Does LearnDash have an API?

Yes, LearnDash has a REST API that developers can use. LearnDash offers full documentation for the API on a subsite called LearnDash Developers. This documentation includes information about using the API for retrieving course information and managing users, quizzes, course progress, and assignments. The API allows for custom flexibility.

Is there a free version of LearnDash?

LearnDash does not have a free version of the plugin but offers a limited demo. Pricing for LearnDash starts at $199 per year for a single-site subscription, which includes access to all core features. LearnDash also offers a subscription called StellarSites Learning, which starts at $29 per month (billed annually). This plan allows a user to launch a hosted course website on WordPress.

What does Playground do?

Playground streamlines operations and communications for childcare centers. Features include enrollment, daily check-ins, attendance tracking, billing, parent messaging, expense tracking, and payroll. The software consolidates these tasks onto a single platform, reducing the administrative burden while keeping parents connected.

Playground is popular among small to midsize childcare operators, with most reviewers coming from businesses with fewer than 50 employees. The platform serves preschools, in-home providers, after-school programs, daycares, and early learning centers.

How much is Playground?

Playground does not list its pricing publicly; a sales rep can provide you with a custom quote based on your center's size and needs. The platform offers a free trial or demo for those interested in learning more. Although pricing is not disclosed, verified reviewers give the software 4.7 out of 5 stars for value for money, indicating they are pleased with the cost.

How does Playground work?

Playground works by centralizing key childcare operations on a single platform. New users enter their school, staff, and student information, all of which will be available on the admin dashboard, along with tabs for billing, paperwork, chat, reporting, and more. All staff members and parents of your students should download the Playground app to fully leverage the billing, attendance, communication, and other features.

Updated June 12, 2025 at 8:36 AM

Playground 2026: Benefits, Features & Pricing

Written by Marcela Gava

Senior Content Analyst

Edited by Mehar Luthra

Team Lead, Content

Software Advice offers objective insights based on verified user reviews and independent product and market research. When our advisors match you to a software provider, we may earn a referral fee.

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On this page

Our Summary
Pricing and Plans
Features
Integrations
Key Sentiments
User Reviews
Frequently Asked Questions

Our Summary

Playground

4.8

(186)

FrontRunner 2026

Pros:

Customer service
Ease of use

Cons:

Billing and payment processing
System glitches

Pricing

Pricing available upon request

What is Playground:

Playground is an all-in-one, cloud-based platform designed to optimize and streamline daily operations for childcare service providers. It includes tools for attendance tracking, registration and paperwork, payroll, and billing. The platform also enables communication between childcare staff and parents.

Why we like Playground:

With a strong rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars from verified user reviews (including a 4.9 for customer support), Playground earned the “best rated” designation in our list of the best daycare software. Users highlight the parent portal as the platform’s top feature, followed by attendance tracking and communications management.

Who should use Playground:

Playground’s customers include in-home service providers, childcare centers, after-school programs, and multisite enterprise daycare brands. It is popular among small businesses, with more than 70% of verified reviewers coming from businesses with 2-50 employees.

Playground Screenshots

Playground Overview

Playground is a childcare management platform that helps daycare centers, preschools and in-home providers streamline operations and tasks such as billing, registration, communication, attendance tracking and payroll.

Playground's intuitive design allows childcare programs to manage daily activities effortlessly. The billing module offers flexible payment plans and tracks tuition, fees and subsidies. The enrollment feature simplifies onboarding with online registration. Attendance tracking enables seamless sign-in/sign-out.

Playground enhances staff and family engagement...

Playground Pricing and Plans

Starting price: Pricing available upon request

Free Trial

Free Version

Pricing available upon request

No plan information available

Playground Features

Drawn from insights across 186 verified reviews, we've outlined Playground's best and worst rated features and how they stack up against the average rating.

