The #1 childcare management software

The easiest all-in-one solution for childcare management

The easiest all-in-one solution for childcare management

Simplify your billing processes, increase enrollment, and build deeper connections with families and staff. Do it all with brightwheel.

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Why brightwheel is the #1 childcare management software

Brightwheel’s childcare management software is designed to help providers save time, improve communication, and simplify every part of running a daycare or preschool program

Brightwheel’s childcare management software is designed to help providers save time, improve communication, and simplify every part of running a daycare or preschool program

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Save up to 20 hours per month

Cut down on admin tasks and manage all areas of your program with brightwheel.

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Get paid without chasing parents

Enroll families in autopay and get paid faster while families avoid late fees.

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Build quality connections

Enable your staff to easily communicate with families, administrators, and other staff.

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Increase staff retention

2 out of 3 teachers prefer to work at a program that uses brightwheel.

An icon image of clock that represents the time-saving benefit of brightwheel.

Save up to 20 hours per month

Cut down on admin tasks and manage all areas of your program with brightwheel.

An icon image of money that represents the billing feature of brightwheel.

Get paid without chasing parents

Enroll families in autopay and get paid faster while families avoid late fees.

An icon image of heart that represents the communication feature of brightwheel.

Build quality connections

Enable your staff to easily communicate with families, administrators, and other staff.

Icon image that represents childcare center management tools in brightwheel.

Increase staff retention

2 out of 3 teachers prefer to work at a program that uses brightwheel.

Key features of brightwheel's childcare management software

What childcare businesses are saying

Read more testimonials in customer stories

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Brightwheel has been one of the best decisions I’ve made for our program. It’s the brain of our center and manages everything from signing in and out to billing to maintaining family relationships.

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Brightwheel has been one of the best decisions I’ve made for our program. It’s the brain of our center and manages everything from signing in and out to billing to maintaining family relationships.

Early education resources

Navigate childcare licensing

Download this free childcare licensing checklist to:

  • Understand the key steps to obtain your childcare license
  • Learn the benefits of being a licensed program
  • Access tips for maintaining compliance with ease
  • Get links to crucial state and federal resources

Brightwheel vs other childcare management solutions


When it comes to choosing childcare management software, not all platforms are created equal. Here’s how brightwheel stands out from the competition:

All-in-one platform:
Unlike many providers that offer piecemeal solutions, brightwheel combines billing, attendance, family communication, lesson planning, and reporting in one easy-to-use platform.

User-friendly design:
Brightwheel’s intuitive interface is loved by directors, staff, and families alike—minimizing training time and ensuring everyone stays engaged.

Real-time family engagement:
While some software simply stores records, brightwheel actively connects parents to daily updates, photos, videos, and messages, strengthening trust and relationships.

Fast, secure payments:
Brightwheel offers robust billing features, including autopay and online payments, so providers get paid on time without chasing invoices.

Trusted and proven:
Brightwheel is used by thousands of childcare programs and schools nationwide, with industry-leading customer support and constant product improvements driven by feedback from real providers.

Data security you can rely on:
Protect sensitive family and child information with enterprise-grade security standards, giving providers peace of mind.

Choosing brightwheel means investing in software designed specifically for the unique needs of childcare programs—so you can save time, engage families, and grow your business with confidence.

Who uses brightwheel childcare software?

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Administrators & directors

Efficiently run your program from one place, and stay compliant with state requirements.

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Parents & guardians

Keep in touch with teachers and staff via in-app messaging, photos, and videos.

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Teachers & staff

Enhance children’s learning experience, and create deeper connections with families.

Frequently asked questions about childcare management software

Childcare management software is technology designed to simplify, automate, and speed up the management of childcare centers and early childhood education programs. It helps with daily tasks such as billing, enrollment, family engagement, staff management, and record-keeping. Brightwheel is the childcare management software of choice for millions of educators in the US and Canada.

Brightwheel childcare management software automates administrative tasks, including billing and payments, enrollment management, communication with families, and tracking children’s activities and development. It saves time, improves efficiency, and enhances communication between educators and parents.

