--- title: "Before & After School Programs" id: "10297" type: "page" slug: "before-and-after-school-programs" published_at: "2025-01-31T03:34:54+00:00" modified_at: "2026-06-10T21:53:25+00:00" url: "https://mybrightwheel.com/before-and-after-school-programs/" markdown_url: "https://mybrightwheel.com/before-and-after-school-programs.md" --- # #1 childcare software for before & after school programs ## Save time managing your before & after school program with brightwheel ## Save time managing your before & after school program with brightwheel Manage attendance, billing, and parent communication for your extended-day program in one easy app. Already use brightwheel? [Join your school](https://schools.mybrightwheel.com/sign-up?_branch_match_id=427196675777436642) ## Trusted by millions of educators and families ![brightwheel reviews](https://mybrightwheel.com/wp-content/themes/_brightwheel/img/social-proof-stars.webp "brightwheel reviews")4.9 | 150,000+ reviews - ![Apple Store](https://mybrightwheel.com/wp-content/themes/_brightwheel/img/apple-2.png) - ![Google Play](https://mybrightwheel.com/wp-content/themes/_brightwheel/img/google-play-2.svg) - ![Capterra](https://mybrightwheel.com/wp-content/themes/_brightwheel/img/capterra-2.svg) - ![G2 Leader](https://mybrightwheel.com/wp-content/themes/_brightwheel/img/g2-leader.webp) - ![Cloud 100](https://mybrightwheel.com/wp-content/themes/_brightwheel/img/cloud-100.webp) - ![Capterra Best](https://mybrightwheel.com/wp-content/themes/_brightwheel/img/cap.webp) #1 Rated all-in-one childcare solution 20hrs Saved each month on administrative tasks 95% Customer satisfaction 99.9% Uptime and 24×7 monitoring (we don’t crash) ## Why before & after school programs love brightwheel ![An image of review score and star rating](https://mybrightwheel.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/three-cards-icon-3.svg "Highest-rated childcare software and app")### Easy schedule management Separately track attendance and activities for your morning and after school children. ![An icon image of clock that represents the time-saving benefit of brightwheel.](https://mybrightwheel.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/easy-to-use.svg "Easy to use & save time")### Real-time parent communication Give families quick updates and reminders about drop-off and pick-up times. ![An icon image of money that represents the billing feature of brightwheel.](https://mybrightwheel.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/automatic-billing-payments.svg "Automatic billing & payments")### Flexible billing Create tuition plans for different schedules and days, and simplify how you collect payments. ![An icon image of heart that represents the communication feature of brightwheel.](https://mybrightwheel.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Staff.png "Quality connections")### Effortless staff coordination Manage your part-time and shift-based staff schedules to ensure proper coverage and room ratios. ![An image of review score and star rating](https://mybrightwheel.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/three-cards-icon-3.svg "Highest-rated childcare software and app")### Easy schedule management Separately track attendance and activities for your morning and after school children. ![An icon image of clock that represents the time-saving benefit of brightwheel.](https://mybrightwheel.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/easy-to-use.svg "Easy to use & save time")### Real-time parent communication Give families quick updates and reminders about drop-off and pick-up times. ![An icon image of money that represents the billing feature of brightwheel.](https://mybrightwheel.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/automatic-billing-payments.svg "Automatic billing & payments")### Flexible billing Create tuition plans for different schedules and days, and simplify how you collect payments. ![An icon image of heart that represents the communication feature of brightwheel.](https://mybrightwheel.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Staff.png "Quality connections")### Effortless staff coordination Manage your part-time and shift-based staff schedules to ensure proper coverage and room ratios. ## Before & after school program owners and directors: Brightwheel is for you ### Easy attendance tracking - Check children in and out with simple, contactless methods - Keep attendance records in one place for morning and afternoon sessions [Learn more](https://mybrightwheel.com/child-care-attendance-tracking/) ### Automated billing - Set up billing plans based on your schedule - Collect payments online and track who has paid with less hassle - Eliminate late payments with automated billing services and payment reminders [Learn more](https://mybrightwheel.com/features/billing/) ![Munisha M, Director at Excelsior University for Children](https://mybrightwheel.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/testimonial_2.webp)“95% of families are on track with their payments, thanks to brightwheel! Before, it was really bad. Parents love that they can see exactly how much they owe, right on their phones.” Munisha M, Director at Excelsior University for Children Seabrook, TX ### Quick parent updates - Share messages, announcements, and reminders with families directly from the app - Communicate schedule changes or events right away with alerts or SMS text messages [Learn more](https://mybrightwheel.com/communication/) ![Cally B, Assistant Director at MBCC Journey](https://mybrightwheel.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/testimonial_3.webp)“Parent communication has drastically improved thanks to brightwheel. Parents are more in tune with what’s going on at school, so they’re more responsive. Because brightwheel is easy and quick to use for everybody.” Cally B, Assistant Director at MBCC Journey Birmingham, AL ### Enhanced staff experience - Streamline staff scheduling and share important details with your team - Message staff about schedule changes in real-time, ensuring everyone stays informed and organized [Learn more](https://mybrightwheel.com/childcare-staff-scheduling-software/) ![Kelly R. Director of Good Shepherd Learning Center](https://mybrightwheel.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/testimonial_4.webp)“Revising the schedule takes less than 5 minutes and everyone is aware of what is going on, which makes for a seamless operation.” Kelly R. Director of Good Shepherd Learning Center Douglassville, PA ### Secure document storage - Collect forms and signatures online and store child and staff records safely - Access what you need whenever you need it - Brightwheel was incredibly well-received because it brought the parents into the classroom in a healthy way. It also doesn’t require the teacher to spend a tremendous amount of time getting the information into the system. [Learn more](https://mybrightwheel.com/childcare-forms/) ![Pam M. Owner and Executive Director of Creative Learning Preschool](https://mybrightwheel.