ✘ Billing and accounting ✔ Parent communication ✘ Appointment scheduling |
|---|---|
Language support | No information is available |
Integrations | No information is available |
What users love about Procare software
- Supports year-end tax statements for financial reporting
- Claim to offer a next-business-day settlement
- Procare also supports small in-home daycare centres
Choosing a childcare app that meets your need
Choosing the best daycare software for your centre can be a daunting task. With so many options available on the market, it requires extensive research and testing to find the one that perfectly fits your unique needs and concerns.
We have prepared a comprehensive guide that outlines key factors to consider while selecting childcare software for your centre. It is important to note that this is not a static list since daycare computer software keeps evolving with new features and updates released every month. Therefore, we will ensure that this article stays up-to-date to help you make an informed decision.
