Sending newsletters to your program’s families is a great way to keep everyone in the loop about what is going on and to maintain an open line of communication. If you do not currently have a program newsletter, it might feel intimidating to create one. In this article we share a few quick and easy tips to help you get started.
Newsletters can be printed, shared on your Facebook page, or sent via email. Paperless is usually the best option; handouts can get lost in the business of drop-off and pick-up, and it can be tricky to ensure that every parent gets one.
There are a number of services that can help you create and send an email newsletter. Here are a few that are budget-friendly and easy-to-use:
MailChimp: Has a free option and an ability to automate or schedule your emails
Sender: Also has a free option and enables personalization for each recipient
Zoho Campaigns: Pricing plans as low as $6/month and several pre-designed templates that are easily customized to your program’s needs
It can be tricky to decide what exactly to put into each newsletter. Here are a few ideas for things to include:
Important dates and reminders: Parents are busy, and it is helpful to send a few reminders when you have an event coming up so that they don’t forget. Remind parents about school celebrations, school closures, community building events, etc.
Fun stories about the children: Share what children are working on, what they have been learning, and current classroom projects. You might even have a teacher write up a few brief sentences to share about what is going on in the classroom. If you augment these stories with a few photos, parents get a sense of what is going on during the day.
Welcome and intro for new families: When new families join your program, the newsletter can be an opportunity to welcome and introduce them. You can share the parent and children’s names, along with a photo and two fun facts about the family.
Consistency is key: Parents and staff will appreciate getting a newsletter they can count on. This might mean sending a letter out weekly, monthly, or on another schedule that works for you. The most important thing is to commit to a timeline that feels approachable and realistic, without putting too much added pressure on your schedule.
Keep it short and sweet: Newsletters do not need to be long. In fact, they should be just the opposite! Keep your notes simple and brief. Readers enjoy quick updates that are easy to quickly read through and digest, so it is best to just stick to the headlines.
Share it on the website: Newsletters can be sent to families via email, but they should also be posted on the website so that everyone can easily access them if they are looking for information. You might even consider having an archive section with the past few newsletters so that parents can refer back.
Make it visually appealing: Add a few photos of children playing, pictures of new books, and a little bit of color! Newsletters should be fun, welcoming, and enjoyable for families to read.
