# Playground: Child Care App — user reviews > 73 indexed App Store user reviews of Playground by After School Development LLC, rated 5.00/5 from 6,957 ratings. - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/playground-child-care-app/id1486661197/reviews - App overview in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/playground-child-care-app/id1486661197.md - Rating breakdown: 5★ 6,854 · 4★ 48 · 3★ 14 · 2★ 7 · 1★ 34 ## What do users think of Playground? Overall sentiment: positive **Pros** - 👍 Helpful for monitoring kids during the day - 👍 Easy communication with teachers - 👍 Informative and organized app - 👍 Simplifies pick-up and drop-off - 👍 Customizable to school's needs - 👍 Great customer service **Cons** - 🐛 Notification issues (not working, hard to clear) - 🔍 Poor user experience (small buttons, basic design) - 🔍 Switching between accounts is not efficient - 🔍 Inability to mark absences in advance **Commonly reported bugs** - Delayed chat message delivery - Blank screen when signing out - Inconsistent behavior with photo library access **Most requested features** - Ability to save and share documents between parents - Improved notification management - Enhanced photo/video capabilities - More customization options for schools ## Newest reviews (18 of 73) ### 3/5 — Need additional privacy features *2026-08-06, version 3.3.0* When trying to add a profile photo of my child in the app, it needs FULL ACCESS to my photo library (on iPhone) and it will not work if you set the permissions to limited access. Since this is an app to support the youngest of our children, I would encourage the app to fix allowing limited access permissions as privacy is an increasing concern for families. ### 5/5 — Daycare moms *2026-04-29, version 3.2.0* This is so great, but honestly it’s all the staff because I could see if someone could just post the notifications. I love that they post pics, announcements for activities whether it’s staff or for individual kids, or room notifications. I didn’t think I’d enjoy so much but since this is my first kid, this has been a game changer. I feel more included and it’s nice. ### 5/5 — Easiest app to use! *2026-04-24, version 3.1.0* We’ve been in several daycares that have uses various apps and Playground is by far the most uses friendly! ### 5/5 — User friendly *2026-03-03, version 3.1.0* Love using this and getting updates on my kiddos while I’m at work ### 5/5 — Love Them *2026-03-02, version 3.1.0* Love how they act with each other not just with the children but with each other it’s a big loving family bond ### 5/5 — Playground is a Game Changer! *2026-02-20, version 3.1.0* Playground has truly been a game changer for our program. Before making the switch, we were juggling multiple platforms for billing, family communication, attendance, and documentation which not only created confusion for staff and families but also significantly increased our monthly expenses. Since implementing Playground, we have been able to consolidate those systems into one seamless platform and the impact has been immediate. From an operational standpoint, the efficiency gains have been remarkable. Our administrative team spends far less time navigating between systems, troubleshooting issues, and duplicating work. Families appreciate having one centralized space for updates, payments, and daily information, which has strengthened communication and overall satisfaction. Financially, the difference has been just as powerful. By eliminating overlapping subscriptions and streamlining processes, Playground has saved us more than $2,000 per month while simultaneously improving our workflow and organizational clarity. If you are seeking a solution that reduces administrative burden, enhances family engagement, and delivers real cost savings, Playground is absolutely worth the investment. It has simplified our operations, reduced headaches, and allowed us to focus more intentionally on what matters most — the children and families we serve. ### 5/5 — Love playground *2026-02-13, version 3.1.0* It’s amazing when you get a photo of your children threw out day and you can talk with teachers and respond back and forth ### 5/5 — Great *2026-01-22, version 3.1.0* I really like this app for keeping an eye on my kids while they’re in daycare all day. I was wondering if the developers could make it easier/fewer taps to switch between accounts. That would make it even better! ### 5/5 — Great platform *2026-01-20, version 3.1.0* I have been using Playground school management for several years for both of my facilities. One thing I definitely enjoy about this app are the improvements and their dedication to enhancing their software. ### 5/5 — Enjoyable Alerts *2026-01-12, version 3.1.0* It is nice when you get alerts on what your kid is up to during the day while you can’t be around them. Interface is easy enough to understand and communication is easy. ### 5/5 — Peace…..and Integrity *2026-01-07, version 3.1.0* Great to take a peek through out the day and see a picture as well as see the care being given to our beautiful blessing! ### 5/5 — Love this app! *2026-01-06, version 3.1.0* This app helps me keep up with my children throughout the day with ease. I would recommend. ### 2/5 — Issues with Chat - Can’t Find Support on Developer Website *2025-12-23, version 3.1.0* I’m a parent using this app, and daily I’ll receive notifications of messages from the school, but when I open the chats there’s nothin there. Several hours later I will check again and the messages finally appear with the timestamp of the original push notification. PLEASE FIX THIS ### 5/5 — Appreciative parent *2025-12-18, version 3.1.0* As a parent with so much going on this app truly is a great resource to keep track of my son’s school schedule and other events . Puts my heart at ease when I see pics posted of him and it’s easy to reach the teacher through messages. ### 5/5 — Simple. Effective. Amazing. *2025-12-01, version 3.1.0* Love this app - my child’s preschool switched to this from brightwheel for this school year and I thought brightwheel was amazing but this app is WAY better. Fast, simple to navigate, the pictures/videos are way higher quality and the communication between teachers/admin/parents is very easy. I also enjoy how the feed is clear and not cluttered. Just a really well designed, functional app - my favorite of the few school apps I’ve used in the past. Excellent work Playground team!!!!!! ### 3/5 — Poor UX *2025-11-20, version 3.1.0* Overall useful app, but user experience is