Playground's score

Category average

Playground's Best Rated Features

Contact Database

5.0

4.10 category average

Attendance Tracking

4.82

4.34 category average

Check-in/Check-out

4.77

4.50 category average

Playground's Worst Rated Features

Document Management

4.27

3.49 category average

Student Information/Records

4.38

4.55 category average

Task Management

4.47

3.63 category average

Popular features found in Daycare
Alerts/Notifications
Billing & Invoicing
Daily Reports
Employee Management
Immunization & Allergy Tracking
Meal/Nutrition Management
Parent Portal
Payment Processing
More features of Playground
Activity Dashboard
Activity Tracking
AI Copilot
API
Attendance Tracking
Calendar Management
Certification Tracking
Check-in/Check-out
Class Scheduling
Communications Management
Contact Database
Customer Accounts
Data Security
Document Management
Electronic Signature
Enrollments/Onboarding
Generative AI
Incident Management
Lesson Planning
Milestone Tracking
Mobile Access
Multi-Language
Multi-Location
Records Management
Registration Management
Reporting & Statistics
Resource Scheduling
Role-Based Permissions
Student Information/Records
Task Management
Third-Party Integrations
Wait List Management

Playground Integrations

Based on 186 verified reviews, we've identified products most frequently integrated with Playground.

Stripe

Integration rated 5.0 from 7 reviews

QuickBooks Desktop

Integration rated 5.0 from 2 reviews

QuickBooks Online

Integration rated 5.0 from 1 review

Kisi

Integration rated 5.0 from 1 review

NetSuite

HubSpot CRM

See all 7 integrations

Playground Key Sentiments

We analyzed 186 verified reviews for Playground to find out what actual users really think.

Most Positive Sentiments

Customer service

85% Positive

15% Neutral

0% Negative

Users consistently highlight Playground's customer service for being responsive and helpful, with quick reply times and knowledgeable support staff. They appreciate the company's willingness to improve and adapt based on customer feedback, which enhances their overall experience. The excellent support provided by Playground is highlighted as a key factor in users' satisfaction with the product.

Parent interface

70% Positive

18% Neutral

12% Negative

Reviewers find the parent interface of Playground to be highly user-friendly and appreciate the ease of communication it provides. They value the convenience of having family information readily accessible and the ability to keep parents updated on their children's activities. Parents are particularly satisfied with the app's simplicity and the positive impact it has on their engagement with the childcare provider.

Least Positive Sentiments

Payment and billing

56% Positive

30% Neutral

14% Negative

Playground makes the billing process convenient, according to users, with various payment options, including credit and bank accounts. Reviewers find the ability to track payments online and the recurring invoice feature to be significant time-savers. Additionally, users highlight the streamlined billing features that help them manage finances and reduce administrative workload effectively.

Playground User Reviews

Overall Rating

4.8

Ratings Breakdown

87%

Secondary Ratings

Ease of Use

4.7

Value for money

4.7

Customer support

4.9

Functionality

4.7

Tamar A.

Verified reviewer

Education Management

51-200 employees

Used daily for more than 2 years

Review source

Reviewed April 2023

The BEST app if you want simple, highly efficient and does it ALL!!

We were able to move the money we normally spent on people chasing families for payments, on keeping licensing documents and more, and use that to pay our teachers more money. Playground has made everyone happy.

Ratings Breakdown

Ease of use

Value for money

Customer support

Functionality

Pros:

So easy to use, the support we get is immediate when we have a question and it has all the features we need to run a preschool.

Cons:

There is nothing missing that we can think of

Reasons for choosing Playground

Brightwheel also took too long for tech support to help out and in schools that I mentor, they were all unhappy with Brightwheel.

Reasons for switching to Playground

ProCare would take days to get back to us with tech support and it felt stuffy. School Pass was always going down.

Vendor Response

Thank you for sharing your positive experience with Playground! We're thrilled to hear that you find the app simple, efficient, and comprehensive for running your preschool. It's great to know that the immediate support you receive has been helpful and that all the features you need are available. We're especially happy to hear that Playground has allowed you to reallocate funds toward paying your teachers more, enhancing overall satisfaction. If there's anything else you'd like to share or suggest, we're here to listen and assist!

Replied August 2024

Abdu I.

Verified reviewer

Child Day Care Services

11-50 employees

Used daily for less than 2 years

Reviewed October 2025

A Must for Day Care Owners

Playground is a business necessity. I can't imagine this Day Care running without it. I love that its constantly getting better by adding helpful features.

