The demand for adequate childcare facilities is proliferating in India due to greater urban migration and an increase in working-class couples. As per Grand View Research, the Indian childcare services sector will touch $25.89 billion by 2030, growing at a rate of 5% per annum from 2025.

In a similar fashion, the market for childcare management software in India will reach $32.70 million by 2033, expanding at a rate of 5.90% per annum from 2025 (IMARC Group).

With the rise of this market, entrepreneurs are actively utilizing the advantages that childcare apps bring forth to parents and providers. These applications improve communication and ease the burden of administrative functions like attendance management, billing, and fostering parental involvement through updates and multimedia sharing.

Such tools offer reassurance and a sense of closeness to daily interactions with their children for many busy parents in Jaipur and across India. This guide will provide you with the fundamental steps necessary to build a childcare app like Bubble that capitalizes on this vast market opportunity.

 

What is a Bubble App?

The Bubble app was first launched in 2016 by UK-based entrepreneurs Adrian Murdock and Ari Last. It operates as an app-based marketplace where parents can search and book babysitters and nannies within their social circles. As of March 2025, Bubble has reported over 275,000 parents registered on their platform and more than 3 million hours of childcare services booked.

The Bubble childcare app has an average score of 4.6 stars out of 5 based on 2,800 ratings on the Apple App Store, and is rated as “Excellent” on Trustpilot with more than 2000 five-star reviews. Download figures are not explicitly available, but it’s stated to have “1L+” (1 million+) downloads on the Google Play Store.

 

How Does Bubble Work?

Here is the step-by-step guide on how bubble works:

 

 

1. Parent Registration & Profile:

Parents create accounts by providing family details along with children’s information (age, allergies) and their caregiving requirements (dates, times, and locations).

 

2. Caregiver Search & Filtering:

Parents search for a specific skill set and view based on caregivers who meet their ratings, experience, and hourly rate criteria.

 

3. Profile Review:

Parents can select a caregiver and view detailed profiles, which include, but are not limited to, pictures, bios, work history and summary, background checks, reviews from other parents, and, in some cases, introductory videos.

 

4. Booking & Scheduling:

Parents choose a caregiver and set booking instructions such as booking date, time, and duration. Subsequently, these instructions are sent as booking requests through the parent application.

 

5. Caregiver Confirmation & Communication:

Caregiver interactions begin with booking requests, which they review prior to accepting or declining them. Communication prior to booking is possible through in-app messaging.

 

6. Service Delivery & Updates:

As arranged, the childcare service is executed. Caregivers have the ability to update parents of scheduled activities or upload photos or activity logs via the app.

 

7. Payment & Review:

Parents can make payments securely within the app after the service has been offered. They can also rate and review the caregiver based on their experience.

 

7 Popular Childcare Apps That Are Making Huge Profits

Although it remains challenging to estimate app usage numbers and founding dates for unsourced apps like Bubble in the private sector, kids learning app development in the same niche, similar to Bubble alternatives, is likely profitable and popular.

 

 

1. Care.com:

At the forefront of this sector is Care.com, founded in 2002 by Sheila Lirio Marcelo as a one-stop shop for families to connect with caregivers, including babysitters and nannies. It is one of the best kindergarten apps that operates a subscription-based model for families and likely has millions of downloads since the launch of its mobile app.

 

2. Sittercity:

Sittercity is a similar app to Bubble that offers customizable plans for families looking to hire a nanny or find a babysitter for their children. Provides background check options along with interviews with potential caregivers. Just like Care.com, Sittercity probably has a few million downloads and uses a subscription-based approach for families.

 

3. UrbanSitter:

UrbanSitter is the best childcare app, providing last-minute sitter booking services that started around 2011. It’s aimed at parents looking for babysitters within their social circle. Most of its users, I believe, are from metropolitan cities where it’s well known.

 

4. Nanny Lane:

Nanny Lane is a childcare network app launched in 2018. It specializes in connecting families with professional nannies. Each nanny is required to undergo various background checks, which helps in making the hiring process easier. The emphasis on payroll services also sets the company apart. The proprietary service model with niche focus suggests that the business is profitable on some level.

