Connect Childcare is nursery management software for early years providers handling administration, attendance, finance, child development, parent engagement, and daily operations. It includes enrolment, check-in, billing, payments, and lesson planning. iConnect records observations with photos, videos, notes, assessments, learning journals, and parent observations, while safeguarding tools cover medication, accidents, emergency contacts, digital registers, and permission settings. Connect Cashflow supports card payments, Apple Pay, Google Pay, Direct Debit, instant bank transfers, and HMRC Tax-Free Childcare through one checkout and ledger in ParentZone. ParentZone gives families updates, learning journals, payments, communication, and bookings. The software runs on Windows, Mac through Parallels, web browsers, Android, and iOS. Plans start at £50/mo, exclude VAT, and use fixed-term contracts. Setup is free; optional add-ons include Cashflow, SMS, and postcode lookups.
Who it is for
It suits independent nurseries, preschools, and multi-site nursery groups needing administration, child records, payments, and parent communication. Parents use the ParentZone app for updates and transactions.
What is good
- Covers administration and attendance
- Detailed child development records
- Multiple payment methods
- Android and iOS parent app
- 24/7 online help
What to know first
- No free plan
- No free trial
- Plans exclude VAT
- Fixed-term contracts
Verdict
Connect Childcare covers nursery operations, safeguarding, development records, payments, and family communication across desktop, web, and mobile access. Its fixed-term, VAT-exclusive plans should be considered alongside optional add-ons.
Connect Childcare plans and pricing
All plansCompared on early childhood education software
- Free plan
- No
- Enrollment management
- Yes
- Family communication
- Yes
- Attendance and check-in
- Yes
- Billing and payments
- Yes
- Lesson planning
- Yes
- Mobile apps
- both
