Blog

Improving parent communication 

We know you’re giving it your all in the classroom—helping the kids grow healthy and strong while managing a thousand things simultaneously! Parents do the same for their little ones, but sometimes, even with the best intentions, things fall through the cracks, and relationships can get tense!

Communication is vital to working through these issues and supporting healthy and happy kids. Great communication gets everyone on the same page, so let’s explore some easy ways to improve communication with parents, whether you’re using the LilyPad app or any other tool.

Make it quick and direct

Parents are busy—so are you! Don’t let long emails or missed messages keep you from staying connected. With LilyPad, you can send quick, direct messages to parents, giving them real-time updates on their child’s day. Did little Sarah have a great time with her finger painting? Snap a picture and send it directly through the app. It’s like texting but without the clutter.

Tip: If you’re not using LilyPad, find ways to streamline communication. Use quick, clear language and avoid long paragraphs. A picture, emoji, or bullet-point update can work wonders.

Share the wins (and the challenges)

Parents love hearing about their child’s progress but also appreciate honesty. Let the parents know if Tommy struggles to share toys today or if Sophie’s been a superstar at nap time. LilyPad’s daily sheets feature makes it easy to send these kinds of updates regularly.

Tip: Regular, informal updates—whether through a messaging app or printed notes—help keep parents in the loop. They’ll appreciate hearing the good and the not-so-good to reinforce behavior at home.

Make it visual

You know what they say—a picture’s worth a thousand words. Parents love getting photos of their kids, especially when they are cute! With LilyPad’s photo upload feature, you can send a picture or two directly to the parent portal, letting them see all the fun activities during the day.

Tip: Make taking and sharing photos part of your care procedures so you have the habit built in!

Automate the important stuff

You’re juggling a lot, and sometimes, things like reminders can slip through the cracks. That’s where automated notifications shine. LilyPad can automatically remind parents about upcoming events, deadlines, or schedule changes.

Tip: Use calendar invites or group message apps with built-in reminders to keep everyone on track.

Be transparent and consistent

Above all, parents need to trust you. LilyPad’s parent portal lets them access important updates whenever they need them. Open communication builds that trust, so make it a habit to check in with parents regularly.

Tip: Consistency is critical, whether it’s a weekly update email or a monthly parent-teacher check-in. The more transparent you are, the stronger the relationship will be.

At LilyPad, we’ve got your back with tools that make communication easy, fun, and effective. From direct messaging to automated reminders, we’re here to help you build stronger connections with parents while freeing up your time for what matters—helping kids thrive!