Data from a Reader’s Survey from ChildCareExchange.com showed that technology use continues to increase among childcare providers and business. Childcare providers use technology for accounting, information storage and management, security, business analytics and regulatory compliance.

The term “cloud-based” software is ubiquitous these days, but it may not be clear what that means. The term is used interchangeably with SaaS (Software as a Service) and “web-based” software, which is a bit more self-explanatory.

You loved caring for children, so you built a business around it. But it isn't enough to just love caring for kids; you are running a business that requires care, too, so it can grow to provide services to more parents and their families.

The owner of a childcare management facility wears many hats, just like any other small business owner. The accountant hat may be one of the most time-consuming and least liked of them all. However, using a software solution that combines all the required applications for invoicing and billing, accounts receivable, accounts payable, payroll, and general ledger can streamline your bookkeeping process while reducing errors.

Childcare management software is probably the best thing since sliced bread for running any childcare business. Just think what sliced bread did to speed up PB&J sandwich production. On top of spending time with the kids, their parents, and your staff, there are numerous other tasks to manage -- from activity enrollment and scheduling to newsletters and communication with parents.

If you are in the market for a new childcare management solution, you have plenty of options available. There is software for almost any business size, some with seemingly endless bells and whistles (also known as features), and others that look extremely simple to operate. You can choose from cloud-based solutions or installed (on-premise) software.

Whether you operate a daycare center, an after school program, or any other type of childcare service, there's a solution for you.

Deciding to purchase and implement a childcare management system should be approached as a multi-step process. It requires planning and consideration before you approach vendors about their solutions as well as planning for the transition to the new system and continuing support.

The following tips are a tried and true method of selecting, installing, training, and implementation of a new childcare management software system.

Where is the best place for your software solution to reside: on your computer or in the cloud? Both methods of deployment have positives and negatives as well as some unique features or benefits not available in the other.

Let’s take a look at the differences, pros, and cons of on-premise (installed) software and cloud-based childcare software solutions.

Childcare businesses are always trying to find ways to be more productive at a lower cost. Computers and software have played a key role in increasing productivity in many businesses, but cost continued to be a factor, especially for small business.