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Pricing Breakdowns

What childcare software actually costs — tiers, hidden fees, and the fine print.

Sandbox Childcare Software Pricing in 2026: What It Costs and What's Missing

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Sandbox childcare software pricing is not publicly listed. What do licensed centers actually pay, and what compliance features are missing at every tier?

Updated Mar 21, 2026 Sandbox

Tadpoles Pricing in 2026: What the Free Plan Covers and What It Doesn't

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Tadpoles starts free for daily reports and parent communication. What does the premium plan cost, and what's missing at every tier for licensed childcare centers?

Updated Mar 21, 2026 Tadpoles

Brightwheel Pricing in 2026: Full Cost Breakdown

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What does Brightwheel actually cost? We break down per-enrollment pricing, payment processing fees, and why the monthly bill often surprises directors.

Updated Mar 20, 2026 Brightwheel

Playground Childcare Software Pricing in 2026: Full Cost Breakdown

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What does Playground actually cost? We break down the per-student model, what's included at base, and where the feature gaps show up for licensed programs.

Updated Mar 20, 2026 Playground

Kangarootime Pricing in 2026: Full Cost Breakdown

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What does Kangarootime actually cost? We break down the per-class starting price, the 90-day trial, and what directors should ask before signing an enterprise contract.

Updated Mar 20, 2026 Kangarootime

Lillio Pricing in 2026: What US Childcare Directors Actually Pay

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Lillio (formerly HiMama) does not publish US pricing. We break down what's publicly known about their tier structure, what's missing for US compliance, and how it compares to PebbleDesk's $29/$49 transparent pricing.

Updated Mar 20, 2026 Lillio

Procare Pricing in 2026: Full Cost Breakdown

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What does Procare actually cost? We break down the base plan, parent communication add-on, and the implementation fees that show up after the demo.

Updated Mar 20, 2026 Procare
Why is childcare software pricing so hard to compare?
Brightwheel uses per-child pricing that scales with enrollment, making the monthly cost unpredictable as census fluctuates. Procare sells desktop software with annual license fees plus add-ons. These pricing breakdowns surface the actual all-in cost for a center at your enrollment level and flag where compliance features require upgrading to a higher tier.
What hidden costs show up in childcare management software pricing?
Common extras: per-child fees that scale with enrollment rather than staying flat, payment processing fees layered on parent billing, compliance report exports gated to premium tiers, CACFP meal tracking sold as a separate module, and setup fees for data migration from an existing system.
How does PebbleDesk's pricing compare to Brightwheel for a 40-child center?
Brightwheel's per-child pricing at market rates typically runs $4–$6 per child per month, putting a 40-child center at $160–$240/month. PebbleDesk's Professional plan covers centers up to standard enrollment bands at a flat rate, without per-child fees that fluctuate with your census.

Tired of surprise fees?

PebbleDesk starts at $29/month. No setup fees, no annual contract.