 

5. Zum:

Zum is one of the best preschool apps that offers rides for children to school and other activities. Later, in 2016, the company shifted focus and started offering babysitting in select regions. The longstanding partnership with educators and schools must play a role in increasing revenue. The gap in the babysitting market also allows greater opportunity for growing the business.

 

6. Brightwheel:

Brightwheel offers a mobile app built for parents/guardians of preschool children and for the educators in preschool and childcare centers. The app tracks attendance, manages billing, facilitates communication, and learning assessments.

The subscription to these services is paid by the preschool and childcare providers. Businesses should develop an app like Brightwheel that provides great returns and growth on investment. The app has hundreds of thousands of downloads, indicating there is high demand amongst parents.

 

7. HiMama:

HiMama launched in 2013 and offers childcare management services. It is an app for childcare that serves daycares and preschools with digital reporting, parent communication, and document tracking services.

The revenue model is similar to Brightwheel, relying on subscription fees paid by enrolled childcare facilities. The strong presence of HiMama in North America indicates that there is strong demand from users, and thus, the service is provided profitably.

 

 

Why Do Entrepreneurs Build A Childcare App Like Bubble?

Bubble and similar applications were devised by Entrepreneurs to address a segmented marketplace, utilizing Trust and safety Technology, enabling the gig economy, data-driven community structure fostering, and their proprietary algorithms.

 

 

1. Addresses a Major Pain Point:

The process to make a childcare app like Bubble is highly advantageous. As a user, this opens the door to monetization through seamless reliability and convenience solutions like booking and subscription-based services. ROI Advantage: Monstrous user retention and acquisition rates justify the untapped TAM.

 

2. Leverages Technology for Trust & Safety:

Invasive features like background checking build essential user trust for child care. ROI Advantage: Increased spending per user due to premium service features, along with positive endorsement, lowered operational safety costs, and reduced churn.

 

3. Capitalizes on the Gig Economy:

Full scope demand response for parents with flexible caregivers. ROI Advantage: Responding to ever-changing demand without incurring extra costs maximizes profit margins, while relying on fees per transaction for revenue, alongside a scalable framework.

 

4. Enables Data-Driven Matching:

More relevant recommendations increase user satisfaction and, therefore, booking success rates. ROI Advantage: Higher satisfaction leads to increased user participation, enhanced engagement levels, more frequent transactions, and valuable insights for new features and optimizations.

 

5. Builds a Community & Ecosystem:

You can build a childcare app like Lillio to encourage engagement with easy adoption. It leads to loyalty for childcare solutions, providing effortless cross-selling for brand expansion. ROI Advantage: Long-term trust leaves stronger retention alongside organic monetization.

 

Does Childcare App Have a Future With AI?

Businesses can make a childcare app like Bubble with the integration of AI technology to improve the user experience. AI can improve many areas of the apps, making life easier for parents, children, and childcare service providers.

 

 

1. For Parents:

• Smarter Childcare Search:  Integrated AI algorithms can evaluate preferences, location, budget, and children’s requirements to recommend more suitable childcare providers.

 

• Personalized Insights: The use of AI offers helpful insights and suggestions to parents by analyzing the data of their child’s development, activities, and communication patterns within the childcare management app development. For instance, it could recommend developmental milestones or suggest activities that are suitable for the child’s age.

 

• Enhanced Communication: Investing money to create a childcare app like Bubble with AI chatbots improves routine tasks like attending to inquiries and communicating updates. This also helps in easing communications between parents and caregivers for improved interactions and flow of information.

 

• Predictive Support: An app like Procare uses AI tools that have the potential to monitor children’s nap times and schedule reminders for parents for upcoming appointments, which helps in predicting the needs of a child based on past behavior.

 

2. For Childcare Providers:

• Streamlined Administration: The administrative duties of tracking child attendance, billing, and scheduling can be automated using AI, allowing caregivers to spend more time with children, improving the interaction between them.

 

• Personalized Learning: By analyzing the learning patterns of children, AI helps in developing educational content suited to their milestones and recommending activities. An app like Findmykids uses this concept to help businesses in progress.

 

• Behavioral Pattern Recognition: You can develop a childcare app like Bubble with AI to understand developmental milestones of children and assist in spotting behavioral patterns to support and intervene when a child shows signs of developmental delays.

