Do you recommend daycare softwares?

Need to know from all of you in the daycare business, I am starting my application for a family daycare in my home, I've seen alot of softwares that provide much information, do you recommend them? Thanks so much for your imput.

We have 2 large facilities with a capacity of 145 between the 2 of them and software is a must for us, I downloaded about 10 different trial versions and finally chose Procare software by Professional solutions http://www.procaresoftware.com/landi...n_land05.shtml.
Depending on what modules you need it will automatically bill, Keep track of clock ins and outs, Immunizations, emergency contacts, Food program, it will do whatever you need it to and In my experience it is the best. General ledger ect.

For a home based center with only a few children I don't think it is needed.
If you insist, Procare makes a mini version and also you can pick and choose what modules you need.
Download the trial version and give it a whirl.

[tymaboy]

I am an in home provider. I own a Mac & have decided to go with Macfreelance. It keeps track of hours,invoices & is great for year end taxes. I am able to customize it for my business. I also just purchased IWorks which helps do the forms that are needed & I am able to make pretty much anything I want to. Flyers, brochures, poster, professional letters & weekly news letter & many more. I would recommend getting some kind of software to help with all these aspects of the business.

[Phil_EH]

If you have any questions about ProCare Software I'd be happy to help. I've worked with many child care and daycare centers helping them over the years with ProCare. I do happen to work there so that gives you a great insider source of information!

[mibelle]

Procare is the best by far!

[Phil_EH]

mibelle thanks for your positive feedback about ProCare. Are you using it at your center now? What do you like best about it?

-Phil

I use www.MinuteMenu.com it has everything you need, I believe and its only about $70.00 per year with regular upgrades. They also have online bill pay to help reduce trips to the bank.

I also used Procare Software, it's definitely one of the better tools on the market. But it always depends on you needs and preferences. You have to check out what you want to do with the software before you buy one. If you only want to keep track of basic things (time management, data storage, ...) you could go with a freeware because the professional software is quite expensive.

[tinytadpoles]

Originally Posted by bshla

I use www.MinuteMenu.com it has everything you need, I believe and its only about $70.00 per year with regular upgrades. They also have online bill pay to help reduce trips to the bank.

I absolutely love this software. I use it in my daycare and once you pay the initial amount it is half of that to renew it every year. It tracks EVERYTHING and the tax people just absolutely love the printouts it prints they said it makes things so easy for them. But the key is keeping it up to date.