# Playground Reviews 2026. Verified Reviews, Pros & Cons | Capterra > 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: https://www.capterra.com/p/220200/Playground/reviews/ --- 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 July 21st, 2026 # Reviews of Playground Ease of use 4.7 Customer Service 4.9 ## Pros and Cons in Reviews 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 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. “Administrators rave about the automated billing system, which virtually eliminates the headache of chasing down late tuition by offering parents easy autopay options.“ March 12, 2026 AM Adrienne M Owner-DirectorChild Day Care Services, 2 - 10 employeesUsed the software for: Less than 6 months. “Payment isn’t next day and takes 1-3 days, you’re only able to cash out payments two days per week, staff cannot view each others documentation“ August 2, 2024 ## 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. 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! 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! LS Latasha S. Business Operations Manager Child Day Care Services Used the software for: Less than 6 months ### "Noticeable Improvement Over Our Previous System" October 13, 2025 4.0 Overall, so far, my experience with Playground has been okay. The system functions well and has met most of our needs so far. However, some of the features we were told would be available prior to setup and payment have not been accessible as expected. Because of that, I’d say we like the system at this point, but we’re not quite at the “love it” stage yet. Pros I really appreciate the flexibility to customize certain categories to better fit our specific needs. The updated chat and messaging features for staff and parents are also a standout, they make communication much smoother and more efficient. Cons Some of the features and reports we were told would be available before signing up are actually not accessible. For example, we aren’t able to customize the food program report with the specific categories we need. 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). Additionally, there’s no option to require admin approval before staff send messages or responses to parents, which would be an important control for us. At this time these are our top cons. Switched from [Tuition Express](https://www.capterra.com/p/177236/Tuition-Express/)[Procare Solutions](https://www.capterra.com/p/23486/Procare-Child-Care-Management/) We decided to switch to Playground from Procare because we were looking for a system with more updated features and improved communication tools. Playground offered better customization options, a more modern interface, and enhanced messaging capabilities for staff and parents, which aligned better with our needs (although some features we previously had, are not available on Playground as initially advised it would be). Review Source Response from Playground October 14, 2025 Thank you for the honest and detailed review. We’re glad to hear that you appreciate the flexibility to customize Playground to better fit your center’s needs. We also hear your concerns clearly. We take that feedback seriously and are actively working to improve clarity and alignment during the onboarding process. It’s encouraging that Playground is meeting most of your current needs and that our more modern interface, enhanced messaging tools, and customization options were key reasons for your switch. We hope to earn that “love it” rating from you soon and would welcome the opportunity to reconnect about any missing features you were expecting—we’re here to help however we can. AD Angela D. Owner Child Day Care Services Used the software for: 2+ years ### "This app has been a great help to my childcare!" July 24, 2025 5.0 Overall, I love working with this program! I would recommend this to any childcare provider! My families also love the ease of communication and the ability to see snippets of their kos activities throughout the day! Pros I started using Playground when my state had an offer to use the software. I researched the 2 options they had and found Playground had the most to offer! I absolutely love the software! I can send paperwork to my families digitally and then file directly in the app! Less paper files for me to organize. I also will use the app to keep my families informed of our daily activities, meals, photos and more! I also can post important announcements and have them pinned to the top of the families feed to keep them informed of important dates such as closings and holidays. Anytime I have had a question on how to do something in the app the staff has been so helpful! Everyone has been very patient takes their time explaining things when I have questions. I have never felt rushed off the phone. My families use a tablet to check in and out every day which is helpful for record keeping purposes. I also use Playground to keep track of all of my tuition and expenses! I recommend this software to any childcare providers that I talk to. Cons I do wish there was an option to keep track of income outside of tuition such as food program reimbursements and grants. It would also be helpful when I use the