Ratings Breakdown

Ease of use

Value for money

Customer support

Functionality

Pros:

Child management, parent communication is what I like most about Playground & integrated payments. Parents being able to speak to their child's teacher directly frees up our administrators & phone lines.

Cons:

Billing needs improvement. I'm looking forward to being able to set a recurring billing plan that continues, without having to set an end date.

Reasons for switching to Playground

Playground had features that were unavailable on Brightwheel at the time. Also, Playgrounds customer service is much better do to speed & having an assigned account manager that we can speak to live.

Vendor Response

Thank you for the incredible review! We’re so glad to hear that Playground has become a business necessity for your program. It’s great to know that features like integrated payments, direct parent-teacher messaging, and child management are making such a meaningful difference—especially by freeing up your admins and phone lines. Your experience is exactly the type of impact we strive to deliver. We’re honored to be part of your day-to-day operations and look forward to continuing to grow alongside your program!

Replied October 2025

Pamella M.

Verified reviewer

Child Day Care Services

Self-Employed

Used daily for less than 6 months

Reviewed January 2026

Playground is Superior to Other Programs

After trying 2 other programs this is the only one that I was able to use from day one without having issues.

Ratings Breakdown

Ease of use

Value for money

Customer support

Functionality

Pros:

Playground was very easy to learn. I love the fact I can access from my laptop and phone. It has been super easy to keep up with paperwork and expenses. Everything is easy to navigate to manage my children and parents.

Cons:

So far I have not found anything about Playground that I don't like. If I have a question they have been quick to answer which is a plus.

Reasons for switching to Playground

others were very hard to understand and customer service was subpar

Vendor Response

Thank you for the great review! We’re thrilled to hear that Playground has been easy to learn and that managing paperwork, expenses, and communication from both your laptop and phone has been smooth. That kind of flexibility is exactly what we aim to provide. It’s also great to know our support team has been responsive whenever questions have come up. We’re honored to be part of your day-to-day, and we’re here anytime you need us!

Replied January 2026

Kimberly U.

Verified reviewer

Non-Profit Organization Management

11-50 employees

Used daily for less than 6 months

Reviewed November 2025

First time users of Playground

Our experience has been mostly favorable, our families seem to like the platform and we are getting used to using it. Our onboarding was very comprehensive and we appreciated that as first time users of the program.

Ratings Breakdown

Ease of use

Value for money

Customer support

Functionality

Pros:

Everything is bundled into one place, Playground staff is very helpful. The app is very neat and clean.

Cons:

We are not a typical childcare provider and thus some of our needs are different and that makes use kind of clunky.

Vendor Response

Thank you for the kind words! We’re glad to hear that the all-in-one structure of Playground and the clean, organized interface have made a positive impression on your team and families. It’s especially great to know that the onboarding process was thorough and helpful—exactly what we aim for with first-time users. We’re happy to support you as you continue getting comfortable with the platform, and we’re always here if questions come up or if you’d like help exploring more of Playground’s features. Thanks again for being part of the Playground community!

Replied November 2025

Rossy L.

Verified reviewer

Child Day Care Services

2-10 employees

Used daily for less than 2 years

Reviewed November 2025

Very Happy with the Playground App

Overall, our experience have been good. And when we find something that should be looked at, you guys consider any improvements necessary.

Ratings Breakdown

Ease of use

Value for money

Customer support

Functionality

Pros:

Child and parent management. We love how everything we need to communicate with parents are in one place; massages, pictures, menus, payments etc.

Cons:

As of now, we like everything and hope that pricing doesnt go up like other experience we have had with other platforms

Reasons for choosing Playground

When we met with the Playground team, we like the demonstration they provided

Reasons for switching to Playground

Pricing and Playground had other features we liked and we didnt have before

Vendor Response

Thank you for the great feedback! We’re so glad to hear that Playground has been a helpful all-in-one hub for your parent communication, from messages and photos to menus, payments, and more. It’s exactly the kind of connected, streamlined experience we aim to provide. It’s great to know your experience has been positive overall, and that our team’s openness to feedback has made a difference. Thanks again for being part of the Playground community. We’re here to support you every step of the way!

Replied November 2025

Latasha S.

