How should nursery teachers communicate with parents?
Communicate with parents regularly, positively and clearly: brief daily chats at pick-up, a diary or app update, newsletters on themes, and planned meetings to share progress. Share good news often so that harder conversations come from a trusted relationship. Listen to parents' knowledge of their child, and keep information confidential.
What this means in practice
Parents are a child's first teachers. NCF-FS 2022 emphasises partnership with families, including respect for the home language.
Good practice
- Greet every parent by name
- Share one specific positive each week
- Explain what children learn through play
- Use simple language, translated if needed
- Raise concerns privately with examples and a plan
Difficult conversations
Prepare notes, start with strengths, describe what you observed (not labels), ask for the parent's view, agree next steps and follow up.
A simple weekly update template
- This week's theme and what children enjoyed
- One new song or rhyme to sing at home
- A home activity idea
- Reminders: dates, items to bring
Practical next steps
- Set up a communication routine.
- Keep a positive notes log.
- Prepare for parent meetings.
What to keep in mind
Follow school rules on photos, apps and personal phone numbers.
Common follow-up questions
How often should teachers update parents?
Briefly daily or weekly, with formal meetings each term.
What if a parent is angry?
Listen calmly, acknowledge feelings, involve the coordinator if needed.
Sources
- National Curriculum Framework for the Foundational Stage 2022, NCERT
- NAEYC: Developmentally appropriate practice
Course facts come from APTTI's published course pages. Examples use made-up names. How these answers are prepared.