time space calculator that it would save the information I put in from year to year such as the square footage of my home. It would also be helpful to have the ability to keep track of the time I work outside of childcare hours but still doing things related to my business. It would also be helpful to be able to look at and process payments from my phone or tablet as well as the computer. Sometimes parents have questions, and I don't always have my computer handy. Alternatives considered [brightwheel](https://www.capterra.com/p/144060/brightwheel/) Reason for choosing Playground The ability to be able to process expenses as well as my income. Switched from [KidKare Accounting](https://www.capterra.com/p/10006285/KidKare-Accounting/) Playground offered the ability to communicate with parents directly in the app. Review Source Response from Playground July 25, 2025 Thank you so much for your thoughtful and detailed review! We’re thrilled to hear that Playground has been such a valuable tool for your center—from streamlining paperwork and record-keeping to improving communication with families. It’s great to know that features like digital forms, daily updates, announcements, check-in/out, and tuition tracking have made such a positive impact on your operations. We’re especially happy to hear that our support team has been helpful and patient whenever you’ve had questions. Your recommendation to other childcare providers means a lot to us, and we’re honored to be a part of your day-to-day work. We’re here to support you and your families every step of the way! PM Pamella M. Owner Operator Child Day Care Services Used the software for: Less than 6 months ### "Playground is Superior to Other Programs" January 22, 2026 5.0 After trying 2 other programs this is the only one that I was able to use from day one without having issues. Pros Playground was very easy to learn. I love the fact I can access from my laptop and phone. It has been super easy to keep up with paperwork and expenses. Everything is easy to navigate to manage my children and parents. Cons So far I have not found anything about Playground that I don't like. If I have a question they have been quick to answer which is a plus. Switched from [Procare Solutions](https://www.capterra.com/p/23486/Procare-Child-Care-Management/)[brightwheel](https://www.capterra.com/p/144060/brightwheel/) others were very hard to understand and customer service was subpar Review Source Response from Playground January 26, 2026 Thank you for the great review! We’re thrilled to hear that Playground has been easy to learn and that managing paperwork, expenses, and communication from both your laptop and phone has been smooth. That kind of flexibility is exactly what we aim to provide. It’s also great to know our support team has been responsive whenever questions have come up. We’re honored to be part of your day-to-day, and we’re here anytime you need us! MC Miranda C. Owner and Director Child Day Care Services Used the software for: Less than 6 months ### "Yes! yes! Yes!" October 20, 2025 5.0 I absolutely love it! It has been such a great experience, and I’ve shared it with many other centers throughout the Sioux Falls area. I truly believe it could benefit so many programs the same way it has ours. Pros I love the Playground app because it seamlessly incorporates a CRM. Once my website is up and running, it’ll help me build strong, consistent revenue streams. Cons What I like least is the payroll timing. It says funds pull the next day, but it often takes several days to process, which causes issues. Switched from [Procare Solutions](https://www.capterra.com/p/23486/Procare-Child-Care-Management/)[HighLevel](https://www.capterra.com/p/177156/HighLevel/)[QuickBooks Online](https://www.capterra.com/p/190778/QuickBooks-Online/)[GoDaddy Website Builder](https://www.capterra.com/p/182500/GoDaddy-Website-Builder/) Everything is in one place, ease, and conscience Review Source Response from Playground October 24, 2025 Thank you so much for your kind words and for spreading the word about Playground in the Sioux Falls area—it means a lot! We’re thrilled to hear that the built-in CRM has already made such an impact and that you’re looking forward to using it even more once your website is live. Building strong, consistent revenue streams is exactly the kind of growth we love to support. We’re also glad the all-in-one convenience and ease of use made switching from your previous system a clear choice. If there’s anything else we can do to help as you continue rolling out Playground—or ideas you’d like to share—we’re always here for you! RF Rebecca F. Direcot Child Day Care Services Used the software for: Less than 6 months ### "Excellent program" January 22, 2025 5.0 It is so user friendly - easy to figure out without much guidance, but also with a support time just a click away. The one question that I had was answered within hours of sending an email. The amount of paper we will be using is going to drop dramatically - the system will pay for itself in copy paper costs alone. Having everything at your fingertips makes my job so much easier. Loving the daily payouts as well. Pros The customer service is fantastic and they listen to the issues that we come across - any glitches are fixed quickly and they take my suggestions into account to make improvements. Knowing that you can schedule an appointment anytime with a customer service person dedicated to your account is wonderful Cons We are very new to the program so we are still learning it. I wish there was a way for parents to sign documents with an original signature as that is required by licensing - for example an injury report that needs to be signed by all witnesses and the guardian. Its possible there are ways around this that I just haven't discovered yet. 