--- title: "Playground Reviews 2026. Verified Reviews, Pros & Cons | Capterra" description: "Is Playground the right Daycare solution for you? Explore 194 verified user reviews from people in industries like yours to make a confident choice." source_url: "https://www.capterra.com/p/220200/Playground/reviews/" page_type: "reviews" language: "en" --- Playground 4.8 (194) [View alternatives](https://www.capterra.com/p/220200/Playground/alternatives/) Provider data verified by our Software Research team, and reviews moderated by our Reviews Verification team. [Learn more](https://www.capterra.com/our-story/) * * * Last updated September 29th, 2026 # Reviews of Playground Ease of use 4.7 Customer Service 4.9 ## Pros and Cons in Reviews TM Taneaha M Owner and DirectorChild Day Care Services, 2 - 10 employeesUsed the software for: Less than 6 months. “It makes communication with families easier, keeps student and staff information organized, and supports smoother scheduling, billing, and documentation. While there are occasional learning curves with certain features, the platform has helped streamline processes and improve efficiency within our center.“ December 24, 2025 LS Latasha S Business Operations ManagerChild Day Care Services, 11 - 50 employeesUsed the software for: Less than 6 months. “Staff messaging also lacks flexibility, there’s no simple way to message an entire class at once or easily select only their assigned students (per the staff, who feel that our previous platform hit the mark with this option).“ October 13, 2025 JB Justin B OwnerChild Day Care Services, 2 - 10 employeesUsed the software for: 1-2 years. “Beyond the backend, the real-time communication tools are a massive win; the ability to send instant photo updates and digital daily sheets builds immense trust with families.“ March 12, 2026 GR Galen R Owner and DirectorRecreational Facilities and Services, 2 - 10 employeesUsed the software for: Less than 6 months. “Unfortunately having to use tryplayground for URLs is inconvenient and makes it a little harder than necessary to point families to it.“ September 27, 2025 JB Justin B OwnerChild Day Care Services, 2 - 10 employeesUsed the software for: 1-2 years. “It effectively replaces a fragmented mess of spreadsheets, paper checks, and clunky apps with a single, polished ecosystem that saves directors hours of administrative labor every week. While the transition period requires patience and the premium pricing reflects its high-end capabilities, the payoff in parent satisfaction and operational clarity is undeniable.“ March 12, 2026 CW Christen W OwnerChild Day Care Services, 2 - 10 employeesUsed the software for: Less than 6 months. “I wouldn't necessarily say I don't like it, however I would allow centers the opportunity to be able to pay monthly rather than quarterly for their subscriptions. Besides that, I haven't experienced anything else that I didn't really like.“ September 24, 2025 JB Justin B OwnerChild Day Care Services, 2 - 10 employeesUsed the software for: 1-2 years. “The standout feature of Playground is its ability to centralize every chaotic moving part of running a childcare center into one sleek, intuitive dashboard.“ March 12, 2026 Emma R Owner and DirectorEducation Management, 2 - 10 employeesUsed the software for: Less than 6 months. “There were also a few features that required additional costs that I didn’t fully realize upfront.“ December 29, 2025 ## Showing most helpful reviews Showing 1-25 of 194 Reviews Sort by: Most Helpful Rating Company Size Reviewer's Role Length of Use Frequency of Use Emma R. Owner and Director Education Management Used the software for: Less than 6 months ### "Exactly What Our Microschool Needed" December 29, 2025 5.0 Overall, I’m extremely thankful for Playground and how much it has helped streamline our systems. It’s been a great fit for my microschool, and I’m glad we made the switch. Pros I’ve been using Playground for my microschool, and overall it has been an amazing addition to our operations. Even though the platform is geared toward childcare centers, it isn’t overly “babyish” and works really well for a microschool setting. It has significantly streamlined many of my business and administrative tasks, which has been a huge relief as a school owner. One of the biggest pros is the customer support. Their team has been incredibly responsive and helpful, answering all of my questions promptly and working with me to understand how Playground could best support my needs. The value for the price is excellent, and I really appreciate that they’ve been open to feedback and feature requests for tools I was hoping to use. Cons The only downsides I’ve experienced were some initial miscommunication at the beginning. After my demo, I didn’t receive clear follow-up instructions on how to get started and had to reach back out a few weeks later. There were also a few features that required additional costs that I didn’t fully realize upfront. That said, once everything was clarified and set up, the experience has been smooth and very positive Alternatives considered [brightwheel](https://www.capterra.com/p/144060/brightwheel/) Reason for choosing Playground Playground provides more features that are geared towards microschools. Review Source Response from Playground January 5, 2026 Thank you for such a thoughtful review! We’re thrilled to hear that Playground has been a great fit for your microschool. It’s great that we’ve helped simplify your admin and business operations, and we’re especially glad to hear our support team has been responsive and collaborative throughout. We’re grateful you made the switch and are glad Playground is adding real value to your school’s daily operations. Thanks again for your trust and for helping shape the platform through your input! JB Justin B. Owner Child Day Care Services Used the software for: 1-2 years ### "Modernizing Childcare: A Seamless Hub for Directors