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Louisiana and Oklahoma in the food program have access to KidKare at no cost

One Connected Ecosystem
for Food Program and
Childcare Management

Join the 75,000+ providers, centers & CACFP sponsors who rely on our integrated platform to reduce paperwork, increase reimbursements, and manage childcare operations with ease.

Food Program

Digital Enrollment

Attendance

Parent Communication

Payments

Expenses

30+

Years of pioneering excellence in the Food Program industry

50 states

Across the USA benefit from KidKare's Food Program tools

75,000+

Providers, centers, and CACFP sponsors rely on KidKare daily

Food Program Management Software Built for Compliance

KidKare transforms food program management by eliminating paper, automating error checks, and customizing experiences for each user role. Whether you’re a state agency overseeing multiple sponsors, a sponsor managing numerous sites, or a single center submitting claims directly to your state, KidKare streamlines your CACFP processes.

Our Food Program solution is for:

Easy Menus Creation

Design CACFP-credible menus once and reuse them across timeframes. Create options for infants and non-infants.

Error-Free Claims

250+ automated validations check claims for errors. Fix issues before submission for CACFP maximum reimbursements.

Classroom Management

Organize children by classroom so teachers can easily track attendance and meal counts by group.

Streamlined Enrollment

Digitally manage children’s profiles, forms, and eligibility. Parents complete paperwork online with e-signatures.

For single location childcare centers that participate in the Food Program (CACFP) that submit their claims directly to their state.

Sponsor Master Menus

Create USDA-compliant menus once and distribute instantly to all sites &/or providers

Observer Mode

Observer mode to view exactly what providers see for better support

Error Reduction

KidKare includes 250+ edit checks to catch mistakes before claim submission

Reduced Audit Findings

Digital documentation means always being audit-ready, avoiding costly corrections

For CACFP sponsors that want to empower their sponsored sites/homes & effortlessly manage CACFP processes using web-based software.

KidKare Support Multiple Program Types

KidKare offers specialized capabilities for CACFP sponsors managing diverse programs including Head Start, Adult Daycare Centers, At-Risk Afterschool (ARAS), Summer Food Service Program (SFSP), and Emergency Shelter operations.

Not Sponsored? Get KidKare for Free

Family childcare providers and centers without a sponsor can still benefit from KidKare’s powerful tools at no cost. By joining a CACFP sponsor who uses KidKare, you’ll gain access to our Food Program software.

The First Childcare Management Software Built for the Food Program

Parachute’s development was driven by real feedback from childcare businesses. The result eliminates the burden of managing multiple systems. Financial tracking, parent communication, and Food Program compliance work seamlessly, providing complete operational visibility through one platform.

Parachute is for every childcare business, whether or not they participate in the Food Program​

Seamless Food Program Integration

Daily Attendance

Recorded in Parachute → Powers meal counts in KidKare

Meals Management

Record meals in KidKare → Parents view meals and upcoming menus in Parachute

Financial Alignment

Food Program reimbursements posted in KidKare → Appear in real time in the financial dashboard in Parachute

Keep Parents Connected and Engaged

Flexible Check-In Options

Choose from PIN codes, digital signatures, or QR codes to match your facility’s needs

Real-Time Updates

Record and share children’s daily activities, meals, naps, and milestones

Parent Messaging

Communicate directly with parents through secure, in-app messaging

Take Control of Your Childcare Finances

Income​ & Expenses

Track income, expenses, and tax deductions with ease—maximize savings, simplify record-keeping, and stay organized year-round.

Receipt Capture​

Capture and store receipts digitally for easy expense tracking and documentation.

Time/Space Calculations

For home providers, automatically calculate the percentage of your home used for business (feature only for homes)

Effortless Invoicing for Your Childcare Business

Online Payment Processing

Collect tuition, fees, and deposits via credit card or bank accounts immediately after parents receive invoices.

Digital Invoicing

Generate and send professional invoices automatically based on enrollment and attendance.

