Neztio vs Sandbox
Sandbox (by Procare) is a cloud-based childcare platform. But per-child pricing, no AI tools, and uncertainty around its future under Procare have directors looking for alternatives.
Stable platform, flat pricing, and AI tools built for childcare.
Why directors are switching
We built Neztio as parents who saw these problems firsthand. Directors shaped every feature.
No uncertainty about the product roadmap
Procare acquired Sandbox in 2021, and the product is being merged into the Procare ecosystem. If you are unsure where Sandbox is headed, Neztio is a focused, independent platform with a clear roadmap.
Per-child pricing adds up fast
Sandbox charges per child per month. A center with 80 kids can pay $240+ just for software. Neztio charges a flat fee per center regardless of enrollment size.
AI tools that save hours every week
Neztio includes AI message polish, daily report cards, photo captions, director briefings, and reply suggestions. Sandbox has none of these capabilities.
Sound familiar?
These are real concerns from directors currently using Sandbox by Procare.
Uncertainty about the product future under Procare
Procare acquired Sandbox in 2021 and has been merging it into their broader ecosystem. Existing Sandbox customers face confusion about which features will stay, which will change, and what the long-term platform looks like.
Per-child pricing that penalizes growth
Sandbox charges per child per month. The more children you enroll, the more you pay for the same software. A flat fee per center removes that penalty and makes costs predictable.
No real-time ratio tracking
Sandbox tracks attendance but does not show live staff-to-child ratios across classrooms. You are relying on manual headcounts to stay compliant with licensing requirements.
No AI-powered features
Writing parent messages, announcements, and daily reports from scratch every day takes time. AI tools can polish messages, draft announcements, and generate photo captions in seconds. Sandbox offers none of this.
Basic CACFP with no automated claim generation
Sandbox supports basic meal logging, but does not generate CACFP reimbursement claims automatically. You still need to reconcile data manually and submit claims through a separate process.
How pricing compares as you grow
With per-child pricing, your cost scales with enrollment. With flat pricing, it does not.
Neztio stays flat. Per-child pricing scales linearly with enrollment.
Neztio
Flat per-center pricing
Sandbox (by Procare)
Per-child pricing (estimated)
Feature-by-feature comparison
Neztio may be the better fit if...
Every center is different. Here is when directors find Neztio is the right choice over Sandbox.
What directors are saying
“We left Sandbox because we did not know where the product was going after the Procare acquisition. Neztio gave us stability and the AI tools are a huge time saver.”
Center Director
Preschool, NC
“The flat pricing alone was worth switching. We were paying over $200/month on per-child fees, and the ratio tracking is something Sandbox never had.”
Owner/Operator
Daycare Center, AZ
Common questions
Is Neztio a good alternative to Sandbox?
Yes. Neztio covers the same core features (attendance, messaging, billing, parent app) with flat per-center pricing instead of per-child fees. Neztio also includes AI-powered tools, real-time ratio tracking, and automated CACFP claim generation that Sandbox does not offer.
What happened to Sandbox Childcare?
Sandbox Childcare was acquired by Procare in 2021. The product is being integrated into the Procare ecosystem. If you are a Sandbox customer and uncertain about the product direction, Neztio offers a modern, independent alternative with a clear roadmap.
How is Neztio pricing different from Sandbox?
Sandbox charges per child per month, estimated at $3-4 per child. Neztio has a Free Starter plan for home daycares with up to 15 children, and paid plans start at $79/month per center with unlimited children and staff. No per-child fees ever.
Can I switch from Sandbox to Neztio?
Yes. Start a free 30-day trial and use our self-serve import tool to bring your data over. Export your roster from Sandbox, upload the CSV, and Neztio auto-maps your columns. You can be up and running the same day.
What does Neztio have that Sandbox does not?
AI-powered tools (message polish, daily report cards, photo captions, director briefings, reply suggestions), real-time ratio visibility across all classrooms, automated CACFP claim generation, a real-time director dashboard, and flat per-center pricing with no per-child fees. Neztio is also an independent product with a clear, focused roadmap.
A stable platform built for childcare, not for acquisitions.
Start your free 30-day trial. No per-child fees, no credit card, no uncertainty about where the product is going.