and Families" March 12, 2026 5.0 Playground is a transformative "all-in-one" solution that successfully bridges the gap between professional business management and heart-centered childcare. It effectively replaces a fragmented mess of spreadsheets, paper checks, and clunky apps with a single, polished ecosystem that saves directors hours of administrative labor every week. While the transition period requires patience and the premium pricing reflects its high-end capabilities, the payoff in parent satisfaction and operational clarity is undeniable. It is currently one of the most forward-thinking platforms available, making it an ideal choice for centers looking to modernize and scale their operations with confidence and ease. Pros The standout feature of Playground is its ability to centralize every chaotic moving part of running a childcare center into one sleek, intuitive dashboard. Administrators rave about the automated billing system, which virtually eliminates the headache of chasing down late tuition by offering parents easy autopay options. Beyond the backend, the real-time communication tools are a massive win; the ability to send instant photo updates and digital daily sheets builds immense trust with families. Furthermore, their customer support is legendary in the industry, often responding to technical questions in under a minute with actual human assistance. Cons While the platform is incredibly powerful, the sheer depth of its features means there is a noticeable learning curve for staff members who aren't tech-savvy. Migrating years of paper files or data from older legacy systems into Playground requires a significant time investment and meticulous data entry. Some users have also expressed a desire for more granular customization in the reporting suite, as the pre-built templates don't always capture niche data points needed for specific state grants. Additionally, while the mobile app is generally stable, occasional lag during peak morning check-in times can be a minor frustration for busy teachers. Alternatives considered [brightwheel](https://www.capterra.com/p/144060/brightwheel/) Reason for choosing Playground We passed on Brightwheel because Playground offers a more intuitive user interface and significantly faster customer support. Playground’s automated billing felt more seamless for our families, and its customizable reporting provided better data clarity for our specific administrative needs Switched from [Kangarootime](https://www.capterra.com/p/166487/Kangarootime/) We switched to Playground for its superior user interface and faster customer support, which resolved the navigation frustrations and technical lag experienced with Kangarootime. Its automated billing and real-time family communication tools provide a more professional, reliable experience for both our administrative staff and parents. Review Source Response from Playground March 16, 2026 Thank you for such a thoughtful and detailed review. We’re thrilled to hear that Playground has helped bring so many moving parts of running a center into one organized system. Billing automation, real-time communication with families, and fast human support are all areas we work hard to get right, so it’s great to see those making a real difference for your team. You also raised some very fair points. With a platform that covers so many workflows, there can be a learning period while teams get comfortable and while data from older systems is brought in. We’re continuing to improve onboarding tools and resources to make that process smoother. We truly appreciate you highlighting both the strengths and the areas where we can grow. Hearing that Playground is helping replace spreadsheets, paper processes, and disconnected apps with a single system means a lot to our team. Thanks for being part of the Playground community and helping us keep improving. KJ Kayla J. daycare provider Education Management Used the software for: Less than 6 months ### "Playground pilot program" December 10, 2025 3.0 It is great when I figure out what I am actually doing. It has a space for everything and a great place to keep track of everything I need to. Pros It has everything I need to keep track of everything and to have open communication with families. The parents seem to enjoy it. Cons The onboarding staff lack information and also do things so quickly and for you that they don't actually help you learn the system. It is very bland and not colorful and look like a daycare site. Review Source Response from Playground December 11, 2025 Thanks for the honest feedback. We’re glad Playground helps you stay organized and communicate clearly with families—and it’s great to hear parents are enjoying it too. We also hear you on onboarding. If it felt rushed or too hands-off, that’s a miss on our part. Our goal is to empower you with confidence, not just do things for you. We’ll pass this on to improve how we train new users. Glad to hear that once you’re oriented, it’s working well. We’re here if you want help going deeper. JM Jamie M. Owner of Childcare Child Day Care Services Used the software for: Less than 6 months ### "We love Playground" February 24, 2026 5.0 Our overall experience has been fantastic. Transitioning from another platform has been very smooth with the support from Playground. Pros The customer support is excellent from onboarding and beyond. We are able to communicate with staff and families through a feed, email or text. There are so many options to be sure messages are sent. Our teachers are easily able to manage the app to sign children in and send pictures and messages. Also the access to very real and excellent trainings is super convenient. They offer additional resources that can benefit our center. Cons I couldn't say there's anything I don't like about playground. Learning something new always takes time and patience, but the support though it has been amazing. Alternatives