10 Things to Include in Your Parent Newsletter

Your daycare parent newsletter is one of the most powerful communication tools you have. Whether you send it weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly — in print or by email — it’s a direct line into every family you serve. In this article, we walk through ten things every strong daycare parent newsletter should include. Read on for the full playbook.

10 Must-Have Sections for Your Daycare Parent Newsletter

First, a quick note on structure. Use some or all of these ten ideas as inspiration, and adapt them to your program. In addition, feel free to rotate content month to month so every issue feels fresh.

1. A Personal Greeting From You

Whether you run a home-based program or a multi-site operation, always include a personal note written by you. As a result, parents see you as more than a name on the door — you’re someone involved in their child’s daily experience. Even a few sentences can convey genuine care and engagement.

2. Updates From Your Childcare Team

Next, give your teachers a voice. Share classroom updates so families feel connected to the caregivers spending each day with their child.

In addition, use this space to introduce new team members, feature a “Teacher Spotlight,” or let classrooms contribute on a rotating basis. NAEYC highlights strong family engagement as a cornerstone of quality early learning — and consistent teacher voices are a huge part of that.

3. Upcoming Events

Your newsletter is the ideal place to announce holiday parties, field trips, parent-teacher conferences, and family nights. Meanwhile, if you need volunteers or supply donations, ask here. As a result, families can plan ahead and step in where they want to help.

4. Policy Reminders

Every so often, families need a gentle policy refresh. For example, as cold and flu season approaches, remind parents of your sick policy and share guidance on when to keep a child home. The CDC’s child development resources are a helpful companion link for parents, too.

However, stick to one policy reminder per issue. Too many at once start to feel like a lecture.

5. Weekly Daycare Menu

Share your weekly menu so families see exactly what their child is eating at your program. In addition, consider featuring a favorite recipe or a nutrition tip families can try at home. As a result, your menu becomes a bridge between care at daycare and mealtimes at home.

6. Learning Goals and Themes

Tell parents what their children are learning about right now. Are you exploring the world of bugs? Studying the weather? Practicing the alphabet? Making music? Share it.

Parents are eager to know what’s happening in their child’s day. Meanwhile, these updates give them easy conversation starters at dinner.

7. Parent Feature

A rotating “Parent Feature” is a great engagement tool. Invite families to contribute a short article, share what your program means to them, or spotlight their own business.

As a result, your daycare parent newsletter becomes a two-way conversation — and your community grows stronger with every issue.

8. Promotions and Referrals

Next, use your newsletter to announce active promotions. Ask for reviews in exchange for a chance to win a giveaway. Highlight your referral program. Promote sibling discounts and any other incentives you currently offer.

9. Link to Your Payment Portal

If you send your newsletter by email, include a link to your payment portal at the end of every issue. It’s a simple courtesy — and it may be exactly what a busy parent needs to take care of an upcoming or past-due tuition payment.

10. Links to Your Website and Social Media

Finally, every email newsletter should link to your daycare website and social media accounts. Either the header or footer works well. Consistent links brand your communications professionally and give families easy access to your online presence.

Level Up Your Daycare Parent Newsletter

We hope these ideas inspire your next daycare parent newsletter. Try a few — or all ten — and watch what a difference better communication makes. If you’re looking for an email platform to build yours, Mailchimp offers helpful templates and newsletter ideas worth exploring.

What works well in your newsletter? We’d love to hear from you — share your tips in the comments below.

Honest Buck Accounting is dedicated to serving Early Childhood Education providers with a full range of professional accounting services. Schedule a call with one of our experts. We look forward to hearing from you.