 

• Improved Safety and Monitoring: Graphical object recognition tools and activity pattern analysis could be used in monitoring children’s movements and activities, which helps in keeping them safe through the assistance of AI.

 

 

Childcare App Future Trends

Before we delve into the mobile application development process for a childcare app, we would like you to review these notable future trends. These childcare app future trends not only help you in building something ahead of the mark but also in making it unique.

 

 

1. AI-powered Educational Content:

AI could be integrated into childcare apps in the form of games, stories, and activities that respond to a child’s pace and preferred style of learning.

 

2. Integration with Smart Devices:

AI could integrate childcare applications with smart home devices and wearables to track a child’s wellness, sleep, and activity levels. It would be beneficial to create a childcare app like Bubble with futuristic integrations.

 

3. Data-Driven Decision Making:

Childcare centers can benefit from AI’s data analytics to streamline staff levels, resource distribution, and program planning.

 

6 Steps to Build A Childcare App Like Bubble

Now the time has come when you must know about the process to build a childcare app like Bubble through expert guide. In this section we have complied a step by step guide of building bubble alternative incredibly.

 

1. Define Your App’s Scope and Features:

This is the first stage to create a childcare app like Bubble in which you need to make sure to capture all the core functionalities you expect your childcare app development to possess, which includes parent-teacher communication, attendance capturing, photographs/videos sharing, daily reporting (meals, naps, activities), listing of emergency contacts, scheduling, payments, and GPS for transportation. For the first MVP, focus on the most critical ones.

 

2. Research and Select a Mobile App Development Company:

It is the second stage to create a childcare app like Bubble where you must conduct every background research that will lead you to the right childcare management software development company. Check whether they are adept in developing applications of the like and browse their portfolios and client reviews. Pay attention to their communication and project management skills, as well as their technology stack, team size, and pricing models.

 

3. Detailed Planning and Design Phase:

Work hand in hand with the selected childcare management software development company to address your demands by creating a detailed project plan. Design wireframes (skeletal screens), mockups (graphic screens), and user flow templates that guarantee a welcoming UI and effortless UX. Determine the technical architecture along with the most suitable technologies for the project.

 

4. App Development and Testing:

This is the third stage to build a childcare app like bubble in which you need to know that you’re hired mobile app development company will work on this important stage that involves constructing the front end (user interface) and the back end (server-side, business logic, and database). Testing should be performed extensively during this stage to identify any security vulnerabilities or malfunctions that might exist within the application.

 

5. Deployment and Launch:

We are almost there to reach the second stage to build a childcare app like Bubble. After the app undergoes internal tests, the Android app development company will aid you in deploying the app to the relevant app stores, Apple App Store, and Google Play. This entails setting up a developer account, creating an app listing, and submitting an app to the target stores.

 

6. Post-Launch Support and Iteration:

Last but not least, stage to build a childcare app like Bubble, in which your hired childcare app development company will work on the Inflexibilities of post-launch issues and updates, alongside maintenance, which should be dealt with by the baby tracking app development company. Deploy user feedback features along the iterations and plan enhancements strategically over time, similar to Bubbles development.

 

Incredible Features of Bubble App

Knowing about how to create a mobile app for childcare management isn’t enough to build it successfully you should know about its features, too. In this section, we have compiled a list of some amazingly designed features of Bubble that make it ideal for childcare management.

 

 

1. Parents:

• Easy Booking & Scheduling: Childcare services can be found, booked, and managed quickly on demand with flexible time slots. Various apps similar to Bubble offer instant confirmations to cater to busy schedules.

 

• Trusted & Verified Sitters: Profiles of caregivers are made available on a Bubble like childcare app. This provides peace of mind, as the caregivers have been proactively vetted, background-checked, rated, and reviewed.

 

• Secure Communication & Updates: In-app messaging in childhood app like Kinedu helps caregivers stay connected with their sitters, allowing them to receive real-time updates from caregivers submitted in the form of photos or written reports on the child’s well-being.

 

• Convenient Payment & Invoicing: Seamless payment for services is possible through a Bubble-like application without compromising security. Booking history and invoices are easy to track.

 

• Personalized Child Profiles: A childcare app for parents provides care for each child by creating detailed profiles that include their allergies, routines, and preferences.