considered [brightwheel](https://www.capterra.com/p/144060/brightwheel/) Reason for choosing Playground I had been doing the trainings offered through Playground for over a year. With every training, Playground had a way or solution to help with the resources discussed in the trainings. Switched from [Procare Solutions](https://www.capterra.com/p/23486/Procare-Child-Care-Management/) We tried a few different products, and Playground has been the best so far in all areas. Review Source Response from Playground February 27, 2026 Thank you for such a thoughtful review! We’re so glad to hear that support—from onboarding and beyond—has stood out to you. Making communication flexible across feed, email, and text is intentional, and it’s great to know your team is using it effectively. We love hearing that teachers are comfortably signing children in, sharing photos, and sending updates with ease. It’s also wonderful that the trainings and additional resources have been helpful for your center. Learning a new system always takes some patience, but we’re glad the support has made the transition smooth. We’re grateful to be part of your center’s journey and are always here when you need us. JB Joy B. Owner Director Administrator Education Management Used the software for: Less than 6 months ### "Come on over the BEST Playground there is!!!" January 22, 2026 5.0 Playground has been very accommodating and easy to learn. The consultants have been professional and upfront. The time that Playground has saved me has been phenomenal compared to other products of its type! I am SUPER pleased with the service that it has given me this far. Pros I like the ease of the application and enrollment processes in Playground! I like that the paperwork is easily digitized and parent communication is easily used. It is a low cost compared to other products of this style and unlimited students and staff. For a small business like our school this was key! The app and desktop use are flawless and cohesive too. Cons I have not found anything I do not like about it at this time--everything has been quite easily done and moved over to the platform. Alternatives considered [Procare Solutions](https://www.capterra.com/p/23486/Procare-Child-Care-Management/)[brightwheel](https://www.capterra.com/p/144060/brightwheel/) Reason for choosing Playground The enrollment and admission feature was VERY appealing to me. I am a lead teacher who is the director/owner as well. My time is well used and extra time is minimal. This product allows me to spend less time administratively devoted to enrollment and waiting lists, so I have more time to spend planning and taking care of other things as well. Switched from [Wonderschool](https://www.capterra.com/p/207558/Wonderschool/) Because of cost and functionality and low cost to the "little people" like me Review Source Response from Playground January 26, 2026 Thanks so much for this thoughtful feedback. We’re so glad to hear Playground is helping you save time and streamline your enrollment and admin work, especially as someone wearing so many hats. It’s great to know the mobile & desktop flow feels cohesive and that the cost model works well for your program size. If there’s ever anything you feel could be smoother, especially around digitizing paperwork or customizing enrollment flows, we’re all ears. We're glad to hear our onboarding team has been helpful! We appreciate you being part of the Playground community. LV Lynette V. director Child Day Care Services Used the software for: Less than 6 months ### "Love Playground so far" January 9, 2026 5.0 Is being a really smooth transition and a really quick learning process. The way it simplify the process of invoices, communicating with parents and the door access is amazing for our school and the community we serve. Pros The way we can track the ratios in our classrooms, the communication with parents and staff. And the way we can just click and fix any type of last minute adjustment in the invoices. I really like that as an admin I have access to all the neccesary stuff without needing to move from app to app. Cons I really don't have anything I don't like and I hope don't get to that point. The only things I wish they have easier is to be able to give specific staff member access to the door in specific time instead of changing all the role. And that when adjusting an amount in the invoices instead of doing different isntallments is just one that I can add for example all the specials in one installments instead of doing one per specials. Switched from [Kangarootime](https://www.capterra.com/p/166487/Kangarootime/)[Dojo](https://www.capterra.com/p/246885/Dojo/) Kangaroo is a pain with their costumer services, and with keeping records that we constantly need to figure out or doing it in different app. I'm glad we switch Dojo we still using it, since with Playground we still figuring out creating groups chat for certain classess and groups Review Source Response from Playground January 16, 2026 Thank you for the honest review! We’re so glad to hear how valuable features like ratio tracking, parent/staff communication, invoice flexibility, and unified admin access have been for your program. Making real-time adjustments without jumping between apps is exactly the kind of operational ease we aim to deliver. It’s also great to hear that your transition has been smooth and that core workflows—like invoicing, family communication, and door access—are already making a tangible difference for your community. We appreciate you sharing your experience switching from other platforms. Thanks again for trusting Playground—we’re excited to keep growing with you! RL Rossy L. Director Child Day Care Services Used the software for: 1-2 years ### "Very Happy with the Playground App" November 19, 2025 5.0 Overall, our experience have been good. And when we find something that should be looked at, you guys consider any