Verified reviewer

Child Day Care Services

11-50 employees

Used daily for less than 6 months

Reviewed October 2025

Noticeable Improvement Over Our Previous System

Overall, so far, my experience with Playground has been okay. The system functions well and has met most of our needs so far. However, some of the features we were told would be available prior to setup and payment have not been accessible as expected. Because of that, I’d say we like the system at this point, but we’re not quite at the “love it” stage yet.

Ratings Breakdown

Ease of use

Value for money

Customer support

Functionality

Pros:

I really appreciate the flexibility to customize certain categories to better fit our specific needs. The updated chat and messaging features for staff and parents are also a standout, they make communication much smoother and more efficient.

Cons:

Some of the features and reports we were told would be available before signing up are actually not accessible. For example, we aren’t able to customize the food program report with the specific categories we need. Staff messaging also lacks flexibility, there’s no simple way to message an entire class at once or easily select only their assigned students (per the staff, who feel that our previous platform hit the mark with this option). Additionally, there’s no option to require admin approval before staff send messages or responses to parents, which would be an important control for us. At this time these are our top cons.

Reasons for switching to Playground

We decided to switch to Playground from Procare because we were looking for a system with more updated features and improved communication tools. Playground offered better customization options, a more modern interface, and enhanced messaging capabilities for staff and parents, which aligned better with our needs (although some features we previously had, are not available on Playground as initially advised it would be).

Vendor Response

Thank you for the honest and detailed review. We’re glad to hear that you appreciate the flexibility to customize Playground to better fit your center’s needs. We also hear your concerns clearly. We take that feedback seriously and are actively working to improve clarity and alignment during the onboarding process. It’s encouraging that Playground is meeting most of your current needs and that our more modern interface, enhanced messaging tools, and customization options were key reasons for your switch. We hope to earn that “love it” rating from you soon and would welcome the opportunity to reconnect about any missing features you were expecting—we’re here to help however we can.

Replied October 2025

William T.

Verified reviewer

Child Day Care Services

11-50 employees

Used daily for less than 6 months

Reviewed October 2025

Glad we changed to Playground!

The conversion was relatively easy; to save time, I did a lot of it myself. What made this possible was the excellent help/support. They really have a great team!

Ratings Breakdown

Ease of use

Value for money

Customer support

Functionality

Pros:

We switched from BrightWheel, because of the Predictive Enrollment Feature. This allows us to accurately and quickly see what slots we can fill. What a game changer!

Cons:

While Playground's Reports are much better than BrightWheel's, some key reports are missing. For example, there is a report to show expired staff documents (which is a great feature), but not a report to show what will be expiring soon.

Reasons for choosing Playground

They do not have a demo site that you can go to before you purchase, so when you finally get into it. There are a lot of things missing.

Reasons for switching to Playground

The Predictive Enrollment feature is a game-changer.

Vendor Response

Thank you for your detailed review! We’re so glad to hear that Playground’s Predictive Enrollment feature has been a game changer for your team—helping you quickly and accurately see available slots is exactly the kind of insight we aim to deliver. We appreciate your feedback on reports as well, we’ll be sure to pass that along to our product team. It’s also great to hear that your conversion process was smooth and that our support team made it possible for you to take the lead where needed. We’re proud to be supporting your program and are here anytime you need us!

Replied October 2025

Miranda C.

Verified reviewer

Child Day Care Services

2-10 employees

Used daily for less than 6 months

Reviewed October 2025

Yes! yes! Yes!

I absolutely love it! It has been such a great experience, and I’ve shared it with many other centers throughout the Sioux Falls area. I truly believe it could benefit so many programs the same way it has ours.

Ratings Breakdown

Ease of use

Value for money

Customer support

Functionality

Pros:

I love the Playground app because it seamlessly incorporates a CRM. Once my website is up and running, it’ll help me build strong, consistent revenue streams.

Cons:

What I like least is the payroll timing. It says funds pull the next day, but it often takes several days to process, which causes issues.

