Open Discussion Forum

  • 1.  Program software- pro-care or bright wheel?

    Posted 11-30-2021 02:57 PM
    Hello,

    I'm looking into Pro-care and Bright Wheel as options for program software.  We do not need the accounting/billing piece at all.  Any feedback on either one? 

    Also any other suggestions? We mainly are wanting: enrollment data, newsletters, lesson plans, daily notes, email alerts, wait lists, check in- and out done on-line, and child portfolio piece.  

    Thank you,

    Heather Sarria
    KASP
    Boise, ID 


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    Heather Sarria
    KASP
    Boise ID
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  • 2.  RE: Program software- pro-care or bright wheel?

    Posted 12-02-2021 12:13 PM
    I use Brightwheel and some functions I love and some areas are lacking! The parent/teacher communication is great. Teachers are able to use the DRDP Assessment tool and post pictures and videos for families. The billing is good, the reporting is not as good as I had it with Childcare Manager. The software team is responsive and has added a number of features that I requested.

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    Carol Carter
    Director
    Joyful Beginnings Preschool
    Lafayette, CA
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  • 3.  RE: Program software- pro-care or bright wheel?

    Posted 12-03-2021 07:07 AM
    When I was the Director of a Center in Washington, DC, managed by Bright Horizons, I used Procare. I found what was most important was to establish a relationship with the Procare staff who provided support in the implementation of this management system. I asked a lot of questions and was always willing to offer improvements to the system to make it easier for me to lead a high-quality program. I found the staff at Procare was always receptive to my suggestions.

    As I have reflected on my success in my role as a Director, I realized knowing my "why" I wanted to maximize the potential of Procare and then develop a plan for how to accomplish goals to make sure the Center was profitable and met the needs of the children, families, staff and my employer. As my questions were answered, I sharpened my ability to know what I needed from the use of a management system. 

    I suggest to Directors we work with now to first identify why a management system is needed and what do we believe is required to operate a profitable, high-quality ECE program. Then we start to shop around to find the best system that meets the requirements to reach our SMART goals.

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    Robert Gundling, Ed.D.
    Better Futures LLC
    Senior Consultant
    Washington, DC
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  • 4.  RE: Program software- pro-care or bright wheel?

    Posted 12-04-2021 08:24 AM
    As an Classroom Preschool Teacher I have used both. I find ProCare to be a much better app. I like the edit features, delete features and variety of templates for things like activities, meals, naps, learning, notes etc. Brightwheel was very limited in this area and not always easy to edit if typos were sent by mistake.
    Procare allows you as a teacher to move children from classrooms if they are moved for ratio reasons or end and beginning of the day transitions. This allows for accurate tracking of children and parents know which room their child always in.
    ProCare is definitely my recommended app.

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    Helen Meissner
    Lead Teacher
    Stepping Stones ELC
    Minneapolis MN
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