Scaling Use of Child Care Management Software (CCMS):
A Toolkit for Policymakers and Industry Leaders
Efforts to modernize tools in Early Care and Education (ECE) have been ongoing for years, with many lessons learned throughout this time. This toolkit supports public and private sector entities in expanding access to and use of CCMS in ECE. It includes resources based on current best practices and will be updated as OppEx gains new insights.
Overview
Child Care Management Software (CCMS) is specifically designed to help child care providers automate their day-to-day operations so that staff have more time to spend with children and can monitor and manage their program proactively. A variety of CCMS are available as off-the-shelf Software as a Service products, with brand names like Alliance CORE, brightwheel, Lilio, Playground, Procare, Wonderschool, and so forth.
In addition to enabling efficient management of a child care program, a comprehensive CCMS can also track, report and maintain most data and documents required by public and private entities that fund and regulate the sector.
Individual briefs and docs are downloadable below
CCMS Resources
What is CCMS?
Value Proposition for ECE Technology
CCMS VALUE PROPOSITION FOR
PROVIDERS AND COACHES
Child Care Management Software & Cash Flow
Child Care Management Software & Child Learning & Development
Child Care Management Software & Licensing Compliance
Child Care Management Software & Attendance & Meal Tracking
Child Care Management Software & Financial Recordkeeping
Child Care Management Software & Human Resources
Child Care Management Software & Marketing
Child Care Management Software & Parent Engagement
Child Care Management Software & the Board of Directors
CCMS Value Proposition
(Entire Series of Briefs listed above)
USING CCMS TO GUIDE BUSINESS COACHING
CCMS Data Dashboards for Business Coaches
Using CCMS to support state administration and oversight
Worried about Implementing new CCDF rules? Modern Technology Can Help
Scaling Strong, Effective ECE Programs in the 21st Century
ECE Ecosystem—Future State (Graphic)
Getting Started
Understanding the ECE Technology Landscape
Sample Center Survey from Iowa
Selecting CCMS
CCMS Selection Tool for Child Care Centers
CCMS Selection Tool for Home Based Child Care Providers
Excel for both Child Care Centers and Home Based Child Care Providers
(Excel Download)
States Engaged in Expanding Provider Access to CCMS
DEMYSTIFYING PROCUREMENT
Procurement Pathways Demystified
Scaling CCMS?
OUTREACH AND MESSAGING
CCMS Outreach: Roles & Responsibilities
LINKED BUSINESS COACHING
CCMS Business Coaching Issue Brief
TRACKING UPTAKE AND USE
Data Dashboards
Iron Triangle Dashboard and Metrics—goal ranges
System Reform: Linking Policy and Finance to CCMS
Sample Licensing / CCMS Crosswalk (Excel Download)
LINK WITH LICENSING
North Carolina Example of Licensing Approval for Enrollment Forms
Sample QRIS/CCMS Crosswalk and General Recommendations for Consideration
(Excel Download)
LINK WITH QRIS
Sample QRIS/CCMS Crosswalk and General Recommendations for Consideration
(Excel Download)
LINK WITH CACFP
“The framework for an ECE Technology Ecosystem has been so helpful for our state, giving us a pathway to begin to gather the real-time data we need to inform key decisions, and bolster system-building both within and across state agencies.”
—Lela Wendell, Assistant Director, Division of Child Care, State of Arizona