When I was working as a registered child minder I used to write a termly ( or half- termly depending on how much I could think to put in it) newsletter for the parents of the children that I was caring for. I am convinced that this contributed to me achieving an outstanding grade at my last Ofsted inspection.
“What can I write about?” I hear you ask.
I used headed paper that I designed myself on the computer, containing my name, the name of my setting and my registration number.
I would usually start by introducing any new children, one time I remember writing that a new child who had started was the younger brother of an existing child, the children’s mother told me later that reading this had made her feel proud and important!
Next I would write of any training I had undertaken or was planning on doing. If I was thinking about any activities that parents could supply items for I would include that (I once set up an opticians in the playroom and asked parents for old glasses frames and cases which a few sent in. I also mentioned any trips that were coming up, We visited a farm so the children needed to bring along their wellington boots.
I would always mention these things to parents when I saw them but my ofsted inspector seemed impressed by the written newsletter.
Finally I would tell parents that I was always open to feedback on my child minding service.I had a comments/complaints book ( I never had any complaints) that they could write in.
Of course, many child minders opt to have a noticeboard on display for informing parents of upcoming events, but sometimes parents don’t collect their children, sending another relative (by prior arrangement) instead, by sending a written newsletter home in the children’s bags I knew that parents had received them and not everyone has the space for a noticeboard.
If a parent came to visit looking for a child minder I would give them a copy of my last newsletter to give an insight into how I operate
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As as always questions/comments are welcome and please feel free to share this on social media.
Until next time
Karen
x
That’s a lovely idea. I don’t use a childminder but I love the newsletters that come home from school and preschool. It’s such an important way to stay connected to where your children are during the day and what they’re up to! Thank you for sharing with #Blogstravaganza 🙂
My nursery sends out a newsletter and i like the updates, sometimes it changes in staff, promotions, new trainees. Other times it can be the menu changing or if the kids are up to something new, like yoga lessons for the older ones and dancing for the littlies. #blogstravaganza
I hate when we don’t here how our little one is getting on. A newsletter is essential
This is such a good idea. We do a similar thing for the Toddlers group at church. It helps people know what’s going on and what’s planned
newsletters I lovely to read through. My son and daughter school sends them out via email and we do one every quarter at work! Its good to get people in the know on what is going on! #Bigpinklink
Parent communication is so important!
I love this idea! My son’s school send a weekly newsletter telling us what they’ve learnt about in different areas so we know what to ask them about at home. It makes you feel a bit more connected with their day! #itsok
#thesatsesh i really miss the communication of Nursery…now my sons school just seem to send letters asking for things, money, cakes for a sale, bottle lids, old stamps…the list never ends.
Brilliant post. I am a childminder ‘by trade’. Very useful. thanks
This is such a good idea. I think I would like to receive a newsletter form a childminder if I ever used one. Thank you for sharing with #stayclassymama
When my girls were at playschool they received newsletter and now in the higher grades they still get a weekly newsletter. It is lovely to touch base with what is happening, what is needed, fundraisers etc #twinklytuesday
I love the letters my daughter’s nursery sends home. I love to know what’s going on when I’m not there! #stayclassymama
I love the newsletters that are sent from nursery. It’s nice to know what’s going on and if there any important dates coming up #coolmumclub
As a parent who used a childminder for a few years, I would have loved to have received a newsletter like this. Very professional Karen!
Thanks for linking to #CoolMumClub100
A newsletter is a great idea. It’s really useful to have all the relevant info for the next few weeks or months in one place. #thesatsesh
I love getting newsletters from school. We had one just today. It sounds like you do a great job. Thanks for joining in with #TriumphantTales, hope to see you again next week!
I think that is great! Like you said not all parents can pick up their child so the communication going home is an excellent idea. At the school where my children attend we have a communication diary as well as email option, to write anything in and each day the children hand it to the teacher. Each night we sign it to show we are checking it. This way the teachers can read any little updates we might want to share for example if something happened at home, or if child is a bit anxious about something, and they can know to keep a closer eye on them that day. It works so well! They have just introduces a classroom blog that parents can access through a login and password that shares class activities, little videos of them in music class, or photos of things they are working on. You sound like a fabulous carer, well done! Thank you for linking up with us for #ablogginggoodtime
This is lovely. I’m just at the stage of sending my little to nursery in September and I was surprised to see they have individual books sent home of what they’ve done each week. It’s not something I expected but look forward to having it!! ‪Thank you for linking up to the #familyfunlinky‬
Those newsletters are my lifeline. I would not have a clue if I didn’t get that weekly hardcopy! #globalblogging
I miss writing my monthly newsletter for the daycare. It was so much fun and everyone loved to read about what we were up to! #DreamTeam
I think passion in what you do makes a person forward thinking and proactive. This is great and totally worth the time because it is appreciated. #dreamlinky
What a great idea. I wonder how many people do this. #BloggerClubUK
DIn my experience, not so many child minders write a newsletter because working alone means that they may not have the time, where as a nursery setting would have several members of staff, thanks for your comment x
I find my daughter’s nursery newsletter pretty useful to read, it updates me on the latest info, any dress-up days etc. I do sometimes wish it was sent a little more frequently so that three months down the line I haven’t forgotten about it. Thanks for linking up at #fortheloveofBLOG. Claire x
Newsletters like these are the stuff that carry us working parents through the school year! Thank you! #thesatsesh xoxo
Oh this is so useful! I love a good newsletter and the nursery one is a lifesaver for everything I have forgotten! Thank you for linking up at the #bigpinklink xx
What a great idea!
Thank you, Donna
I love this idea! I think lots of teachers should implement this. It’s wonderful to have that relationship with the families.
Thanks for your kind words