When discussing the best preschool software it is important to first understand how digital management systems have been an essential component of early learning services, and how they help centres save time on administration, improve accuracy and meet compliance obligations.
However, kindergartens and preschools operate quite differently from long day care services. They handle sessional enrolments, rely on government funding schemes and are usually operated by councils or community committees. This means that they require specific software that fits their model, not one created primarily for childcare centres.
This article discusses the best preschool management software in Australia in 2026, and particularly those that support the needs of community and sessional preschools.
Why preschools need specialised software
Most childcare software is able to handle enrolments, billing, and attendance, but preschools have a different set of challenges.
Sessional models, for example, will need the ability to handle start and end dates, part-time schedules, and government funding programs like Start Strong (NSW) and KIMS (VIC). The governance structures of many of these services are committee-based and require transparency and easy access to enrolment data.
General childcare systems can feel complicated, offering payroll, rostering, and daily educator journals when they are not needed. The most effective preschool applications are the ones prioritising the essentials: enrolment, compliance, communication, and reporting.
Market analysis: Best preschool software systems in Australia.
A review of large platforms including OWNA, Kidsoft, Xap and Child Care Central reveals that most of the systems in use in Australia today were originally developed in the context of long day care centres. These platforms are very robust and can integrate billing, CCS management, and educator programming tools into a single system. However, they might also add unneeded complexity to sessional preschools and community kindergartens that run on a fixed-term enrolment and government funding models.
In contrast, EnrolNow One has been designed specifically to suit preschools and kindergartens. It is designed with its focus on transparent enrolment processes, communication with parents and automated adherence to Department of Education reporting.
This specialisation makes EnrolNow One particularly well suited to councils, committees and early learning groups that have sessional or part-time programs. It allows sharing of data accurately, saving administrative time as well as keeping services up to date with changing government requirements in both NSW and Victoria.
Key findings
Although the majority of childcare management systems provide excellent tools for running of the long day care, it is not always suitable in the running of community/sessional preschool. These services differ in terms of their priorities, which are less concerned with daily educator documentation and more with streamlined enrolment, compliance, and communication.
EnrolNow One is unique in that it is currently the only system that has live API connections with the NSW and VIC Departments of Education, so data reporting and funding are as efficient and accurate as they can be.
With the ongoing development of preschool funding programs across the country, purpose-built programs such as the EnrolNow One will become more and more important in assisting services to modernize while retaiing the unique governance and community-focused nature that defines the sector.
What to keep in mind when choosing preschool software.
State funding compatibility: Does it fit directly with your Department of Education system?
- Sessional structure support: Can it handle terms, days or flexible enrolments?
- Ease of use: Will it be easy to use by the administrative personnel or committees?
- Parent experience: To what extent do families find it easy to apply online, accept or join waitlists?
- Local support: Does it have Australian-based fast customer support?
The outlook for 2026 and beyond
As the preschool industry in Australia continues to modernise, the trend is towards automated compliance and data sharing. NSW and VIC are leading in this change and there are more states that are likely to follow.
Childcare software specifically designed to meet the needs of preschools, as opposed to repurposed childcare systems, will become increasingly common. With an already established direct integration with state systems and a focus on enrolments and compliance, EnrolNow One is well-positioned to continue to be a leader in this area.