not great. Buttons on home screen are quite small/short. Pretty basic stuff. No way to report this through Apple. ### 4/5 — What to improve on!! THINGS I CANT GET PAST *2025-11-18, version 3.1.0* I like playground in certain ways but these flaws I just can’t get past! Hopefully they update and make these things somewhat accessible. Mass messaging instead of an announcement or post. Adding activities or moods without using the post button. Every time you add something, it brings you back to home screen instead of your roster. You should be able to see children’s activities and everything even while you’re clocked out and be able to message parents if you’re clocked out. Should be a photo button instead of adding a new post. ### 3/5 — Great, except notifications *2025-11-14, version 3.1.0* The app works well for daycare, but it has random notifications that i can not figure out what i need to do to get rid of it. ## Most critical reviews (10 lowest-rated) ### 1/5 — This app sucks *2026-08-12, version 3.3.0* I don’t know if it really is just me, but I’ve had nothin but issues with it. I can’t schedule my kiddo for care. It let me once and never again. I’m seriously so frustrated ### 1/5 — Brightwheel is better *2026-07-07, version 3.2.0* The chat feature is messy and often unusable ### 1/5 — Can’t mark absence in advance *2025-10-16, version 3.1.0* It would be useful to be able to mark absence in advance so that when we are out for multiple days we don’t need to login each day. ### 1/5 — Weaponized in High Conflict Custody *2025-08-06, version 3.0.0* Beware when submitting documents. You cannot save and allow the other parent to add their information without submitting which will then be used to claim that you’re unilaterally submitting forms without their approval and consent. It would be amazing to have that feature added to the app so that Parent Two could make notes either as comments to what Parent One submitted or to be able to save and allow the second parent to edit. It would be useful to have an editing history similar to Google Docs so that people could see the changes that were made from parent A to parent B and the history of what was submitted and edited after saving. ### 1/5 — Notifications doesn’t work *2024-09-18, version 2.9.1* Please fix the notification issue. I never receive notifications. Every time need to visit app and do refresh to check if there is any new post. ### 1/5 — Its would be a great app if am able to get notifications *2024-09-15, version 2.9.1* The app works like a charm, however my notification will not appear on my phone i change all setting in my phone and on the app. It even has a test to send notification and still i have nothing. I will be dropping my kid out of the day care they use cause I be can not get notifications about my kid ### 1/5 — Doesn’t respect basic safety/security features *2024-02-04, version 2.8.8* Using the limited photo library setting as playground shouldn’t need access to the thousands of photos on my phone just to send a single photo of a missing item to a teacher via the chat. Each time it insists that it doesn’t have any library access at all and tells me to enable access or reinstall the app. Reinstallation doesn’t fix it either, it still wants full access to all my photos. Next step is to report this to Apple - updates that block basic iOS privacy features just shouldn’t be allowed. ### 1/5 — Buggy sign in/out *2023-03-29, version 2.7.1* Please fix the delay between scanning a QR code to sign in/out and being able to sign and complete the process. It kills me every time at pick up. ### 1/5 — Blank white screen *2022-07-21, version 2.5.1* Always get a blank white screen while I use the sign out feature. Would have to uninstall and reinstall app for it to work again. Had to do this 5 times in the last 2 months ### 1/5 — Unreliable *2021-06-30, version 2.1.1* This was a great app the first few days then it started logging me out in the middle of checking in/out or after the signature it starts loading and it takes a while and just shuts down. I’ve tried deleting the app and reinstalling and same thing. Could definitely be better. ## Most praised reviews (10 highest-rated) ### 5/5 — Child care update made simple *2026-08-26, version 3.3.0* Love the app!! Seeing continuous updates about my son, fast contact to the staff and most of all the photos!! The app allows me to stay up to date on my account as well as other family members I add. ### 5/5 — So grateful *2026-08-18, version 3.3.0* I’m so grateful our daycare uses this app. It’s amazing. I love being able to talk with the teachers and see pictures of my kiddo while he’s at school. ### 5/5 — Love this app *2026-08-07, version 3.3.0* This app is so awesome lets me see what my child is doing during the day while at the daycare. And lets me see their progress doing different activities ### 5/5 — Awesome job *2026-07-24, version 3.2.0* I absolutely love it my babies are doing better than I expected they love going I can definitely see the change in them each day they go. The staff is really nice & amazing people I love their kindness & great customer service care with the kids. This is definitely a great daycare 10/10 I recommend. The kids come home happy & have lots to talk about I love them singing the songs they’ve learned & more 🩷🥹🙏🏾 ### 5/5 — Easy to Use *2026-07-17, version 3.2.0* I love using the Playground app! It makes it easy to communicate with my child’s teachers and getting updates throughout the day. Having that really makes my day and puts my mind at ease. ### 5/5 — Thanks ! *2026-07-10, version 3.2.0* I want to thank Mr Earl , miss vanny and miss Shayna for always taking care of Ellie , I’m so happy for this app and impact learning center ! ### 5/5 — Excelente *2026-07-01, version 3.2.0* Muy buena aplicación fácil de usar ### 5/5 — Comprehensive App *2026-06-03, version 3.2.0* I enjoy that the app allows for a comprehensive set of notes, pictures, and activities. I enjoy the message feature the most. I also enjoy that the teachers can add notes to my child’s activities and even fun pictures of him throughout the day. ### 5/5 — User ability *2026-05-15, version 3.2.0* I love that I am able to react and comment to the updates from the teachers. It gives me peace seeing the transparency and being able to communicate easily to be on the same page between the school and home disciplines. ### 5/5 — Love it *2026-05-12, version 3.2.0* Playground has made our role so much easier. --- *Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-09-06.*