# Page 2 | Playground Reviews 2026. Verified Reviews, Pros & Cons | Capterra > Page 2 - 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 # Page 2 - Reviews of Playground ## Showing most helpful reviews Showing 26-50 of 194 Reviews Sort by: Most Helpful Rating Company Size Reviewer's Role Length of Use Frequency of Use 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! 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! 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. WT William T. President Child Day Care Services Used the software for: Less than 6 months ### "Glad we changed to Playground!" October 13, 2025 5.0 The conversion was relatively easy; to save time, I did a lot of it myself. What made this possible was the excellent help/support. They really have a great team! Pros We switched from BrightWheel, because of the Predictive Enrollment Feature. This allows us to accurately and quickly see what slots we can fill. What a game changer! Cons While Playground's Reports are much better than BrightWheel's, some key reports are missing. For example, there is a report to show expired staff documents (which is a great feature), but not a report to show what will be expiring soon. Alternatives considered [CareDay](https://www.capterra.com/p/10009294/CareDay/) Reason for choosing Playground They do not have a demo site that you can go to before you purchase, so when you finally get into it. There are a lot of things missing. Switched from [brightwheel](https://www.capterra.com/p/144060/brightwheel/) The Predictive Enrollment feature is a game-changer. Review Source Response from Playground October 14, 2025 Thank you for your detailed review! We’re so glad to hear that Playground’s Predictive Enrollment feature has been a game changer for your team—helping you quickly and accurately see available slots is exactly the kind of insight we aim to deliver. We appreciate your feedback on reports as well, we’ll be sure to pass that along to our product team. It’s also great to hear that your conversion process was smooth and that our support team made it possible for you to take the lead where needed. We’re proud to be supporting your program and are here anytime you need us! AI Abdu I. Office Manager Child Day Care Services Used the software for: 1-2 years ### "A Must for Day Care Owners" October 9, 2025 5.0 Playground is a business necessity. I can't imagine this Day Care running without it. I love that its constantly getting better by adding helpful features. Pros Child management, parent communication is what I like most about Playground & integrated payments. Parents being able to speak to their child's teacher directly frees up our administrators & phone lines. Cons Billing needs improvement. I'm looking forward to being able to set a recurring billing plan that continues, without having to set an end date. Switched from [brightwheel](https://www.capterra.com/p/144060/brightwheel/) Playground had features that were unavailable on Brightwheel at the time. Also, Playgrounds customer service is much better do to speed & having an assigned account manager that we can speak to live. Review Source Response from Playground October 10, 2025 Thank you for the incredible review! We’re so glad to hear that Playground has become a business necessity for your program. It’s great to know that features like integrated payments, direct parent-teacher messaging, and child management are making such a meaningful difference—especially by freeing up your admins and phone lines. Your experience is exactly the type of impact we strive to deliver. We’re honored to be part of your day-to-day operations and look forward to continuing to grow alongside your program! CW Christen W. Owner Child Day Care Services Used the software for: Less than 6 months ### "I"M GLAD I MADE THE SWITCH!" September 24, 2025 5.0 Best childcare Platform HANDS DOWN! I've tried multiple platforms to see which was best for my program, and nothing has worked for me. Every platform is and has been different with their own special quirks, however, Playground has been my absolute favorite and I'm very pleased to have them for my program. I would love to partner with Playground one day soon, and become a spokesperson for them, train other centers how to use the platform and more! Precious Pumpkins Daycare is very pleased with Playground! Pros I loved that the transition was so smooth along with it being user friendly for everyone, families, my team and myself! If you can use Facebook you can use Playground! Cons 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. So far so good! Switched from [brightwheel](https://www.capterra.com/p/144060/brightwheel/) I wasn't pleased with how brightwheel did business, nor with how their platform was. Review Source Response from Playground September 30, 2025 Thank you for the incredible review! We’re thrilled to hear that your transition to Playground was smooth and that the platform has been easy to use for you, your team, and your families. “If you can use Facebook, you can use Playground” is the perfect way to put it! It means so much that after trying multiple platforms, Playground has become your favorite and that you feel it’s the best childcare platform, hands down. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you need any additional support. And a huge thank you from all of us at Playground for the shoutout from Precious Pumpkins! GR Galen R. Owner and Director Recreational Facilities and Services Used the software for: Less than 6 months ### "Indispensable Business Value and Owner Experience" September 27, 2025 5.0 I needed to set up a new business and center quickly, and if Playground hadn't been available I'd still be arguing about high prices and struggling with onboarding with the competition. Playground was fast, covered almost all my business needs, and was affordable. I probably wouldn't be up and running already if it weren't for Playground. Pros Playground puts so many functions into once system: enrollment, paperwork, daily check-in and check-out, scheduling of staff, billing, and payroll. To get 90% of all operation functions covered by a single platform which is so much more reasonablly priced than the competitors makes Playground an easy choice. Cons Unfortunately having to use tryplayground for URLs is inconvenient and makes it a little harder than necessary to point families to it. Also a little frustrating that the mobile app doesn't mirror all the same functionality of the website even as an administrator. That said, the apps do most of what peoples' day-to-day needs are, and the website allows full access and ability to handle anything the mobile app either didn't allow or which didn't get handled right the first time. 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 Much more complete featureset, integrated platform, included payroll, invoicing/billing, all for much lower price for a small after-school Review Source Response from Playground September 29, 2025 Thank you for your incredible feedback! We’re so glad Playground helped you move quickly and confidently in launching your new program. It’s great to hear that having enrollment, paperwork, check-in/out, staff scheduling, billing, and payroll all in one platform and at a good price made such a difference. Your story perfectly captures what we strive for: giving providers the tools they need without delays, complexity, or inflated costs. We’re proud to have played a role in getting you up and running, and we’re here to keep supporting your success every step of the way! 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! TM Taneaha M. Owner and Director Child Day Care Services Used the software for: Less than 6 months ### "This is why I love playground" December 24, 2025 5.0 My overall experience with Playground has been positive and helpful for managing daily childcare operations. It makes communication with families easier, keeps student and staff information organized, and supports smoother scheduling, billing, and documentation. While there are occasional learning curves with certain features, the platform has helped streamline processes and improve efficiency within our center. Pros On demand support. Whenever I have a question, they are readily available and always have the resources to help. Cons I love everything. I switched from another system and I brag about the change. It was easy and I have so much more to help me stay organized. Switched from [Procare Solutions](https://www.capterra.com/p/23486/Procare-Child-Care-Management/) I switched from Procare to Playground due to unexpected charges and limited functionality that didn’t fully meet my center’s needs. Procare’s attendance tracking felt very basic, and it did not offer an integrated food program system, which is important for accurate reporting and compliance. Playground has provided more transparency, better tools for attendance tracking, and features that align more closely with how we operate our childcare center. Review Source Response from Playground December 26, 2025 Thank you for the thoughtful review! We’re so glad your switch to Playground has been a smooth, positive experience. It’s great to hear our on-demand support, tools for tracking, and all-in-one functionality are helping streamline your daily operations. We love knowing that you’re more organized and that communication, billing, scheduling, and documentation are easier. The integrated food program and improved transparency are exactly the kind of experience we aim to offer. We’re always here to help and we really appreciate you sharing your experience with others. Thanks for choosing Playground! TH Tony H. Owner Child Day Care Services Used the software for: Less than 6 months ### "Happy To Be On The Playground " September 11, 2025 5.0 100% satisfied and would highly recommend to fellow childcare providers seeking something a little more user-friendly with all the new updates. Pros I can tell you off the top that it's the billing and customer service for me. The last two childcare software apps we had were not as good. It's so disappointing to have all your deposits cleared only to find out that they did not, and you're having money pulled from your account three days later. Well, Playground will decline for insufficient funds on the spot and notify the client immediately, so you can collect in-house if needed. Now the customer service chat is a REAL PERSON, no more A.i. bot that cannot solve your issue, leaving you to wait days for a tech to call you back. Our parents only had it for a week and are already saying how easy it is to navigate, much better than the other apps, so that's a plus. Our assigned onboarding operator \[sensitive content hidden\] has been a lifesaver, eliminating all the nervousness of switching to a new app; she made it so easy to learn with her 30-minute weekly trainings. Oh, let me not forget that apps allow you to make all your documents fillable, so we're about 90% paperless now. Cons The only thing was the video camera, but we figured out that our iPad doesn't video well, so we switched to Android, and everything is crisp and clear. Switched from [brightwheel](https://www.capterra.com/p/144060/brightwheel/) Billing, Communication, and Reports were not up to standard for me. Review Source Response from Playground September 14, 2025 Thank you for such a detailed and powerful review! We’re so glad to hear that billing and customer service have been standout features for you—especially after your experience with other platforms. It’s great to know that real-time NSF handling and immediate client notifications are helping you stay in control of your finances. We’re especially proud that our customer service chat and your onboarding specialist made the transition feel smooth and confident with her trainings. It’s also fantastic to hear that your parents are already noticing how much easier Playground is to use, and that you’re now 90% paperless thanks to the fillable documents feature. Your 100% satisfaction means everything to us, and we truly appreciate you recommending Playground to other providers looking for something more modern, responsive, and easy to use. We’re here to support you every step of the way! 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! 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! 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! 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! TD Tammy D. owner Child Day Care Services Used the software for: Less than 6 months ### "playground review" January 9, 2026 4.0 Good experience. The person that on boarded e was super helpful and i find the auto spot to ask questions is quite thorough! Pros I LOVE the auto pay!! I also like the sign in and out, helps me keep track of the children's hours as well as my own !It is a bit of a learning curve to make all the components work. Cons hard to maneuver around and remember all the steps. Took awhile to figure out how to change billing items Alternatives considered [brightwheel](https://www.capterra.com/p/144060/brightwheel/) Reason for choosing Playground cost, ease of use, looked interesting to me Switched from [Procare Solutions](https://www.capterra.com/p/23486/Procare-Child-Care-Management/) less money for playground and i was only using pro care for billing Review Source Response from Playground January 16, 2026 Thank you for the thoughtful review! We’re so glad to hear you’re loving features like autopay and the sign-in/out tracking. We appreciate your honesty about the learning curve. Playground is a powerful tool, and some features like billing edits can definitely take a few extra steps to get comfortable with at first. That said, it’s great to hear your onboarding experience was strong and that you’ve found the built-in support tools thorough and helpful. If there’s anything you’re still finding tricky, don’t hesitate to reach out—our team is always here to walk you through it! BF Britney F. Owner and Operator Child Day Care Services Used the software for: 6-12 months ### "Peace of mind in one place" February 21, 2026 5.0 Pros I love that the platform can manage my business tracking and childcare needs in one place. Their customer service is quick and helpful. I couldn't recommend Playground more! Cons So far no issues after a year of being with them. They have solved and worked me through any issues or limitations I've had Alternatives considered [brightwheel](https://www.capterra.com/p/144060/brightwheel/) Reason for choosing Playground Brightwheel required a certain number of children enrolled. Playground didn't have a minimum. Review Source Response from Playground February 24, 2026 Thank you so much for the kind words! We’re thrilled to hear that Playground has helped you manage your business needs all in one place. It means a lot that after a full year, you’re still having a smooth experience and that our team has been able to support you through any questions along the way. We truly appreciate your recommendation and are grateful to be part of your journey! KM Kelly M. Director Child Day Care Services Used the software for: 2+ years ### "Great Experience with Playground" August 29, 2025 5.0 I have had a great experience working with Playground these past few years. I appreciate the quick responses and their continued work on making improvements as their platform expands. Pros Had a great conversation with \[sensitive content hidden\] about Payroll. She was very knowledgeable and helpful and look forward to continued work together in the future! Cons I don't have any negative feedback to share at this time. I have had a great experience overall and appreciate working with the Playground team. Switched from [Procare Solutions](https://www.capterra.com/p/23486/Procare-Child-Care-Management/) More cost effective and liked the Playground platform more. Review Source Response from Playground September 2, 2025 Thank you for your thoughtful review! We’re so glad to hear you’ve had a great experience with our team. It’s also wonderful to hear that you’ve appreciated our quick responses, ongoing improvements, and overall support throughout the years. We’re excited to keep working with you and look forward to supporting your continued success with Playground! VC Vanessa C. Director Child Day Care Services Used the software for: Less than 6 months ### "Extremely happy with my switch to Playground!" February 19, 2026 5.0 My overall experience has been extremely wonderful! Everyone had been super helpful. They literally took me by the hand and assisted me with everything! Pros What I love the most about Playground is the enrollment component. It is a wonderful tool for a new and growing childcare center! Cons I do not like the activity listing part of