Absolutely. Brightwheel uses advanced security measures, including encryption and secure cloud storage, to protect sensitive information like child records, billing data, and family communication. Data privacy and security are top priorities for any reputable childcare management software.

Brightwheel offers transparent, all-inclusive pricing plans that scale with your program’s size and needs. Our straightforward pricing is predictable and often more cost-effective as your program grows, with no hidden fees for essential features like billing, communication, or reporting.

Brightwheel’s all-in-one pricing provides exceptional value for many programs, helping you budget confidently and avoid unexpected expenses.

Request pricing information to see how brightwheel’s comprehensive, value-driven approach can benefit your program.

Childcare management software is used by a range of education centers, including childcare centers, preschools, nurseries, and early childhood education programs of different sizes. Brightwheel serves both small and large centers.

Childcare management software such as brightwheel reduces admin work and saves significant time by digitizing your records, and allowing staff to take payments, enroll students, and communicate with families online.

Most childhood education centers and administrators we partner with choose brightwheel to replace spreadsheets, and pen and paper processes.

Brightwheel childcare management software is designed to meet the needs of childcare centers, preschools, and early childhood education programs. It offers a set of features to simplify administrators’ tasks and support child development. Schedule a demo to learn if brightwheel is a fit for your specific requirements.

Yes! Brightwheel is compatible with Quickbooks Online. Administrators can use the reports feature to download and transfer billing data from brightwheel to Quickbooks Online. Transferring billing data to Quickbooks enables centers to complete their accounting processes faster and without errors. Visit our Quickbooks Compatibility Guide for more information.

Yes! Brightwheel’s childcare management software includes tools designed to help you boost enrollment and simplify the admissions process. With brightwheel’s waitlist feature, you can easily track prospective families, manage inquiries, and keep organized records of interested parents and children.

Brightwheel lets you see real-time waitlist status, communicate quickly with families about openings, and move children seamlessly from waitlisted to enrolled. This professional, streamlined process impresses prospective families and helps you fill spots faster, ensuring your program stays at full capacity.

Absolutely. Brightwheel is committed to helping you get the most out of your childcare management software from day one.

Enjoy easy onboarding with 1:1 support from a dedicated onboarding specialist, ensuring quick and seamless billing set-up tailored to your program’s needs. You’ll also have access to brightwheel Academy, a comprehensive learning platform with guided training to help you, your staff, and even families master every feature of brightwheel.

Plus, our speedy support team—the largest in the industry—is ready to help whenever you need it. Get fast answers through live chat with response times under one minute. Brightwheel’s support team plays a pivotal role in helping new users maximize the platform and keep their programs running smoothly.

Benefits of childcare software for providers


Childcare management software isn’t just a tech upgrade—it’s a game-changer for how providers run their programs. Here’s how the right software can transform your day-to-day operations:

  • Save time on administrative tasks: Automate billing, attendance tracking, and daily reports so you can spend less time on paperwork and more time supporting staff and children.
  • Improve family communication: Share updates, photos, and messages in real time, keeping families connected and confident in your program’s quality.
  • Enhance staff productivity and retention: Equip teachers and administrators with easy-to-use tools that simplify planning, documentation, and collaboration—making your program a more attractive place to work.
  • Boost accuracy and compliance: Reduce errors in records and reporting, ensuring you stay compliant with state regulations and licensing requirements.
  • Increase enrollment and revenue: Offer a modern, professional experience that appeals to families, and improve cash flow through faster, automated billing and payments.

Review the latest insights & resources about childcare software

9 Essential Features of Childcare Management Software

Choosing the right childcare software is a big decision for your business. Learn more about the essential features that can streamline your daily operations and save you time.

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7 Ways to Increase Enrollment in Your Childcare Program

Discover how to increase enrollment in your preschool program, expand your childcare business, and influence your bottom line.

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Expense Management Software for Childcare Businesses

Learn more about how expense management software can support your childcare business and how to choose the right business expense tracker.

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Tour the easiest all-in-one childcare and preschool app

First, tell us about yourself.

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What brings you here today?

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Are you open and operating?

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What is your program’s maximum enrollment capacity?

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How many locations does your program have?

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What’s your email?

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Lastly, what’s your contact information?

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