Reasons for switching to Playground

Everything is in one place, ease, and conscience

Vendor Response

Thank you so much for your kind words and for spreading the word about Playground in the Sioux Falls area—it means a lot! We’re thrilled to hear that the built-in CRM has already made such an impact and that you’re looking forward to using it even more once your website is live. Building strong, consistent revenue streams is exactly the kind of growth we love to support. We’re also glad the all-in-one convenience and ease of use made switching from your previous system a clear choice. If there’s anything else we can do to help as you continue rolling out Playground—or ideas you’d like to share—we’re always here for you!

Replied October 2025

Tamika M.

Verified reviewer

Child Day Care Services

2-10 employees

Used daily for less than 6 months

Reviewed October 2025

Owner and director

I give a 5-star for the help and learning of this app.

Ratings Breakdown

Ease of use

Value for money

Customer support

Functionality

Pros:

The app it self. also the help you get if you need questions answered right away.

Cons:

I hope I don't have to answer this question. I am still new to this.

Reasons for choosing Playground

i wanted to see how your product will work for me

Vendor Response

Thank you for your feedback! We’re so glad to hear that you’re already having a positive experience with the app and the quick support you’re receiving. We’re here to make the transition smooth and easy as you continue exploring. We’re confident you’ll continue to see how our all-in-one platform can grow with your program. If you ever have questions or need guidance, our team is always just a click away!

Replied October 2025

Michele E.

Verified reviewer

Child Day Care Services

2-10 employees

Used daily for less than 6 months

Reviewed February 2026

i give it a 4.5

I myself as the owner/ director like the fact that once staff are clocked out, they are not able to get into the app at all.

Ratings Breakdown

Ease of use

Value for money

Customer support

Functionality

Pros:

We just recently started using Playground about a month ago and really enjoy the app with everything there is to offer for parent/ staff communication and staff communication and all the benefits using it.

Cons:

I wish that the app could add in the amount of PTO that the staff earn as the hours accrue. also, the fact that the staff don't get that info put into their check stubs

Reasons for switching to Playground

i liked all the things playground has to offer

Vendor Response

So glad you’re enjoying Playground so far! We appreciate the feedback on PTO tracking, we'll have some updates here coming soon. If there's anything else we can do to help, please don't hesitate to reach out!

Replied February 2026

Showing 1 - 10 of 186 Reviews

See All Reviews

Playground FAQs

Does LearnDash have an API?
Yes, LearnDash has a REST API that developers can use. LearnDash offers full documentation for the API on a subsite called LearnDash Developers. This documentation includes information about using the API for retrieving course information and managing users, quizzes, course progress, and assignments. The API allows for custom flexibility.
Is there a free version of LearnDash?
LearnDash does not have a free version of the plugin but offers a limited demo. Pricing for LearnDash starts at $199 per year for a single-site subscription, which includes access to all core features. LearnDash also offers a subscription called StellarSites Learning, which starts at $29 per month (billed annually). This plan allows a user to launch a hosted course website on WordPress.
What does Playground do?
Playground streamlines operations and communications for childcare centers. Features include enrollment, daily check-ins, attendance tracking, billing, parent messaging, expense tracking, and payroll. The software consolidates these tasks onto a single platform, reducing the administrative burden while keeping parents connected.
Who uses Playground?
Playground is popular among small to midsize childcare operators, with most reviewers coming from businesses with fewer than 50 employees. The platform serves preschools, in-home providers, after-school programs, daycares, and early learning centers.
How much is Playground?
Playground does not list its pricing publicly; a sales rep can provide you with a custom quote based on your center's size and needs. The platform offers a free trial or demo for those interested in learning more. Although pricing is not disclosed, verified reviewers give the software 4.7 out of 5 stars for value for money, indicating they are pleased with the cost.
How does Playground work?
Playground works by centralizing key childcare operations on a single platform. New users enter their school, staff, and student information, all of which will be available on the admin dashboard, along with tabs for billing, paperwork, chat, reporting, and more. All staff members and parents of your students should download the Playground app to fully leverage the billing, attendance, communication, and other features.

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Playground 2026: Benefits, Features & Pricing

Our Summary

What is Playground:

Why we like Playground:

Who should use Playground:

Playground Screenshots

Playground Overview

Playground Pricing and Plans

Playground Features

Playground Integrations

Playground Key Sentiments

Playground User Reviews

Playground FAQs

Playground Popular Comparisons

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