improvements necessary. Pros Child and parent management. We love how everything we need to communicate with parents are in one place; massages, pictures, menus, payments etc. Cons As of now, we like everything and hope that pricing doesnt go up like other experience we have had with other platforms Alternatives considered [brightwheel](https://www.capterra.com/p/144060/brightwheel/) Reason for choosing Playground When we met with the Playground team, we like the demonstration they provided Switched from [Procare Solutions](https://www.capterra.com/p/23486/Procare-Child-Care-Management/) Pricing and Playground had other features we liked and we didnt have before Review Source Response from Playground November 29, 2025 Thank you for the great feedback! We’re so glad to hear that Playground has been a helpful all-in-one hub for your parent communication, from messages and photos to menus, payments, and more. It’s exactly the kind of connected, streamlined experience we aim to provide. It’s great to know your experience has been positive overall, and that our team’s openness to feedback has made a difference. Thanks again for being part of the Playground community. We’re here to support you every step of the way! BR Brandy R. Owner and Operator Child Day Care Services Used the software for: 2+ years ### "Small Family Childcare Business" November 24, 2025 5.0 Pros Playground has been an absolute game-changer for my in-home childcare program. It keeps everything organized, from daily notes and photos to billing and attendance, and it makes communication with families seamless. Parents love the updates and I love how easy it is to document learning, track routines, and stay on top of paperwork. The interface is clean, intuitive, and constantly improving. Their customer service is truly exceptional—quick to respond, incredibly helpful, and always willing to go above and beyond to support providers. Playground saves me time every single day and helps me run my program more professionally. I highly recommend it to any childcare provider looking for a reliable, user-friendly system! Cons I really don't have anything bad to say about the software! It would be nice, someday, to be able to upload longer videos for parents. Alternatives considered [brightwheel](https://www.capterra.com/p/144060/brightwheel/) Reason for choosing Playground Brightwheel was harassing me pretty bad via daily phone calls when I was working. Review Source Response from Playground November 29, 2025 Thank you for this incredible review! We’re so glad Playground has been a game-changer for your in-home program while helping you stay organized, communicate effortlessly with families, and save time every day. It’s amazing to hear that parents love the updates and that documenting learning, tracking routines, and managing paperwork feels easy and professional. We’re especially proud that our customer service has stood out as exceptional. Fast, helpful, and willing to go above and beyond is exactly what we aim for. Your recommendation means a lot, and we’re honored to support providers like you doing such important work. If there’s ever anything more we can do, we’re just a message away! RM Rebecca M. Director Child Day Care Services Used the software for: Less than 6 months ### "First Time User" February 4, 2026 4.0 Coming from ProCare it's definitely easier and more parent friendly. Tadpoles was our original choice but Playground has been similar. Pros On-boarding support was great. Time built out weekly to go over any challenges and issues. Support ongoing is minimal but available. Cons Not as many features as our program needs. Little difficult to update each child's day without having to do multiple steps. Alternatives considered [Tadpoles](https://www.capterra.com/p/118895/Childcare/) Reason for choosing Playground Unable to invest in Apple products for Tadpole use. Switched from [Procare Solutions](https://www.capterra.com/p/23486/Procare-Child-Care-Management/) Started own program and didn't like my previous experience. Review Source Response from Playground February 9, 2026 Glad onboarding felt supportive and paced, that's exactly what we strive for! As for feature gaps, we’d love to understand more about what’s missing for your program - your feedback directly shapes how we prioritize what’s next. Please reach out to our support team as we'd love to understand how we can continue to improve things for you. TM Taneaha M. Owner and Director Child Day Care Services Used the software for: Less than 6 months ### "This is why I love playground" December 24, 2025 5.0 My overall experience with Playground has been positive and helpful for managing daily childcare operations. It makes communication with families easier, keeps student and staff information organized, and supports smoother scheduling, billing, and documentation. While there are occasional learning curves with certain features, the platform has helped streamline processes and improve efficiency within our center. Pros On demand support. Whenever I have a question, they are readily available and always have the resources to help. Cons I love everything. I switched from another system and I brag about the change. It was easy and I have so much more to help me stay organized. Switched from [Procare Solutions](https://www.capterra.com/p/23486/Procare-Child-Care-Management/) I switched from Procare to Playground due to unexpected charges and limited functionality that didn’t fully meet my center’s needs. Procare’s attendance tracking felt very basic, and it did not offer an integrated food program system, which is important for accurate reporting and compliance. Playground has provided more transparency, better tools for attendance tracking, and features that align more closely with how we operate our childcare center. Review Source Response from Playground December 26, 2025 Thank you for the thoughtful review! We’re so glad your switch to