Payment Tracking

Monitor outstanding balances and payment history in real-time.

Family Childcare Providers

Home-based providers benefit from features specifically designed for their unique needs:

Childcare
Centers

Larger operations appreciate Parachute’s scalability and center-specific features:

Shared Services and Childcare Networks

For organizations supporting multiple providers, Parachute offers network-level tools:

Parachute is for every childcare business, whether or not they participate in the Food Program

Why Choose Our Connected Ecosystem ?

CACFP sponsors, centers, & family childcare are no longer stuck with paperwork & manual processes. Our an all-in-one platform can be used & customized for everyone - from kitchen staff to sponsor administrators.

Single Login, Double the Power

One set of credentials unlocks both KidKare and Parachute, eliminating password fatigue and security concerns. Your KidKare login gives you instant access to all tools in one place.

Focus on Growth, Not Paperwork

Focus on your sites and providers instead of paperwork with tools that handle the administrative burden. Our food program software offers 250+ error checks to ensure compliance.

Complete Visibility Across Programs

View food program compliance, financial status, and childcare operations in one unified platform. Make better decisions with real-time insights into every aspect of your business.

Unified Data Flow

Enter information once and watch it update across both systems automatically. Our unified data flow eliminates redundant tasks and dramatically reduces the risk of errors.

KidKare for every user type

Scenario 1:

Digital Enrollment

Center Administrator

Receives automatically calculated Free/Reduced/Paid eligibility status from parents’ completed enrollment forms, eliminating manual calculations and reducing errors.

Parents

Complete enrollment forms in their secure parent portal with online signatures, while KidKare automatically determines their eligibility status.

Scenario 2:

Menu Management

Center Administrator

Only needs to focus on data entry and ensuring all menus are CACFP-compliant, with the ability to create and reuse compliant menu templates.

Teachers

Can concentrate on their primary duties while easily tracking attendance and meal counts by classroom group during busy mealtimes.

Scenario 3:

Food Preparation

Center Administrator

Creates food lists ensuring all meals are CACFP-compliant, with 250+ automated validations checking for proper serving sizes and accommodating allergies.

Kitchen Staff

Utilize KidKare’s food quantity estimator to prepare meals, receiving precise shopping lists and cooking quantities based on attendance.

Scenario 4:

Parent Communication

Center Administrator

Shares digital menus with parents, keeping them informed about what their children are eating without printing paper copies.

Parents

Receive real-time updates about their child’s meals and nutritional information through their secure portal.

Scenario 1:

Digital Monitoring

CACFP Sponsor

Equips monitors with digital review tools including custom checklists, e-signatures, deficiency tracking, and automated scheduling. All review data is stored in the cloud for follow-up or audit.

CACFP Participants

Access e-signature tools for parent enrollments, making documentation easier and more compliant with fewer errors.

Scenario 2:

Menu Standardization

CACFP Sponsor

Creates and distributes sponsor master menus, sets food rules, and customizes policies across the entire network of providers.

CACFP Participants

Gain clarity on requirements, maintain consistency in meal planning, and ensure all meals remain creditable for reimbursement.

Scenario 3:

Compliance Management

CACFP Sponsor

Receives alerts when updates are needed, with Observer Mode allowing them to view provider accounts without changing data—perfect for coaching and troubleshooting.

CACFP Participants

Maintain digital child profiles with all required documentation, including forms, contact information, allergies, immunizations, and IEFs in one central location.

Scenario 4:

Claims Processing

CACFP Sponsor

Runs automated edit checks and calculates reimbursements accurately, dramatically speeding up month-end close process.

CACFP Partipants

Submit claims that have been pre-checked by 250+ automated validations, reducing errors and securing maximum reimbursement.

Scenario 1:

Program Oversight

State Agency

Utilizes Observer Mode for transparent, read-only access to daily records across all program types, identifying potential compliance issues before they become systemic problems.

