ChildWare
ChildWare: A broad program-management system for Pennsylvania centers handling subsidy and staffing records. Ranked #61 of 86 in Early Childhood Education Software by our editors (3.0/10); pricing: Paid; best for pennsylvania centers managing subsidy and staffing records.
At a glance
- Editor score3.0 / 10
- PricingPaid
- Best forPennsylvania centers managing subsidy and staffing records
- Free planNo
- Family communicationYes
- Founded2010 · Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Facts checked24 Sep 2026
Where it wins
- Combines enrollment, attendance, tuition and subsidy billing, and financial reporting
- Tracks staff credentials, training, clearances, scheduling, and health assessments
- Includes Pennsylvania DHS, Keystone STARS, CACFP, and ratio-management tools
Where it doesn't
- Access is web-only, with no mobile apps listed
- The published licensing structure is tied to agency enrollment
- Feature breadth may exceed the needs of programs seeking only a focused tool
Our verdict on ChildWare
ChildWare is a cloud-based management system for early childhood education programs, developed and managed by Public Health Management Corporation (PHMC). It brings together child and family records, recruitment and enrollment, attendance, billing, staff records, and meal rosters. Its strongest fit is Pennsylvania centers that need to track state requirements alongside day-to-day operations, including subsidy-program records, DHS requirements, and Keystone STARS. Small and mid-market programs are listed as company-size fits; centers outside Pennsylvania may find less value in the state-specific features.
The product covers several operational workflows in one system. Family records can include contacts, health and special-needs information, and documents; attendance includes parent and staff sign-in/out and a kiosk. Billing supports subsidy and tuition charges, batch charges and payments, and financial reporting. Staff tools include credentials, certifications, training, clearances, schedules, and health assessments. Meal rosters, CACFP reporting, ratio management, and subsidy absence tracking extend the system into compliance-related administration. Buyers looking primarily for a single narrow function may prefer a more focused tool rather than adopting this broader set of records and workflows.
ChildWare is available through the web and is described as cloud-based. Support channels include email, phone, and online documentation, troubleshooting, guides, and training resources. The named plans are ChildWare, with a monthly licensing fee tiered by agency enrollment, and ChildWare PLUS, which adds a monthly fee for PLUS features. The published rate schedule is explicitly effective July 1, 2015, so it should not be treated as a current quote. PHMC also says ChildWare 2.0 is provided at no charge to PHLpreK programs under contract. Choose ChildWare if Pennsylvania tracking and combined billing, attendance, and staffing records matter; consider alternatives if mobile access or integrations are central requirements.
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ChildWare pricing
All 2 ChildWare plans and prices →
ChildWare fact sheet
| Free plan | No |
|---|---|
| Paid from | Not verified |
| Enrollment management | Yes |
| Family communication | Yes |
| Attendance and check-in | Yes |
| Billing and payments | Yes |
| Lesson planning | Not verified |
| Mobile apps | None |
| Child capacity | 16 children |
| Deployment | Cloud |
| Platforms | Web |
| Support | Email, Phone, Docs |
| Built for | Small business, Mid-market (editorial estimate) |
| Pricing | Paid (source) |
| Website | childware.org |
| Facts checked | 24 Sep 2026 |
Alternatives to ChildWare
- ProcareA mature all-in-one system for established centers managing operations, learning, and billing.8.9
- BrightwheelA broad web and mobile platform for managing multi-site early education operations.8.8
- ParentA connected childcare platform for enrollment, family workflows, staffing, and reporting.8.7
See all ChildWare alternatives →
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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
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