 

2. Admins:

• Sitter Onboarding & Management: Build, simplify, and automate workflows associated with the application, vetting, and onboarding processes of caregivers while having the tools to efficiently manage profiles, compliance, and availability.

 

• Booking & Payment Processing: A childcare management app transposes all bookings, cancellations, payment transactions, and security onto the platform to manage and automate accurate payout and financial reporting.

 

• Communication & Support Tools: Various childcare communication apps enable parents and sitters to communicate effortlessly while offering various support channels and resources aimed at resolving issues.

 

• Data Analytics & Reporting: Access in-depth analytics to understand booking patterns, sitter activity, and customer satisfaction. Different best babysitting applications harness the power of comprehensive business intelligence data analysis.

 

• Customizable Platform Features: Customize the app’s features, pricing strategies, and level of services based on the distinct requirements. Different apps for childcare fulfill the needs of your childcare organization and your clientele.

 

How Much Does It Cost to Build a Childcare App Like Bubble?

 

 

The cost to build a childcare app like Bubble depends on the integrating features such as real-time booking, ordering childcare services, multi-currency, secure payments, identity verification, reviews and ratings, in-app communication platforms, and user geolocation systems.

Based on your targeted platform, whether iOS, Android, or web, regions of the developers and the scope involved can set the baseline childcare management software development cost anywhere within $10,000 to $30,000 or beyond. Let’s break down the cost to build a childcare app like Bubble.

 

1. Development Team & Location

Baby tracking app development cost is highly influenced by the location of the childcare management software development company. Teams based in India or Eastern Europe offer cost-effective options, while those based in the US or the UK have a high cost to develop an app like Bubble. The baby tracking app development company should include frontend, backend, and mobile developers, along with a QA and project manager.

 

Region	Estimated Cost Range	Notes
India/Eastern Europe	$5,000 – $10,000	Cost-effective with quality results
US/UK	$15,000 – $25,000+	Premium quality with higher labor costs

 

2. App Features & Functionalities

Including features such as smart sitter-parent matching, secure messaging, and location tracking increases your baby tracking app development cost. Pricing algorithms increase the cost to build a childcare app like Bubble when adding the complexity of real-time updates or other features.

 

Feature Set	Estimated Cost Range	Notes
Basic Booking & Profile Matching	$3,000 – $6,000	Foundation of Bubble-like features
Secure Messaging & Geo-tracking	$4,000 – $8,000	Higher complexity = higher cost
Real-time Updates & Notifications	$2,000 – $5,000	Enhances user experience

 

3. UI/UX Design

The cost to develop a childcare app like Bubble also get influenced by the design. It must have good aesthetics, easy navigation, trust-building interfaces, and an appealing overall look. Parents and sitters add to the design workload, so the app engages more users.

 

Design Scope	Estimated Cost Range	Notes
Basic Clean UI	$2,000 – $4,000	Minimal design, limited screens
Custom UI/UX Flow	$4,000 – $7,000	User-centric, scalable, and accessible interface

 

4. Platform Choice (iOS, Android, Web)

Building for one platform limits your reach but reduces cost to develop a childcare app like Bubble. Cross-platform development of Android and iOS using tools like Flutter or React Native saves on combined mobile application development cost. With more investment, a web dashboard also adds to the scope.

 

Platform	Estimated Cost Range	Notes
Single Platform	$5,000 – $10,000	iOS or Android only
Cross-Platform	$8,000 – $15,000	Using Flutter or React Native
Add Web Dashboard	$3,000 – $6,000	Admin and sitter dashboard optional

 

5. Third-Party Integrations

Stripe payment guys, Google Maps API for location of sitters, and Digital ID verification are vital integrals that require varying Bubble app development cost. The cost of these APIs depend on their application and the complexity of the integration.

 

Integration	Estimated Cost Range	Notes
Payment Gateway (Stripe)	$1,000 – $3,000	Includes secure processing and refund system
Google Maps & Location API	$1,500 – $2,500	Real-time geolocation integration
ID Verification	$1,000 – $2,000	For user trust and security

 

6. Admin Dashboard & CMS

An admin panel that provides the ability to manage users, track bookings, offer refunds and monitor usage is vital for any project. Increased control also increases the Bubble app development cost associated with analytics.