CACFP Sponsors

Have tools to demonstrate compliance and support their CACFP participants with standardized reporting and documentation.

Scenario 2:

Audit Efficiency

State Agency

Saves review staff valuable time through pre-audit capabilities accessible from any device, allowing them to focus expertise on providing technical assistance.

CACFP Sponsors

Benefit from more meaningful interactions focused on program improvement rather than just documentation verification.

Scenario 3:

Program Integrity

State Agency

Leverages over 250+ audit edit checks to identify small mistakes before they escalate to serious deficiencies.

CACFP Sponsors

Receive early warnings about potential compliance issues, allowing for correction before formal reviews.

Scenario 1:

Specialized Program Support

State Agency

Manages the full spectrum of CACFP needs beyond traditional childcare, including adult daycare centers, ARAS/SFSP programs, and Emergency Shelters.

CACFP Sponsors

Access customized experiences tailored to their specific program type and requirements.

Scenario 1:

Integrated Management

Childcare Network

Provides a complete management solution through the Parachute handling complexities and financial/operational aspects.

Childcare Centers/Homes

Gain a seamless system where enrollment information, attendance data, and parent communication are in one platform.

Scenario 2:

Parent Engagement

Childcare Network

Offers network-wide standardized communication tools that maintain their branding while improving parent satisfaction.

Childcare Centers/Homes:

Utilize flexible check-in options, real-time updates for parents, and secure in-app messaging to build stronger relationships with families.

Scenario 3:

Financial Management

Childcare Network:

Provides a complete management solution through the Parachute handling complexities and financial/operational aspects.

Childcare Centers/Homes:

Track income sources, categorize expenses, identify tax deductions, and maintain organized records year-round.

Scenario 4:

Automated Billing

Childcare Network

Implements network-wide payment policies with consistent enforcement and tracking.

Childcare Centers/Homes:

Generate and send professional invoices automatically based on enrollment and attendance data, process online payments, and track outstanding balances in real-time.

Key Features That Make a Difference:

Error Reduction

Automated claim calculation with over 250+ edit checks to ensure accuracy before submission maximizing your CACFP reimbursement.

Digital CACFP Enrollment Forms

View, receive, & approve all digital enrollment & income eligibility forms, enhancing efficiency & accuracy.

Meal Counts & Attendance

Easily check in children and track meal counts at the point of service with just a few clicks, using any internet-enabled device

CACFP-Approved Menus

Create and customize menu templates select a creditable CACFP ingredients provided by KidKare, or tailor the menu with your own preferences.

CACFP Reports

Access over 150 detailed sponsor-level reports to maintain compliance across all sponsored sites.

Controlled Food List

Manage compliance by categorizing foods, setting serving limits, & approving mealtime items across sponsored sites.

The Industry Loves KidKare


Program Director , NY
As the director of a sponsoring organization that oversees more than 90 sites, switching to KidKare has been nothing short of a game changer. After evaluating several software options, we chose KidKare, and I couldn't be more pleased with our decision. KidKare has not only simplified our operations but has also brought a new level of efficiency to our entire program.
Center Director, TX
We went through a stressful administrative review with the state before we started using KidKare Food Program, and we had several issues to address. Since switching from pen and paper to KidKare, we haven’t had a single problem.
Shared Service, GA
We’re thrilled to see how Parachute has transformed the operations of our family childcare providers. The feedback has been phenomenal—our providers rave about how easy it is to learn and how they can start using it effectively from day one. The ability to handle all bookkeeping tasks and accept payments in one place has been a game-changer.
Center Owner, PA
Claims: KidKare is AMAZING! Claims take just a few clicks now, and everything is error-free. The edit checks catch mistakes before we even see them. No more stress or hours spent on paperwork—it’s a total game-changer.

Latest Resources & Community Updates

KidKare Resource Library

Whether you're navigating the ins and outs of Food Program or seeking fresh ideas for your childcare center, we've got you covered.

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