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 We joined a shared service alliance and this product was the choice that fit our alliance best Review Source Response from Playground January 23, 2025 Thank you for your thoughtful feedback! We’re so glad to hear that you’re enjoying Playground and find it user-friendly and efficient. It’s fantastic that our responsive customer service team and their ability to address issues quickly and consider your suggestions have made such a positive impact. The ability to schedule a dedicated appointment and receive prompt email responses is something we strive to offer for a seamless experience. We’re thrilled that Playground is helping reduce paper usage significantly, saving costs and streamlining your workflow. It’s also great to hear that the daily payouts are a helpful feature. If you ever need anything, our support 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! 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! CE Chris E. Director Child Day Care Services Used the software for: I used a free trial ### "Positive Experience" January 9, 2025 5.0 Pros It puts more of the responsibility with parents. I spend less time with uncomfortable conversations, asking people to pay. Cons Nothing at the moment. I am still learning to navigate. Switched from [Child Care Seer](https://www.capterra.com/p/216501/Child-Care-Seer/) It was not a good value. There were continual bugs Review Source Response from Playground January 10, 2025 Thank you for sharing your feedback! We’re glad to hear that Playground has made managing payments easier by shifting more responsibility to parents, reducing uncomfortable conversations. As you continue learning to navigate the platform, feel free to reach out if you have any questions or need assistance—we’re here to help! RL Rachel L. Director Child Day Care Services Used the software for: Less than 6 months ### "Excellent Service" October 30, 2024 5.0 So far, our experience has been a great one. The playground staff our very helpful and respond to us quickly. Pros I love how everything is in one spot and you have easy access. I also love that if you need a feature to be added that you can request the feature and playground's team will look into it further to see if they can accommodate our needs. Cons Their are a few cons but it could be a feature that gets added at a later time. Students contracts cannot be added to their schedule as marking them out(not absent) on the days they are contracted out and same with the staff schedules. I am hopeful that more features will be added as time goes on. Alternatives considered [brightwheel](https://www.capterra.com/p/144060/brightwheel/) Reason for choosing Playground The CACFP was more user friendly than Bright wheel. We felt a little overwhelmed with the initial process of Bright wheel. Review Source Response from Playground November 6, 2024 Thank you for your positive feedback! We’re delighted to hear that you appreciate having everything in one place with easy access in Playground. It’s great to know that our feature request process is helpful for you and that we strive to accommodate your needs. We’re glad your experience has been excellent so far and that our team has been responsive and helpful. If you have any more thoughts or need assistance, we’re always here to support you! SG Sabrina G. Director Child Day Care Services Used the software for: 1-2 years ### "Playground review " September 6, 2024 5.0 We are very happy from making the switch from Curacubby to Playground. So much easier to use and a lot more features are included with no extra charges. The customer service is amazing and attentive. Pros User friendly, easy way to stay in contact with our parents, billing is pretty simple. Cons It creates two accounts if you are a staff and also either a parent/authorized pick-up guardian on a student enrolled, which in turn gives you two accounts. Sometimes parents message one of those accounts and we don't get the notifications for it. Reverse alphabetizing the student roster. Alternatives considered [brightwheel](https://www.capterra.com/p/144060/brightwheel/) Reason for choosing Playground \[sensitive content hidden\] really did an amazing job, he is truly the reason we decided to go with Playground over Brightwheel. Review Source Response from Playground September 16, 2024 Thank you for sharing your positive experience! We're thrilled to hear that making the switch to Playground has been a great decision for you. It's wonderful to know that you find the platform user-friendly, easy for staying in contact with parents, and