Playground has been a smooth, positive experience. It’s great to hear our on-demand support, tools for tracking, and all-in-one functionality are helping streamline your daily operations. We love knowing that you’re more organized and that communication, billing, scheduling, and documentation are easier. The integrated food program and improved transparency are exactly the kind of experience we aim to offer. We’re always here to help and we really appreciate you sharing your experience with others. Thanks for choosing Playground! EE Emily E. Administrative Coordinator Education Management Used the software for: Less than 6 months ### "Playground is the BEST Registration Program I have used." September 15, 2025 5.0 My overall experience has been great. I wish onboarding had been as thorough and helpful as the initial sales calls, but what onboarding lacked was made up for with the support feature being so accessible and immediate. Pros Constant access to extremely helpful, immediate customer support for both administrators and families. Simplicity in program set up and enrollment. Pricing is very reasonable and payment fees are low for families, especially the 1$ ACH. Cons Some of the automations are limiting. For example, a child's schedule can not reflect every other week enrollment, which is great for most families, but with so many students coming from multiple homes, with different schedules from week to week, it would be nice to have this flexibility. Alternatives considered [Mailinator](https://www.capterra.com/p/229657/Mailinator/) Switched from [UltraCamp](https://www.capterra.com/p/79171/UltraCamp/) Ultracamp was expensive and the reporting sucked. Way too robust Review Source Response from Playground September 16, 2025 Thank you for your feedback! We’re so glad to hear that you’ve had a great experience with our customer support - immediate access and helpful responses for both administrators and families is something we take pride in. It’s also great to know that you’ve found program setup and enrollment to be simple and straightforward. If you ever have questions or suggestions as you continue using Playground, we’re always just a message away! CH Carrie H. Office Manager Child Day Care Services Used the software for: 2+ years ### "The Playground App has made our lives so much easier! I would recommend Playground to any school!" August 23, 2025 5.0 Playground has made our lives so much easier at The Acorn. We went from almost everything on paper and a hassle to find and access, to a virtual, online platform where we can easily access almost all of our information. Licensing Inspectors have loved being about to go through student files and check for minimum standard requirements through Playground on their laptop, rather than pulling paper files and spending hours flipping through paperwork to check requirements. Our parents have loved having access to playground from their phone to get important reminders and updates, access the school events calendar, and receive daily and weekly photos and posts about what is happening in their child's classroom. The Playground makes it easy to quickly access data about the students or find a parent's contact information easily, as well as post weekly newsletters for each class. I love that for each announcement/post, as an Admin, I can choose to post on the app, send by email, send as an SMS text, or choose to send it all 3 ways. Also, anytime our school has a need or an idea to add to playground, it has been so easy to let them know and for them to actually create a new feature to help our school's individual needs. Customer service is the best! Pros The Acorn- A School for Young Children in San Antonio LOVES the Playground App and has been using it ever since we were a Demo school in 2020. The customer service is amazing! They are so easy to reach and always help fix any glitches or user-errors immediately. Our school has been using playground for school and student management, parent communication, sharing photos and classroom activities through posts, student required forms, attendance for students, daily staff hours for payroll, sharing resources and our parent handbook, sending school closure SMS text messages, storing emergency cards, accessing parent and student information, and much more. I love how user-friendly the app is for both parents and staff, as well as how the desktop use on the admin side is easy to navigate. There are so many helpful training videos and links for every topic you could think of, accessible to both staff and parents. It is well worth the money, and much more reasonably priced than other school management apps. Cons The only thing I can think of is that we would love to be able to have the CRM feature work for our school and be able to move all of our 45 years of Alumni data from our Access Database to the playground CRM. I also wish Playground could help build/manage our school website. Alternatives considered [Blackbaud Raiser's Edge NXT](https://www.capterra.com/p/247647/Blackbaud-Raiser-s-Edge-NXT/)[Blackboard](https://www.capterra.com/p/14500/Blackboard-LMS-for-Business/)[brightwheel](https://www.capterra.com/p/144060/brightwheel/) Reason for choosing Playground We chose Playground because of the ability to easily contact customer service and have the app updated and features added that our school needed, the price is more reasonable for the amount of features you have access to, and because we were able to be a demo school the first year and it was great learning how to use it for many different things. Review Source Response from Playground September 2, 2025 Thank you for such an incredible and detailed review! We’re honored to have The Acorn on Playground since 2020. It’s amazing to hear how seamlessly you’ve been able to use the platform across every aspect of your operations, from student management and communication to staff hours, payroll, and licensing