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Years of pioneering excellence in the Food Program industry
Across the USA benefit from KidKare's Food Program tools
Providers, centers, and CACFP sponsors rely on KidKare daily
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:
Design CACFP-credible menus once and reuse them across timeframes. Create options for infants and non-infants.
250+ automated validations check claims for errors. Fix issues before submission for CACFP maximum reimbursements.
Organize children by classroom so teachers can easily track attendance and meal counts by group.
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.
Create USDA-compliant menus once and distribute instantly to all sites &/or providers
Observer mode to view exactly what providers see for better support
KidKare includes 250+ edit checks to catch mistakes before claim submission
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 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.
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.
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.
Food Program participant or not, family provider or center director—Parachute molds to your unique operation.
Choose from PIN codes, digital signatures, or QR codes to match your facility’s needs
Record and share children’s daily activities, meals, naps, and milestones
Communicate directly with parents through secure, in-app messaging
Track income, expenses, and tax deductions with ease—maximize savings, simplify record-keeping, and stay organized year-round.
Capture and store receipts digitally for easy expense tracking and documentation.
For home providers, automatically calculate the percentage of your home used for business (feature only for homes)
Collect tuition, fees, and deposits via credit card or bank accounts immediately after parents receive invoices.
Generate and send professional invoices automatically based on enrollment and attendance.
Monitor outstanding balances and payment history in real-time.
Recorded in Parachute → Powers meal counts in KidKare
Record meals in KidKare → Parents view meals and upcoming menus in Parachute
Food Program reimbursements posted in KidKare → Appear in real time in the financial dashboard in Parachute
Home-based providers benefit from features specifically designed for their unique needs:
Larger operations appreciate Parachute’s scalability and center-specific features:
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
KidKare API connects your food program management with every other system in your operation.
Eliminate redundant data entry, reduce errors, and gain real-time visibility across your entire operation. Your existing tools become more powerful when they work together.
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 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.
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.
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.
Receives automatically calculated Free/Reduced/Paid eligibility status from parents’ completed enrollment forms, eliminating manual calculations and reducing errors.
Complete enrollment forms in their secure parent portal with online signatures, while KidKare automatically determines their eligibility status.
Only needs to focus on data entry and ensuring all menus are CACFP-compliant, with the ability to create and reuse compliant menu templates.
Can concentrate on their primary duties while easily tracking attendance and meal counts by classroom group during busy mealtimes.
Creates food lists ensuring all meals are CACFP-compliant, with 250+ automated validations checking for proper serving sizes and accommodating allergies.
Utilize KidKare’s food quantity estimator to prepare meals, receiving precise shopping lists and cooking quantities based on attendance.
Shares digital menus with parents, keeping them informed about what their children are eating without printing paper copies.
Receive real-time updates about their child’s meals and nutritional information through their secure portal.
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.
Access e-signature tools for parent enrollments, making documentation easier and more compliant with fewer errors.
Creates and distributes sponsor master menus, sets food rules, and customizes policies across the entire network of providers.
Gain clarity on requirements, maintain consistency in meal planning, and ensure all meals remain creditable for reimbursement.
Receives alerts when updates are needed, with Observer Mode allowing them to view provider accounts without changing data—perfect for coaching and troubleshooting.
Maintain digital child profiles with all required documentation, including forms, contact information, allergies, immunizations, and IEFs in one central location.
Runs automated edit checks and calculates reimbursements accurately, dramatically speeding up month-end close process.
Submit claims that have been pre-checked by 250+ automated validations, reducing errors and securing maximum reimbursement.
Utilizes Observer Mode for transparent, read-only access to daily records across all program types, identifying potential compliance issues before they become systemic problems.
Have tools to demonstrate compliance and support their CACFP participants with standardized reporting and documentation.
Saves review staff valuable time through pre-audit capabilities accessible from any device, allowing them to focus expertise on providing technical assistance.
Benefit from more meaningful interactions focused on program improvement rather than just documentation verification.
Leverages over 250+ audit edit checks to identify small mistakes before they escalate to serious deficiencies.
Receive early warnings about potential compliance issues, allowing for correction before formal reviews.
Manages the full spectrum of CACFP needs beyond traditional childcare, including adult daycare centers, ARAS/SFSP programs, and Emergency Shelters.
Access customized experiences tailored to their specific program type and requirements.
For childcare networks managing Food Program participants, Parachute eliminates the complexity of juggling multiple systems if they utilize KidKare.
Childcare centers and family homes participating in the Food Program experience seamless integration between their daily operations and food program requirements.
Providers can share photos, videos, and detailed messages throughout the day, creating a window into their child’s experiences that builds trust and satisfaction.
Parents receive these updates instantly on their mobile devices, allowing them to stay connected even during busy workdays. The result is higher parent satisfaction and stronger retention rates for childcare businesses.
Parachute automatically tracks all necessary financial data, generating accurate reports that significantly reduce tax preparation time and stress.
Tax preparers working with childcare providers appreciate receiving well-organized, accurate financial reports. Parachute generates professional Schedule C and Form 8829 reports that contain all the necessary information, making the tax preparation process more efficient.
Parachute transforms the billing process by automatically generating professional invoices based on actual enrollment and attendance data. This automation eliminates manual calculations and reduces billing errors while ensuring providers are paid accurately for their services.
Parents benefit from automated payment options and multiple payment methods, making it easier to stay current with childcare fees.
Key Features That Make a Difference:
Automated claim calculation with over 250+ edit checks to ensure accuracy before submission maximizing your CACFP reimbursement.
View, receive, & approve all digital enrollment & income eligibility forms, enhancing efficiency & accuracy.
Easily check in children and track meal counts at the point of service with just a few clicks, using any internet-enabled device
Create and customize menu templates select a creditable CACFP ingredients provided by KidKare, or tailor the menu with your own preferences.
Access over 150 detailed sponsor-level reports to maintain compliance across all sponsored sites.
Manage compliance by categorizing foods, setting serving limits, & approving mealtime items across sponsored sites.
The Industry Loves KidKare
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.
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.
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.
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.
Whether you're navigating the ins and outs of Food Program or seeking fresh ideas for your childcare center, we've got you covered.
Our webinars include informative educational sessions and engaging product spotlights.
Stay up-to-date with the latest news and information about the childcare industry and our solutions.
Connect, share, and thrive with fellow childcare pros!
The Monthly Minute With KidKare is designed to provide our users with all the necessary information about the benefits you might be missing out on in the Food Program, childcare industry, and your business.
