Who can apply?
Operating childcare centers and home daycare providers in the US that are ready to start using Caredence within 30 days.
Founding Center Program
Free Daycare Software for Founding Centers
Caredence is free childcare management software for an initial group of approved founding centers and home daycare providers.
- Application-based — applying does not guarantee acceptance
- Limited to an initial group of 10 approved providers
- Free for 24 months from account activation
- All available features included, no credit card required
Why it's free
Caredence is recruiting active childcare providers to help shape the product through real use and honest feedback. In return for that feedback, approved founding centers use every available feature free for 24 months.
This is an initial group. Future enrollment may expand, but it is not guaranteed.
What participation involves
- A brief onboarding session, a 30-day feedback check-in, and brief quarterly feedback requests.
- Honest feedback is welcome, including what doesn't work.
- Testimonials and public case studies are optional and need your separate permission.
What's included
Every available feature, at $0, on web and in the free daycare app
Attendance & check-in
- Digital check-in & check-out
- Digital classroom rosters
- Attendance history
- Staff-to-child ratio tracking
Billing & payments
- Recurring tuition invoices
- Online card payments
- Autopay
- Automatic and manual payment reminders
- Payment history & balances
- Invoice PDFs
- Payment receipts
- Year-end tax statements
- Your center's own Stripe account
Parent communication
- Daily reports
- Photo sharing
- Direct messaging & announcements
- App Store & Google Play apps
Staff & operations
- Staff directory
- Roles & permissions
- Classroom assignments
Owner dashboard & reporting
- Enrollment & revenue dashboard
- Attendance & financial reporting
- Multiple centers & locations
Security & access control
- Role-based access
- Encrypted data
- Protected sign-in
After 24 months
Standard pricing applies, with at least 60 days' written notice. Current standard pricing is $59/month Starter (up to 15 children), $129/month Center (up to 60 children), and custom pricing for multi-site operators. Prices may change before then, and there is no free-forever plan or promised renewal discount. See the pricing page.
Fees
Stripe's standard payment-processing fees still apply to card payments. Caredence adds no processing fee.
Who it's for
Operating childcare centers, preschools, and home daycares ready to start within 30 days.
Staff and parents can use Caredence in a browser or in the free app on the Apple App Store and Google Play.
How to apply
- Submit a short application about your center. No credit card and no child or family information.
- We review each application. Applying does not guarantee acceptance.
- If approved, we email you to arrange a brief onboarding session and activate your center account.
- After activation, add your classrooms, children, families, and staff, then begin using attendance, billing, or parent communication. Your 24 months of free access start at account activation.
FAQ
Questions about the Founding Center Program
Does applying guarantee acceptance?
No. Applications are reviewed and the initial group is limited to 10 approved providers. Applying does not guarantee acceptance.
How do I get access and start using Caredence?
Submit a short application about your center. No credit card and no child or family information. We review each application. Applying does not guarantee acceptance. If approved, we email you to arrange a brief onboarding session and activate your center account. After activation, add your classrooms, children, families, and staff, then begin using attendance, billing, or parent communication. Your 24 months of free access start at account activation. We do not promise a review or setup timeline.
How long is access free?
Approved founding centers get all available features free for 24 months from the day your center account is activated. No credit card is required.
What feedback is expected?
Founding centers agree to a brief onboarding session, a 30-day feedback check-in, and brief quarterly feedback requests. Honest feedback, including criticism, is welcome.
Is a testimonial required?
No. Testimonials and public case studies are optional and are only used with your separate permission.
Are there payment-processing fees?
Stripe's standard payment-processing fees still apply to card payments. Caredence adds no processing fee.
What happens after 24 months?
Standard pricing applies, with at least 60 days' written notice. Current standard pricing is $59/month Starter (up to 15 children), $129/month Center (up to 60 children), and custom pricing for multi-site operators. Prices may change before then. There is no free-forever plan or promised renewal discount.
What happens when the initial group is full?
New applicants can join the waitlist. This is an initial group and future enrollment may expand, but openings are not guaranteed, and no free-access period starts while you are on the waitlist.
Apply to become a founding center
All available features free for 24 months. No credit card required.