No. 1 of 32 ·Daycare Management Software

cradleOS

Web · Mac · Android · iPhone

Freedom report

Three barsScore 6.6

Free tierA free tier is on its own pricing page
Open codeNo open-source code on record
Runs widely4 of 6 device platforms
DocumentedPlans, terms and facts published

cradleOS is ranked #1 of 32 in daycare management software on Freedom251. It runs on Android, iOS, macOS, Web. There is a free plan.

cradleOS plans and pricing

All plans

Free Free For home daycares and small centers getting started · Email support · Digital check-in/out, records, messaging, invoicing, enrollment, reports, compliance, scheduling, photo sharing, CACFP meal tracking cradleos.com · 3 Oct 2026

Pro Not published Everything in Free · Unlimited children & classrooms · Kiosk video recording · Priority support cradleos.com · 3 Oct 2026

Enterprise Not published Everything in Pro · Multi-site management · Custom reporting · Advanced role-based permissions · API access & integrations · Dedicated onboarding · SLA & uptime guarantee · Custom branding cradleos.com · 3 Oct 2026

Compared on daycare management software

Free plan: Yes
Billing model: custom
Attendance methods: kiosk, web app, mobile device, QR code
Family communication: Yes
Staff scheduling: Yes
Parent mobile app: Yes
Meal/allergy tracking: Yes

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The record

Product: cradleOS describes itself as an all-in-one childcare workspace for attendance, billing, staff management, and parent communication.
Attendance: It offers digital check-in/out, live headcounts, ratio tracking, and automated classroom time logs.
Billing: It can generate invoices from attendance, accept online payments via Stripe, and track balances with late-fee automation.
Enrollment: Its enrollment pipeline tracks leads, schedules tours, and manages waitlists with built-in CRM tools.
Parent engagement: The product supports two-way messaging, daily reports, photo sharing, and center-wide announcements.
Compliance: Listed compliance tools include licensing checklists, immunization records, incident logs, and audit-ready reporting.
Staff tools: Staff features include shift scheduling, time tracking, certification management, and ratio-compliance monitoring.
Integrations: The page names Stripe for online payments and says API access and integrations are included with Enterprise.
Security: The site says data is encrypted in transit and at rest, sensitive medical and health information gets additional application-level encryption, center data is isolated, and infrastructure is hosted in the United States.
Support: Email and chat support are included on every plan; Free lists email support, while Pro lists priority support.
Setup: The FAQ says most centers are up and running in a day after importing their roster and configuring classrooms.
Who it serves: The site describes Free as intended for home daycares and small centers, and Enterprise for multi-site operators with advanced reporting and compliance needs.
Desktop app: A native macOS app is offered for directors who want a dedicated workspace.
Price from: Free

Where it ranks on Freedom251

Best Daycare Management Software in 2026#1 of 32

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Sources

cradleos.com/en/· checked 3 Oct 2026