How Real Kids cut cash collection time to 14 days across 43 centers

What Was Needed: Consistent Standards Across 43 Centers

To improve cash collection timelines, Real Kids needed more than payment reminders. They needed a single source of truth that unified admissions, billing, and collections across all centers.

HQ wanted the ability to:
- Track real-time collections and overdue fees across the network
- Standardize fee plans, discounts, and billing rules centrally
- Push updates instantly across all centers without manual replication
- Access audit-ready financial data without waiting for reconciliations

Without centralized control and real-time dashboards, improving collection timelines at scale would not be possible.

Solution 

illumine implemented a centralized, multi-center operations and billing platform tailored to Real Kids’ scale.

Overdue fees dropped significantly, and finance teams gained confidence in the accuracy and timeliness of their data. These improvements also made it easier for Real Kids to scale without adding operational complexity.

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The platform brought admissions, fee setup, billing, and collections into one system, giving HQ full control while centers operated smoothly. Fees, discounts, scholarships, and billing schedules were managed centrally, ensuring consistent and error-free invoicing across all locations. Bills and automated payment reminders were sent digitally on schedule, cutting manual follow-ups for center teams.

Key Outcomes

- Average cash collection time reduced from 34 days to 14 days (59% improvement)

- ~70% fewer billing adjustments through centralized fee structures and automated invoicing
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- Reduced financial reporting latency from 10–20 days to real-time with centralized, multi-center dashboards