What to Include in a Preschool Newsletter

Parents want a lot of information about their child's activities while at school. Writing a regular preschool newsletter will make parents feel secure about having their child in your program. Stick to the same format for each publication so that parents know where to find information and what to expect. Use these topics to keep parents informed.

Important Dates

Parents are busy. They need to plan well in advance for school and classroom functions. Start announcing upcoming events as soon as they are known, or at least four to six weeks in advance. Keep repeating them until the event has passed. Some like to use a calendar template to type out a schedule of the month's events and pass them out the prior month.

Reminders

Parents sometimes need reminders of the simplest things. They may not remember to update the child's extra clothes to reflect the change in weather. Snack days and sharing days may slip past. Rules and regulations of the classroom and school may be ignored or forgotten. Gentle reminders in the preschool newsletter of policies and minor everyday needs are very helpful.

Current and Upcoming Topics of Study

Encourage home-to-school interactions by telling parents about current topics of study. Give them resources to find online or at the local library. Share activities that can be done together at home based on the theme. Allow them to bring in pertinent objects and books to share with the class.

By telling parents what upcoming themes may be, they can plan ahead to share their expertise or to help you with activities.

Highlights From the Classroom

Give parents a snapshot of what occurs in your classroom on a daily basis. Protect the privacy of the children by not using names, but share individual discoveries and favorite activities. Did someone have a birthday or arrival of a new baby? Share the news! Include your own version of Art Linkletter's "Kids Say the Darndest Things."

Frequently Asked Questions

Preschool parents have a lot of questions. They may pertain to the classroom itself, their individual child, or child development in general. Think of the questions that parents have asked you the most, or use a recent example. Preserve the privacy of the individual family when presenting it, but answer the question in a general way. Often when one person is asking a question, a few others have the same one.

Tips for At Home

One of the most popular questions from parents is, "What should I be doing at home?" Use the preschool newsletter to provide simple learning activities for in the home. These can be as simple as helping to set the table, playing "I Spy" in the car, and reading together. Direct parents to community resources, library books, and your favorite blogs for more information. The more you show that you know, the more professional you seem.

Grace and Courtesy

Always model grace and courtesy by using your manners in the newsletter. Say "please" when asking parents to do something. Thank them for their support and for trusting you with their young ones. Let them know that you are available for comments, questions and concerns. Provide them with contact information, as well as the best time to reach you.

Frequency of Publication

The frequency with which you publish your preschool newsletter will determine how much information you put into it, as well as when you make certain announcements. Follow the guidelines set up by your administration and then tweak accordingly.