# 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 March 13th, 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. “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 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. “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 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. “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 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! 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. DM Debbie M. Owner-Provider Child Day Care Services Used the software for: Less than 6 months ### "Playground-Friendly not so Friendly Child Care Application" January 16, 2026 5.0 Overall, I am enjoying the application and I am confident it will all start falling in to place once I have mastered all the functions. Pros I like that I am able to easily check in/out students and the communication with the parents is a plus. Find it challenging with having many different sections to post daily activities such as eating/napping, etc. Cons The most difficult is the financial billing option. It is very difficult to understand, and to be honest the in person on boarding is too short and as a provider who has the time to sit and watch a video to figure it all out. So until I master it, the parents are all going crazy with the encounters. Alternatives considered [brightwheel](https://www.capterra.com/p/144060/brightwheel/) Reason for choosing Playground The office of Children and Family Services-NYS Empire Program Requirement Switched from [Lillio](https://www.capterra.com/p/134048/HiMama-Preschool-Child-Care-App/) The application was not working well/shut down Review Source Response from Playground January 21, 2026 Thank you for the thoughtful and honest feedback! We’re glad to hear you’re finding check-in/out and parent communication smooth and helpful—those are core to a great daily flow. We also appreciate your transparency about how we can continue supporting you. Our team can walk you through simplified billing steps live or provide specific examples based on your setup, just let us know. And for posting daily activities, we’d be happy to show you a workflow that reduces the back-and-forth between sections. You’re doing great, and it will click! We’re here to help make that happen faster so let us know what you need! BB Brooke B. Director Child Day Care Services Used the software for: Less than 6 months ### "The software your center needs!" February 15, 2026 5.0 Pros Playground has everything my center needs in one place! It keeps my teachers and parents all connected. I can keep track of all my state compliance, employees, hours, payroll, and student needs in one easy to use platform! Cons The billing took us a little while to get used to but the support team was amazing in teaching us the best ways to utilize mass billing and as well as other needs we had. 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 price was better and it was very user friendly. The support staff is amazing. Switched from [Jackrabbit Dance](https://www.capterra.com/p/93349/Jackrabbit-Dance/) Jackrabbit decided to close Jackrabbit Care and focus on their other platforms. Review Source Response from Playground February 24, 2026 So glad to hear Playground is covering everything your center needs in one place. Totally understand that billing can take a little time to get comfortable with and we're glad our team was able to walk you through it. If anything else ever feels complex, we’re always here to simplify it with you. Thanks for your review! 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! 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! AW Aliyah W. Director Child Day Care Services Used the software for: 6-12 months ### "Program Director" September 8, 2025 5.0 Playground has been a game-changer for my business, and the transition has been seamless. Our account manager has been there every step of the way, teaching our team how to use the system to maximize systems through Playground. Pros Playground has been one of the most significant assets that our company has invested in. It has saved our company a considerable amount of time and money. Parent communication is a breeze, and families love being able to know in real time what their children are doing. We also recently added the CRM, and within the first week, we were easily able to reach and enroll new families. The CRM is excellent as managing new families is automatically created once families show interest. Cons There are certain features that I would like to see to even simplify the role as an administrator. I love that Playground accepts the suggestions from customers and tey to implement them in new releases. Switched from [Procare Solutions](https://www.capterra.com/p/23486/Procare-Child-Care-Management/) There were lots of hidden fees and so many things that we still need to manually enter. Review Source Response from Playground September 8, 2025 Thank you for your thoughtful and detailed review! We’re thrilled to hear that Playground has become such a valuable asset for your business by saving time, reducing costs, and making parent communication effortless. It’s especially exciting to hear that the CRM is already helping you connect with and enroll new families so quickly. That kind of immediate impact is exactly what we aim for. It’s wonderful to know your transition was seamless and that your account manager has been hands-on in helping your team maximize the platform. We’re honored to be part of your growth and look forward to continuing to support you! 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! 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! RN Rebecca N. Owner Child Day Care Services Used the software for: Less than 6 months ### "Highly recommend!" March 31, 2025 5.0 Onboarding was easy and support is always available. I'm still learning, but so far I really love it! Pros All of it is amazing! Support is fast and so helpful. I love the lesson planning feature. Billing is simple. CRM is great. I love everything about Playground! Cons I have no complaints. There are features that could be a little more user friendly, but they have a place where you can suggest changes, and actually do them! Alternatives considered [Wix](https://www.capterra.com/p/169007/Wix/) Reason for choosing Playground The entry price was very manageable. Once I started using it I upgraded to include CRM and will be adding payroll soon! Review Source Response from Playground April 18, 2025 Thank you for the fantastic review! We’re thrilled to hear that you love everything about Playground—from lesson planning and billing to CRM and support. It’s great to know that onboarding was smooth, and that our team has been helpful and responsive as you continue learning the platform. We’re especially glad you’re taking advantage of our suggestion system and seeing your input turned into real improvements. It’s also wonderful to hear that you started with a manageable entry point and saw the value in upgrading to CRM, with plans to add payroll soon. We’re excited to keep supporting you as your needs grow! 