brightwheel vs. PerformancePro

Any preschool can benefit from brightwheel, no matter the size. Brightwheel is also excellent for billing, which is especially helpful for schools that do not have other databases and billing systems. Because our school is a PS-12, it is a little cumbersome to have brightwheel along with another management system that we use school-wide. It would be nice to have a separate price point that does not include the things that another database system does for schools that are required to use what the older grades also use.

Incentivized

Useful in a wide range of performance management-based situations. Allows options like supervisor and peer feedback, as well as messaging and addition of notes to profiles and appraisals. Allows for uploading of external documents as well as creation PerformancePro-specific documents. We have used the system for both bi-annual and annual appraisals, and both cycles worked well. If your organization keeps performance-based records in another system or file structure, you might not utilize many of the options PerformancePro has, which could lead to it feeling underutilized.

• Recording data for students.
• Connecting to parents with photos, videos, and messages.
• Signing in and out electronically and saving paper daily.

Incentivized

• Customization - allows employers to edit language throughout the review process to reflect company terminology.
• Automation - automatic emails and reminders for every step of the appraisal process. Saves time by reducing human follow-up at various points.

• Offering a price point that does not include billing.
• Allowing more freedom of uploading own documents.

Incentivized

• Interface - user interface could be updated to a more modern feel. Home screen (with widgets) feels somewhat cramped and widget displays could be more fully optimized.
• Admin functions - Robust options, but the display of company edit pages is somewhat busy, and functions are sometimes buried under multiple pages of access.

In both chat and phone support, representatives have always been helpful and ready to offer assistance with any question or concern. Over the course of five years, there have been a few occasions when follow-up was assured but did not happen (or did not happen in a timely manner.) But much more frequently, support has been quick to follow-up and provide information as promised.

Brightwheel does much more for the preschool level than FACTS does. The creators of this app know early childhood. The company also provides helpful webinars that are unrelated to their software, such as staff retention or ways to market. They understand the business of early childhood and exist to make the lives of providers easier.

Incentivized

• Value add for parents
• Saves paper
• Benefits for teachers who fully utilize

Incentivized

• Saves time by integrating multiple performance development aspects into one system.
• Easy to customize to fully align with company strategies, resulting in a clear and consistent message when providing feedback and appraisals.