compliance. We’re especially glad that both your families and staff find the platform user-friendly, and that features like multi-channel announcements (app, email, SMS), digital forms, and check-in tablets have made such a meaningful difference. It’s also wonderful to hear how our support team has continued to deliver fast, personalized service—and that your suggestions have led to real feature improvements. Thank you for continuing to trust Playground, for recommending it to others, and for helping shape the product into what it is today. We’re so grateful to be part of your community! KM Kelly M. Director Child Day Care Services Used the software for: 2+ years ### "Great Experience with Playground" August 29, 2025 5.0 I have had a great experience working with Playground these past few years. I appreciate the quick responses and their continued work on making improvements as their platform expands. Pros Had a great conversation with \[sensitive content hidden\] about Payroll. She was very knowledgeable and helpful and look forward to continued work together in the future! Cons I don't have any negative feedback to share at this time. I have had a great experience overall and appreciate working with the Playground team. Switched from [Procare Solutions](https://www.capterra.com/p/23486/Procare-Child-Care-Management/) More cost effective and liked the Playground platform more. Review Source Response from Playground September 2, 2025 Thank you for your thoughtful review! We’re so glad to hear you’ve had a great experience with our team. It’s also wonderful to hear that you’ve appreciated our quick responses, ongoing improvements, and overall support throughout the years. We’re excited to keep working with you and look forward to supporting your continued success with Playground! TM Tamika M. owner Child Day Care Services Used the software for: Less than 6 months ### "Owner and director" October 21, 2025 5.0 I give a 5-star for the help and learning of this app. Pros The app it self. also the help you get if you need questions answered right away. Cons I hope I don't have to answer this question. I am still new to this. Alternatives considered [Lillio](https://www.capterra.com/p/134048/HiMama-Preschool-Child-Care-App/) Reason for choosing Playground i wanted to see how your product will work for me Review Source Response from Playground October 27, 2025 Thank you for your feedback! We’re so glad to hear that you’re already having a positive experience with the app and the quick support you’re receiving. We’re here to make the transition smooth and easy as you continue exploring. We’re confident you’ll continue to see how our all-in-one platform can grow with your program. If you ever have questions or need guidance, our team is always just a click away! HH Helena H. Owner, Director Child Day Care Services Used the software for: Less than 6 months ### "So Glad I Made the Change!" December 16, 2024 5.0 Wonderful! They have been extremely helpful and it does so much in this one program! Pros That EVERYTHING is in one program! How GREAT their customer service is and that they spent time with me walking me through how to do important things and even did a lot of it for me!! Cons I haven't found anything. Anything that I might have liked better in another program, I just sent to their team and hope it helps them create something even better. Switched from [ProCARE Portal](https://www.capterra.com/p/140862/ProCARE-Portal/) The cost to add anything on to Procare to try to get close to what Playground offers was expensive. Their customer service was awful and I still had issues I had called about several times. They told me I didn't have access to something that I used every day and then told me I would need to pay extra to have access to something and I was paying the extra and still didn't have access. Review Source Response from Playground December 18, 2024 Thank you for sharing your experience! We’re thrilled to hear that you’re so glad you made the switch to Playground. It’s fantastic that you appreciate having everything in one program and have had such a positive experience with our customer service team. We’re glad they were able to walk you through important tasks and even assist in setting things up for you. Your satisfaction means the world to us, and we’re here to continue supporting you every step of the way! TC Tina C. Owner-Director Child Day Care Services Used the software for: Less than 6 months ### "Owner/Director" January 15, 2025 5.0 Fabulous. This is the #rd CCMS I have used and by far the BEST for all functions. Pros the ease of reports and making changes without changing screens Cons Chat was a bit cumbersome at first but easily figured out Alternatives considered [Lillio](https://www.capterra.com/p/134048/HiMama-Preschool-Child-Care-App/)[brightwheel](https://www.capterra.com/p/144060/brightwheel/) Reason for choosing Playground Customer service the demo sold me on the ease of all functions Switched from [Procare Solutions](https://www.capterra.com/p/23486/Procare-Child-Care-Management/) Not happy with several functions within Procare and disliked the Tuition Express system Review Source Response from Playground January 16, 2025 Thank you for your feedback! We’re thrilled to hear that you find the ease of generating reports and making changes without switching screens so beneficial. It’s fantastic to know that Playground stands out as the best CCMS you’ve used. If you have any additional thoughts or need assistance, we’re always here to help! SP Suzanne P. Owner Child Day Care Services Used the software for: 6-12 months ### "Great app and customer service - listens to requests!" November 5, 2024 4.0 Overall I love Playground, like I said earlier the customer service is the best I have experienced anywhere! For me the customer service experience supercedes anything that I want improved but they take suggestions and actually do change things if there