 

Dashboard Feature Set	Estimated Cost Range	Notes
Basic User Management	$2,000 – $3,500	View, track, and edit user activity
Advanced Analytics	$3,000 – $5,000	Usage metrics, payment logs, review reports

 

7. Maintenance & Post-Launch Support

Reliability and user satisfaction require investment in ongoing support after launch to pay attention to system updates, user feedback, bug fixes, performance optimizations, and other improvements to maintain the app.

 

Support Type	Estimated Cost Range (Annual)	Notes
Basic Bug Fixes & Updates	$2,000 – $4,000	Essential for app health and UX
Feature Enhancements	$4,000 – $7,000	For scaling and adapting user feedback

 

Everything considered, the cost ranges from $10,000 to more than $30,000 to develop a childcare app like Bubble, based on the platforms to be used, the features to be included, and the site of your childcare management app development services providers.

To manage the cost to build an app like Bubble effectively without affecting quality, collaborate with an established childcare app development firm that knows about scalability, security, usability, and other crucial factors.

 

How Does a Childcare App Like Bubble Make Money?

Although not monetized directly like the platform Bubble, which has subscription plans for its no-code childcare management app development tools, childcare apps like Bubble can employ several strategies to generate revenue.

 

 

1. Subscription Fees:

The different tiers for parents or caregivers of a child offer varied features, coupled with surcharges for childcare iPhone app development. For example, some core communication and scheduling might be part of the basic plan, while advanced real-time video streaming, detailed analytics, and priority support could be included in premium plans, which would be charged monthly or annually.

 

2. In-App Purchases:

Add-ons or special features can be added with a one-time payment. These can be services like additional storage for photos and videos, exclusive educational content, digital journals, or even the ability to send a larger volume of messages.

 

3. Freemium Model:

Apps often offer a free trial period subsidized version that is basic in nature but has the potential to lure in many users. They later capitalize on the initial investment by offering additional perks or disabling restrictions through paid premiums or subscriptions.  Connect with a leading IT consulting company if you want such integrations in your bubble alternative.

 

4. Targeted Advertising:

Adverts for non-obtrusive and child-friendly relevant products such as educational toys, children’s books, or family-oriented establishments can be displayed. You can develop a parental control app to implement these advertisements and ensure a constructive experience for users.

 

5. Transaction Fees:

Some childcare management app developments that enable the easy payment and booking of sitters for parents may have a small percentage fee added to each fulfilled transaction processed through the platform.

 

Final Thoughts

Hopefully, you liked this blog, and now you know how to build a childcare app like a Bubble. As we covered above, creating a childcare app like Bubble requires careful strategizing, excellent design, and strong construction. Our childcare management software development company has over 14 years of experience and is capable of making your dreams come true.

Hire mobile app developers from our company at an affordable rate to develop childcare management software that specializes in scalable, multifaceted, and highly secure platforms that serve specific industry standards in childcare. From conception to launch, allow Dev Technosys to ensure that your childcare app is tailored specifically for market success. Reach out to us today, and let’s talk about the details of your project!

 

FAQ

Q1. What Makes A Childcare App Successful In Today’s Market?

Simple profile verification, booking, and payment make every parent’s user experience unique. Parents’ and kids’ satisfaction is heavily influenced by round-the-clock support and safety guarantees.

 

Q2. How Long Does It Take To Develop A Childcare App?

With the development team’s workflow and expertise, feature complexity, and platform choice (iOS/Android), it usually takes 3 to 6 months to develop a fully functional childcare app.

 

Q3. Is It Necessary To Integrate Identity Verification In The App?

Yes, child safety and trust are established through ID verification. Authenticating sitters and parents through third-party services enhances trust while reducing risks, increasing platform credibility for all users.

 

Q4. What Tech Stack Is Ideal For Developing A Childcare App?

For cross-platform apps, common stacks include React Native/Flutter and Node.js or Django for the backend. The databases used are PostgreSQL or Firebase, and the payment gateways used are Stripe or Paypal.

 

Q5. How Do Childcare Apps Like Bubbles Generate Revenue?

Bubble monetizes through Booking commission, In-app advertisement, Featured listing, and Premium subscription that offers users enhanced visibility or other advantages within the platform.