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/pam-m-testimonial.png)“Forms on brightwheel save me weeks of time each year. I no longer need to constantly check in with families to see if they’ve filled out the form. I can just send a message now and it’s instant.” Pam M. Owner and Executive Director of Creative Learning Preschool Aurora, CO ### Lesson planning and development tracking - Create and share lesson plans, track developmental milestones, and log daily activities all within the app - Give parents a glimpse into what their children are learning and how they’re growing [Learn more](https://mybrightwheel.com/experience-curriculum/) ### Early education resources #### Organize your consent and release forms Download these free templates to obtain the required approvals and permissions from families. Templates include: - Child medical consent form - Medication administration form - Photography and video consent - Parent consent form for field trip - Permission to apply sunscreen form - Diaper cream authorization form ![Childcare Consent and Release Forms](https://mybrightwheel.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/consent-and-release-forms-min.png "consent and release forms-min")![Childcare Consent and Release Forms](https://mybrightwheel.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/consent-and-release-forms-min.png "consent and release forms-min") [Download now](https://info.mybrightwheel.com/templates/childcare-consent-release-forms) ## Brightwheel has more ways to support your childcare program ![Icon image that represents billing & payments feature](https://mybrightwheel.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/money.svg "Billing & payments")### Billing & payments Send automated invoices, accept online payments, and get paid on time. 90% of preschools report that more families pay on time with brightwheel. [Learn more](https://mybrightwheel.com/features/billing/) ![Icon image that represents center management feature](https://mybrightwheel.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/center-management.svg "Center management")### Center management Simplify administrative tasks with brightwheel’s all-in-one app & save up to 20 hours per month. Stay compliant with digital check-ins, health checks, and room ratio tracking. [Learn more](https://mybrightwheel.com/center-management/) ![Icon image that represents communication feature](https://mybrightwheel.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/love-it.svg "Communication")### Communication Build quality connections with families and staff. 95% of administrators & staff report brightwheel improves communication with families. [Learn more](https://mybrightwheel.com/communication/) ## Seamlessly switch to brightwheel from other childcare management software ### Easy onboarding trainings Get access to guided training through brightwheel Academy, a comprehensive learning tool to help you, your staff, and families master using brightwheel. ### Speedy support team Brightwheel has the industry’s largest support team and will ensure that you get quick answers through live chat whenever you need them (response times are less than 1 minute!). Brightwheel’s support team plays a pivotal role in enabling new users to maximize every feature of the software. ### Roster and rate card upload tool Switching to brightwheel is easy when you upload your student rosters. The brightwheel team will import your roster and tuition rates into your brightwheel account so you have all of the information you need from day one. ### One simple, transparent price You won’t pay more as you use more features on brightwheel. Your price is based on enrollment capacity and you get access to all features on the platform. ### [Brightwheel vs. Procare](https://mybrightwheel.com/compare-brightwheel-vs-procare/) Switch to brightwheel, the leading mobile-first childcare app, for superior billing, messaging, and attendance tracking—all seamlessly synced in real time across devices. ## Frequently asked questions about software for before & after school programs ### What is the benefit of using software for managing before & after school programs? Software centralizes key administrative tasks—like attendance tracking, billing, staff scheduling, and family communication—into one user-friendly platform, helping providers save time, streamline processes, and reduce errors. ### How does brightwheel support attendance and scheduling for before & after school care? Brightwheel enables easy check‑in and check‑out with digital methods, tracks attendance separately for morning and afternoon sessions, and helps manage staff schedules to ensure proper coverage and adherence to room ratios. ### Can I use different billing plans for varying schedules? Yes. You can create flexible billing plans tailored to different schedules and days, automate invoicing, and send reminders—streamlining tuition collection and improving on-time payment rates. ### How does communication with families work in brightwheel? Brightwheel facilitates real-time communication through messages, announcements, and reminders—sent via in-app notifications or SMS—to keep families promptly informed about schedule changes, drop-off/pick-up times, and daily updates. ### How are part-time or shift based staff schedules managed? You can coordinate and adjust staff schedules quickly, assign shifts based on availability, and share updates in real-time—helping maintain smooth operations and compliance with staffing needs. ### Is brightwheel suitable for both small and multi-site programs? Absolutely, brightwheel is scalable. It supports single-site programs and multi-location operations, all manageable via a unified dashboard with role-based access and bulk communication tools. ### How much does brightwheel cost for before & after school programs? Brightwheel offers flexible pricing plans to fit different budgets and program types and sizes. We encourage prospective customers to connect with our team directly for a personalized quote based on your specific needs. [Request pricing information](https://mybrightwheel.com/pricing/) to explore how brightwheel can benefit your program. ## Review the latest ECE resources about childcare software for before & after school programs - Students - Blog post ### How to Start an Afterschool Program: Essential Guide Discover how to start an afterschool program. Learn about costs, licensing, staffing ratios, and get a sample schedule to build a successful program. [Read Now](https://mybrightwheel.com/blog/how-to-start-an-afterschool-program) - Business - Blog post ### How to Increase Your Daycare Profit Margin Boost your daycare profit margin with proven revenue diversification strategies. [Read Now](https://mybrightwheel.com/blog/growing-daycare-profit-margin-through-income-diversification) - Business - Blog post ### Early Childhood Education Software Discover the essential features of early childhood education software that help childcare providers save time, improve efficiency, and focus more on what matters most—caring for children. [Read Now](https://mybrightwheel.com/blog/early-childhood-education-software) ### Tour the easiest all-in-one childcare and preschool app