ChildWare review
A broad program-management system for Pennsylvania centers handling subsidy and staffing records.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
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.
ChildWare pros and cons
- 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
ChildWare fact sheet, pricing and score →
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