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! 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! KM Karen M. Administrative Assistant Child Day Care Services Used the software for: 1-2 years ### "Playground is the best" August 26, 2024 5.0 I am constantly learning how to do new things with Playground, which is great! Overall, my experience has been superb, and it makes my day much more enjoyable! Pros It isvery easy to use, yet very powerful. The staff is great, and they are very receptive to ideas to add or improve Playground. Our parents really like how easy it is to sign their children in and out, and the communication with staff. WE tried other products and feel that Playground gives us the best value! Cons As an Administrator, I can't do some things from the App such as fix other staff members time in or time out, and I can't run reports. Switched from [Tadpoles](https://www.capterra.com/p/118895/Childcare/) Playground had more and better features. Personally I love that I can run a report and export it to an Excel spreadsheet. Review Source Response from Playground September 3, 2024 Thank you for your fantastic feedback! We're thrilled to hear that you find Playground both easy to use and powerful. It's wonderful to know that your parents appreciate the ease of signing children in and out, as well as the communication features. Your positive experience and the fact that it makes your day more enjoyable mean a lot to us. If you have any more thoughts or suggestions, we're always here to listen and support you! HR Hope R. Daycare provider Child Day Care Services Used the software for: 1-2 years ### "Play ground is awesome!" August 19, 2024 5.0 Playground has been a great expirience and customer service has always been great with answering questions. Pros I love that I can enter in what the kids eat, track diapers/potty. My favorite feature is the billing portion- I love that you can set invoices to send automatically and parents can choose to have their payments come out automatically also! Cons I don't have any complaints, this program works very well for my daycare. Switched from [brightwheel](https://www.capterra.com/p/144060/brightwheel/) I liked what Playground had to offer. They are similar but at the time, playground has more features. Review Source Response from Playground August 26, 2024 Thank you for your feedback! We're delighted to hear that you love the ability to track kids' meals and diapers/potty in Playground. It's fantastic to know that the billing feature is your favorite, especially with the convenience of setting up automatic invoices and allowing parents to automate their payments. If you have any other thoughts or need assistance, we're always here to support you! 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! KD Kayla D. Owner and Provider Child Day Care Services Used the software for: Less than 6 months ### "Kayla Cares Daycare" December 3, 2025 5.0 It has been fairly easy to use and navigate. The parent’s seem to like it as well. It was very nice having someone help set you up. Pros I like being able to keep track of payments and being able to keep track of attendance as well as my clock in and out times. Cons There isn’t anything I dislike about Playground. I have had no issues so far and I will continue to use this. Review Source Response from Playground December 5, 2025 Thank you for your kind review! We’re so glad to hear that Playground has made it easy to track payments, attendance, and your own clock-in/out times—all in one place. It’s great that the platform has been smooth to navigate, that your parents are enjoying it too, and that setup support was helpful. We love hearing that you haven’t run into any issues and plan to keep using Playground—exactly the kind of experience we aim for. If you ever need anything or want to explore more features, we’re always here to help! GA Gabriela A. Owner Child Day Care Services Used the software for: 6-12 months ### "Best Software" August 21, 2025 5.0 Pros Like that you can find everything you need in one single software. Communication with parents. The Eta on parents. Cons There is nothing at this time that I have found that might be a problem. Everything is running smoothly. Review Source Response from Playground September 2, 2025 Thank you for your feedback! We’re so glad to hear that you’re enjoying the all-in-one convenience of Playground and that communication with parents, especially features like ETA tracking, is working smoothly for you. It’s great to know everything is running well and that nothing has stood out as a problem. If anything ever does come up or you have ideas for improvement, our team is always just a message away! 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! 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! SW Shiela W. tba Child Day Care Services Used the software for: Less than 6 months ### "Disappointed" February 24, 2025 2.0 workless at this point. Pros Im reviews were priceless before this nightmare. I am not sure how to find your web page. But, I guess it doesn't matter. Because that I am requesting wouldn't take but five minutes of your time. to send me a copy of my w2. Cons trying to talk with a representative. no live response. Review Source Response from Playground April 1, 2025 Thank you for your feedback. We’re truly sorry to hear about your frustration in trying to get support. If you’re looking to access your W-2, our support team can absolutely assist you with that. The fastest way to get help is through the in-app chat—just open the Playground app or website, click the chat icon, and someone from our team will be with you shortly. If you’re unable to access the app or need direct help, feel free to email support@tryplayground.com and our team will prioritize your request. We’re here to help and want to make this right for you. Similar Products Featured ## Related categories [Daycare](https://www.capterra.com/child-care-software/)