are enough suggestions! Pros I like the customer service and helpfulness of the staff when help is needed! I have used other platforms and this is by far the most user friendly! I love that they listen to suggestions for improvement and actually do things to change it! Cons Honestly I don't have any real issues with Playground so if I have to choose something, it would have to be the billing portion as it is less friendly than other apps when you need to adjust the billing plan. Switched from [Procare Solutions](https://www.capterra.com/p/23486/Procare-Child-Care-Management/)[Wonderschool](https://www.capterra.com/p/207558/Wonderschool/)[brightwheel](https://www.capterra.com/p/144060/brightwheel/) Cost, research, included with programs we are involved in - definitely not my only reason for switching but I always try it out when offered. Review Source Response from Playground November 14, 2024 Thank you for your thoughtful feedback! We’re thrilled to hear that Playground’s customer service and user-friendly design have made such a positive impact for you. It’s wonderful to know that our team’s responsiveness to improvement suggestions is meaningful to you, and we truly value the input from users like you. We appreciate your comments about the billing portion and if you need some extra help, reach out and our friendly team will be happy to assist! Your experience with our customer service means a lot to us, and we’re committed to keeping it as a top priority. If you have more feedback or need any further assistance, we’re here to support you! SE Sherry E. Owner Child Day Care Services Used the software for: Less than 6 months ### "The features are Incredible!" October 26, 2024 5.0 So far, they have been EXTREMELY helpful and accommodating, going out of their way to answer my questions and look into adding some features. I love the one-on-one where we have video chat check-ins to see how I'm doing and if I have any questions. Pros There are so many features that are useful, some do not pertain to me, but I'm not burdened having to go through them. Cons It can be a little overwhelming, BUT see my description of the overall experience. Switched from [KidKare Accounting](https://www.capterra.com/p/10006285/KidKare-Accounting/) They were not very accommodating. They are changing some of their features that are important to me. I am not on the food program. It is geared more for that, so that was frustrating to me. I did not get the customer service I am getting from Playground. Review Source Response from Playground November 4, 2024 Thank you for your fantastic feedback! We’re thrilled to hear that you find Playground’s features useful and that navigating through them is easy. It’s great to know that our team has been helpful and accommodating, going above and beyond to answer your questions and consider new feature requests. We’re glad you enjoy the one-on-one video chat check-ins—they’re a great way to stay connected and ensure you’re getting the most out of Playground. If there’s anything else you need, we’re always here for you! HL Hannah L. Owner Director Child Day Care Services Used the software for: Less than 6 months ### "Playground is effective, helpful, and easy to use!" October 17, 2024 5.0 My overall experience has been very positive! I appreciate the attention to detail provided by the Playground team- it was so helpful that onboarding was thorough, and I have had quick responses any time I have a question. I am able to access communications and administrative functions easily and clearly. Pros Ease of use! We are able to easily communicate to families of children in our care. The ability to send photos is a great way to send evidence of learning home each day. I also really like how easy billing is through the Playground system. Cons Occasionally I have trouble remembering where some features are/have to search the help center to remember how to use certain functions. Alternatives considered [brightwheel](https://www.capterra.com/p/144060/brightwheel/) Reason for choosing Playground We had access to Playground through our shared services network and Playground also seemed to be a much better value to cost ratio and easier to use. Switched from [Wonderschool](https://www.capterra.com/p/207558/Wonderschool/) Wonderschool was difficult to use and would not send notifications. It was difficult to communicate with parents when they were not aware they had messages or announcements. Review Source Response from Playground October 28, 2024 Thank you for sharing your experience! We're thrilled to hear that Playground has been effective, helpful, and easy to use for communicating with families and sending daily learning photos. It’s wonderful to know that billing has been straightforward and that our team’s attention to detail has made onboarding and support seamless for you. We’re here to ensure everything remains smooth, so if you have any more questions or thoughts, please reach out anytime! DB Dana B. Child care provider Individual & Family Services Used the software for: Less than 6 months ### "Review of Playground 2024" February 16, 2024 5.0 So far it has been a great experience. \[sensitive content hidden\] is AMAZING! I am thankful for her and her ability to help me problem solve without making it seem like a hassle for her. Can't say enough great things about her! Pros I love that everything I need to help run my business is in one location. It is nice to have all that info available to the parents as well. Cons I wish there were more options available in the mobile portion. Alternatives considered [brightwheel](https://www.capterra.com/p/144060/brightwheel/) Reason for choosing Playground We chose Playground because of it being a newer more personal company. We felt like they were more willing to treat us like people and not a number. As we have learned more about Playground I feel like that is exactly what we are. More of a part of the family