If you’re like most people, your inbox is filled with newsletters—many of which never get opened. But did you know that school-related emails have some of the highest open rates? Parents care deeply about what’s happening in their child’s school, and they’re eager for updates.
Why? Because preschool newsletters for parents…
- Engage. You can’t over-communicate with parents. They care deeply about what’s happening in their child’s school because their child is the dearest thing to their heart. The more they know, the better they feel.
- Educate. Parents are constantly hunting for information about their child’s development and how best to prepare for those next stages. By sharing child-rearing philosophies, you prepare parents for different developmental stages and demonstrate that you advocate for their well-being. For example, sharing that biting is an age-appropriate response for a child who can’t communicate yet will ease the mind of a parent whose toddler is doing just that.
- Inform. Preschool newsletters notify parents of upcoming programs and events happening in your childcare center. It keeps parents in the loop so they can take action and be prepared.
- Reinforce peace of mind. All these elements work together to remind parents why they chose your school and that your school’s teachers contribute to their child’s success and growth. It’s a team effort.
5 Topics to Include in Your Preschool Newsletter for Parents
Next, let’s explore five key topics to include in your preschool newsletter, along with where to find great content. These topics aren’t in any particular order, and you don’t need to include all of them in every newsletter.
In fact, keeping newsletters concise boosts engagement. Parents are busy, and long blocks of text can be overwhelming. Instead, make your newsletter easy to scan and interact with:
- Use bullet points or short paragraphs for quick readability.
- Add clickable links so parents can dive deeper into topics they care about.
- Embed short videos, polls, or interactive elements to keep parents engaged.
By making your newsletter both informative and interactive, you’ll not only increase open rates but also strengthen parent-school communication.
Here are five topics you can include in preschool newsletters for parents:
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Time-Sensitive News
This type of content is based on current events. It lets parents know what’s happening in and around your school.
Link to Your Menu
Providing a link to your weekly or monthly menu reassures parents that their child’s nutritional needs are being met. They may even print the menu and stick it to their fridge so they can make complementary meals at home.
Classroom Activities
You can include classroom activities in your newsletter one of two ways. Either share pictures of activities after the fact, or let parents know what’s happening in the near future. Explain how those future activities tie into your curriculum and what developmental skills the children will learn from them.
For example, if the activity is literacy-based, explain what books the kids are reading or what the unit of study looks like so parents can reinforce it at home.
Sharing what’s happening in your school every week helps parents start conversations with their child. When they pick their child up, they can ask specific questions about activities instead of the basic “What did you do today?” — which usually results in the disappointing response of “Nothing.”
Weather-Related Information
You may not think you’d need to remind parents to send a raincoat with their child on a rainy day, but people are busy and forgetfulness happens. Newsletters are a great place to remind parents of weather policies and where to look for information about school closures.
You can also include notices about special events like swim days, complete with reminders to pack swimsuits and sunscreen.
Explanation of School Closures
Any time there’s an upcoming school closure, notify parents through your newsletter. List the closure dates and what holiday is being celebrated (when applicable). This helps parents plan ahead and coordinate alternative child care if necessary.
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Upcoming Events and Programs
To maximize participation, highlight upcoming events and programs in your preschool newsletters, ensuring parents stay informed and engaged. Include everything from seasonal initiatives like toy drives to special celebrations such as daddy-daughter dances.
For enrollment-based programs like summer camp or spring break care, use your newsletter to boost awareness and encourage early sign-ups. A friendly reminder can help parents plan ahead and ensure their child doesn’t miss out!
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Educational Content
Educational resources are a fantastic addition to preschool newsletters for parents. There are many to choose from, but here are some of our favorites:
- Parents.com boasts a wealth of educational content. It’s well-known and highly reputable.
- ParentTV.com is another exceptional resource with hundreds of videos and articles to explore.
- The CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) has many articles and pdfs about child development available on their website. It’s an excellent resource for detailed, accurate information. They also offer a milestone tracker app for child development guidance!
- Zerotothree.org is a nonprofit organization dedicated to early childhood development, providing research-backed resources on brain development, social-emotional learning, and parenting strategies for children ages 0-3. Their expertise is widely respected because they collaborate with child development specialists, neuroscientists, and policymakers to offer evidence-based guidance that helps parents and educators support young children’s growth effectively.
- ABCMouse is an excellent online curriculum for children ages 2–8. Also look into your own curriculum provider; they’ll likely have content available, as well. If you’re part of a franchise, be sure you’re familiar with any online curriculum the franchise offers and take advantage of the associated marketing collateral they provide.
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Personal Touchpoints
Building a strong school community starts with meaningful connections, and your newsletter is a great way to foster those relationships.
- Children’s Birthdays – Celebrate the kids in your program by featuring a list of birthdays each month. It’s a simple yet special way to make them feel seen and valued!
- Family Spotlights – Introduce a new family each month to encourage bonding and help parents connect with one another.
- Staff & Teacher Highlights – Recognizing teacher anniversaries and birthdays not only shows appreciation but also reinforces their dedication and experience, giving parents peace of mind.
By incorporating these personal touches, your newsletter can become a powerful tool for strengthening relationships and gives parents much-needed peace of mind that their child is in capable hands.
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Differentiators
Defining what sets your school apart from the rest is always a good idea, and your newsletter is a great place to bring attention to those differentiators.
One of our clients wrote nearly 300 “Did you know?” statements about his school and included one in every newsletter: “Did you know we only cook from scratch?” “Did you know Ms. Thompson has a doctorate in Early Childhood Development?”
By consistently putting that information in front of families, he brought attention to the things that made his school different that parents may not have been aware of. You can do the same!
Also, highlight your differentiators by mentioning any time you improve your facility or install new equipment. For example, announce in your newsletter if you’re planning to refurbish your playground, or if you’ve just installed a ZONO sanitizing cabinet that kills 99.9% of germs on hard-to-wash surfaces. Does your school incorporate Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) initiatives or STEM programs? Parents are actively looking for these opportunities for their children, so be sure to showcase them in your newsletters!
Preschool Newsletters for Parents: Final Thoughts
Consider this a flexible guide rather than a rigid formula—your newsletters should reflect what matters most to your school community. Mix and match topics to keep content fresh, engaging, and relevant for parents.
This list is just a starting point! Feel free to add creative touches that showcase your school’s unique strengths and values.
Parents rely on you for important updates and insights. Make your newsletters a trusted, go-to resource by keeping them informative, engaging, and easy to digest.
Need help getting your story in front of the right audience? Reach out to our team!