the platform, however, I am sure there are tons of improvements underway to make the system so much better. Switched from [Tuition Express](https://www.capterra.com/p/177236/Tuition-Express/)[Gusto](https://www.capterra.com/p/131882/Gusto/)[Procare Solutions](https://www.capterra.com/p/23486/Procare-Child-Care-Management/) Wanted to have everything in house in one system. I was also looking for a platform to make enrollment easier for admin as well as families. Review Source Response from Playground February 24, 2026 So happy to hear the enrollment tools are making such a difference for your growing center! That’s exactly where we want to create leverage for new programs like yours. It means a lot that your experience has felt so supportive. We know how much goes into launching and growing a center, and we’re glad our team could walk alongside you and make it feel manageable. We’re excited to keep building with you as you grow. VR Verified Reviewer Owner Child Day Care Services Used the software for: 1-2 years ### "Fantastic support and responsive team" July 9, 2025 5.0 Playground has been a joy to work with, saving my team hours every week both for administrators and teachers. So worth it, we are loving the product! Pros Fantastic support as humans answer within seconds, and they are very quick to implement feedback. We have been using their main app for a while, but lately their CRM feature has been a gamechanger for us, saving hours every week. Cons Nothing. Whenever I have a request, if it is small, they add it very quickly. We are a small center so it is refreshing to feel so connected to the team! Switched from [Procare Solutions](https://www.capterra.com/p/23486/Procare-Child-Care-Management/) I made the switch because we were referred from another center. Review Source Response from Playground July 18, 2025 Thank you for such a thoughtful review! We’re so glad to hear that Playground has been a time-saver for both your admin team and teachers. It’s great to know our support team has made a strong impression and that the CRM feature has been a game changer for your center. We love hearing how connected you feel to our team—it’s exactly the kind of relationship we aim to build. We’re grateful to have you with us and excited to keep supporting your success! KC Kayla C. Daycare Provider Education Management Used the software for: Less than 6 months ### "Make the switch! It’s worth every penny!" February 9, 2026 5.0 So far I think it will be a great addition to my business - keeping things organized and at my fingertips at all times. Pros I’m new but I love the options it provides from communication to enrollment. Also the link to attendance will make life much easier. Cons Nothing I have found yet per-se. Jusdt making a transition from another program and working out the kinks. Switched from [brightwheel](https://www.capterra.com/p/144060/brightwheel/) To try the additional services that make them different. Review Source Response from Playground February 16, 2026 So glad to hear the transition is off to a strong start. It’s great that communication, enrollment, and attendance are already making things easier. Excited for you to keep discovering more as you get fully settled in. If you need any help, our friendly team is always happy to assist! 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! SF Shayln F. Child care provider Child Day Care Services Used the software for: Less than 6 months ### "Happy customer" December 3, 2025 5.0 I really like this app for all the paperwork ' signing kids in and out and to be able to communicate to parents as well Pros I love how organized this app is and if i need help there is always an agent to ask questions to! Great business app Cons I am not a huge fan off the billing process as is take 2-3 days to go into my account as venmo takes only a day. Review Source Response from Playground January 19, 2026 Thank you for the great feedback! We’re so glad you find Playground well-organized and helpful for managing paperwork, sign-in/out, and parent communication—and that our support team has been there when you need them. Regarding payouts: for most users, funds are deposited into their bank accounts same-day or by the next business day at the latest. If you’re experiencing delays longer than that, definitely reach out to our team—we’re happy to take a closer look. We appreciate your feedback and are always here to help you get the most out of Playground! ME Michele E. owner director Child Day Care Services Used the software for: Less than 6 months ### "i give it a 4.5" February 2, 2026 4.0 I myself as the owner/ director like the fact that once staff are clocked out, they are not able to get into the app at all. Pros We just recently started using Playground about a month ago and really enjoy the app with everything there is to offer for parent/ staff communication and staff communication and all the benefits using it. Cons I wish that the app could add in the amount of PTO that the staff earn as the hours accrue. also, the fact that the staff don't get that info put into their check stubs Switched from [Wonderschool](https://www.capterra.com/p/207558/Wonderschool/) i liked all the things playground has to offer Review Source Response from Playground February 5, 2026 So glad you’re enjoying Playground so far! We appreciate the feedback on PTO tracking, we'll have some updates here coming soon. If there's anything else we can do to help, please don't hesitate to reach out! Similar Products Featured ## Related categories [Daycare](https://www.capterra.com/child-care-software/)