instead of just another customer. Review Source Response from Playground February 19, 2024 Thank you for your kind words! We're thrilled to hear that you chose Playground because of our personal approach and commitment to treating our customers like family. Building strong connections with our users is important to us, and we're grateful for your trust and support. If you ever have more insights to share or if there's anything else we can do for you, please don't hesitate to reach out. Thanks for being a valued member of the Playground family! TH Tayler H. Administrator Child Day Care Services Used the software for: 2+ years ### "A Game Changer for Our Daycare!" February 24, 2026 5.0 Overall, our experience has been extremely positive. Playground has helped our center improve communication, stay organized, and operate more efficiently day to day. It has simplified administrative tasks and strengthened our connection with families. We highly recommend it to any childcare provider looking for an all-in-one management solution! Pros What we love most about Playground is how it keeps everything organized in one place. Daily reports, attendance, billing, messaging, and paperwork are all streamlined and easy to manage. It saves our team so much time and helps us stay organized and professional. The communication feature makes it simple to keep families informed with real-time updates, photos, and announcements. Cons There was a small learning curve at first while getting everything set up, but once we became familiar with the system, it’s been very user-friendly and efficient. Review Source Response from Playground March 9, 2026 Thank you for such a thoughtful review. We’re really glad to hear Playground is helping your team stay organized and saving time across daily reports, attendance, billing, and communication with families. That all-in-one workflow is exactly what we aim to deliver. Totally fair that there can be a short learning period during setup. Once everything is configured, we’re happy to hear it’s been smooth and efficient for your team. It’s great to know the platform is helping strengthen communication with families while simplifying day-to-day admin work. We truly appreciate the recommendation! EL Erin L. Behavior Analyst Child Day Care Services Used the software for: 6-12 months ### "great customer support" April 17, 2026 5.0 we are using playground in an unusual way; for therapy instead of daycare; wonderful for parent communication Pros The customer support with Playground is FANTASTIC! They are professional and have been able to answer any questions that I've had. Cons I'm still learning more about what we can do with playground for our therapy center. I primarily use the forms and media threads. Review Source Response from Playground April 22, 2026 Thank you for the great feedback! We’re so glad to hear our support team has been helpful and responsive. As you continue exploring more features, we’re happy to help you tailor things to fit your workflow even better. Appreciate you being part of the Playground community! BS Bethany S. Director Child Day Care Services Used the software for: Less than 6 months ### "Learning Center " September 16, 2025 4.0 Pros Very new to the app, but already love the option for CRM included. User friendly and easy to transfer from another App. Cons Price is higher than average but worth it. Would love to see an option for payroll within a divided church/school. Switched from [Procare Solutions](https://www.capterra.com/p/23486/Procare-Child-Care-Management/) Need better communication and reporting. Review Source Response from Playground September 17, 2025 Thank you for your feedback! We’re excited to hear that even as a new user, you’re already loving the built-in CRM and finding Playground user-friendly. It’s great to know that transitioning from another app has been smooth for you. If you have any questions as you explore more features, our team is always here to support you! CJU Chiamaka Juliet U. Care giver Child Day Care Services Used the software for: Less than 6 months ### "Safe space for kids" October 27, 2025 5.0 Pros I like that play ground gives children a safe space and the platform to interact, have fun and be active. Cons Adjusting billing on the playground app is less intuitive. It is chunky and complex. It isn’t user friendly. Review Source Response from Playground November 1, 2025 Thank you for your feedback! We also hear your concern about the billing experience feeling less intuitive. If you’d like, our team would be happy to walk you through some of the billing tools in more detail or gather your specific suggestions—your input directly helps us shape the platform. We’re always here to help! DP David P. Director Education Management Used the software for: 2+ years ### "Best Preschool Management app" October 8, 2024 5.0 Playground makes center management easy through its intuitive design and full-featured feature set. Pros Although I rarely need it - the support is top notch Cons Waiting for new, exciting features! They iterate so quickly but I'm an eager beaver. Alternatives considered [Seesaw](https://www.capterra.com/p/204060/Seesaw/)[Procare Solutions](https://www.capterra.com/p/23486/Procare-Child-Care-Management/) Reason for choosing Playground User interface and strong support services Switched from [Seesaw](https://www.capterra.com/p/204060/Seesaw/) Looking for a more user friendly interface Review Source Response from Playground October 16, 2024 Thank you for your fantastic feedback! We’re thrilled to hear that you consider Playground the best preschool management app and that you find it easy to manage your center with its intuitive design and full-featured capabilities. It’s also great to know that even though you rarely need it, our support team has been top-notch when needed. If you ever have any more thoughts or questions, we’re always here to assist you! Similar Products Featured