that billing has been simple. We're especially glad that you have had a fantastic experience with our attentive customer service. If you ever have more feedback or need assistance, we're always here to help! RB Rachel B. Director Child Day Care Services Used the software for: Less than 6 months ### "Nicely streamlined features" September 18, 2024 5.0 The experience with customer support is very responsive. Pros I like being able to collect enrollment documents online Cons Some parents have a hard time navigating. I don't get notifications automatically when a family applies. They should add a feature that notifies staff when we post their weekly schedule. Alternatives considered [Procare Solutions](https://www.capterra.com/p/23486/Procare-Child-Care-Management/) Reason for choosing Playground A colleague recommendation over procare Switched from [Wonderschool](https://www.capterra.com/p/207558/Wonderschool/) Price was better than the percentage of revenue we used to pay wonderschool. Review Source Response from Playground September 24, 2024 Thank you for your feedback! We’re glad to hear that you appreciate the streamlined features of Playground, especially the ability to collect enrollment documents online. It’s also great to know that you’ve had a positive experience with our responsive customer support. If you have any more thoughts or need further assistance, we’re here to help! 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! DJ Diamond J. IT Support and Marketing E-Learning Used the software for: Less than 6 months ### "Streamlined Communication and Management for Our Learning Center" October 31, 2025 5.0 Overall, Playground has been an excellent addition to our center’s workflow. It improves communication, enhances parent engagement, and simplifies management tasks. The support team is responsive and open to feedback, which makes the experience even better. Despite a few small limitations, it’s a platform we rely on daily and highly recommend to other centers. Pros Playground makes communication between parents and staff simple and organized. I love how easy it is to manage attendance, send messages, and share updates with families. The parent app is intuitive, and the platform saves our staff time with sign-ins and daily reports. Cons SMS messages to parents must be under 250 characters, which can be limiting when sending important updates. Also, phone calls through the platform only work for leads, not for all parents, which would be a great feature to have across the board. Review Source Response from Playground November 3, 2025 Thank you for the thoughtful review! We’re so glad Playground has become an essential part of your center’s workflow—making communication, attendance, and daily updates simpler and more organized. It’s especially great to hear that the family app feels intuitive and that the platform is saving your staff time each day. Your recognition of the support team and their responsiveness means a lot, and we appreciate you calling out the value of being open to feedback—that’s something we pride ourselves on. We’re constantly working to improve, and insights like yours help guide that progress. Thank you again for the recommendation—we’re proud to support your center and excited to keep growing with you! JR Jenna R. CEO Education Management Used the software for: Less than 6 months ### "Satisfied Owner" September 15, 2025 5.0 I am very pleased with my experience with Playground and the customer service is top notch. We are excited to get going. Pros So much offered in one app. It's an all in one system. I'm very impressed with everything Playground offers and there's no need to have multiple apps for different things in the business. Cons There is nothing that I do not like about playground so far. My experience has been great from getting started to the very helpful zoom calls. Review Source Response from Playground September 16, 2025 Thank you for your kind words! We’re so glad to hear that you’re impressed with Playground and enjoying the convenience of having everything you need in one platform. Eliminating the need for multiple apps is exactly what we aim to do. Our goal is to make your day-to-day easier and more efficient. It’s also wonderful to hear that your experience getting started has been smooth, and that the Zoom calls have been helpful and supportive. We’re excited for you as you continue rolling out Playground, and we’re here whenever you need us! SE Sheila E. Provider Education Management Used the software for: Less than 6 months ### "Yes To The App" March 27, 2025 5.0 Yes it was a bit much in the beginning to go through and knowing every little detail but give yourself time it will all fall into place. Pros Having all my things in one place and being able to pay through the app!!!! Cons I would love if the food program and the playground app can combined there menus together. Review Source Response from Playground April 1, 2025 Thank you for your feedback! We’re glad to hear you’re enjoying the convenience of having everything in one place and the ability to handle payments directly through the app. We’re here to support you every step of the way! 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