Starting nursery is a big step—not just for children, but for parents too. Whether it's your first experience or not, handing your child into someone else's care brings a mix of excitement and uncertainty. That’s why open communication between parents and nursery staff is so important.
When families and nursery teams communicate clearly and consistently, children benefit in powerful ways. From building trust to supporting development, a strong connection between home and nursery helps everyone feel more confident and supported. Here's why it matters—and how to make it happen.
Building Trust from the Start
Trust doesn’t happen overnight. It grows when parents feel listened to, respected, and included. Open communication makes this possible. When nursery staff take the time to understand each child’s needs, preferences, and routines—and when parents feel welcomed to share their insights—it sets the tone for a positive, collaborative relationship.
Whether it’s a short chat during drop-off, a friendly phone call, or a message about how the day went, these small moments help build a strong foundation of trust and mutual respect.
Supporting Each Child as an Individual
Every child is unique. They have their own personality, learning style, comfort zones, and challenges. When nurseries and parents communicate openly, they can work together to better understand what each child needs to thrive.
For example:
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A parent might share that their child has been teething and didn’t sleep well the night before.
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A nursery practitioner might notice that a child seems quiet during group activities and may need extra encouragement.
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Together, they can come up with strategies that help the child feel more supported.
This kind of shared understanding ensures that care and learning are tailored—not just to a classroom of children, but to each child individually.
Encouraging Learning Beyond the Nursery
Learning doesn’t stop when a child leaves the nursery gates. One of the biggest benefits of open communication is that it helps parents continue learning experiences at home.
When nurseries share what children have been exploring—whether it’s planting seeds, learning new words, or practicing counting—parents can build on these experiences during daily life. And it works both ways. Parents can also share new developments at home, giving nursery staff valuable insight into each child’s progress and interests.
This shared approach creates consistency, helping children feel safe and supported wherever they are.
Strengthening Emotional Wellbeing
Children pick up on the emotional tone around them. When they see that the adults in their lives—parents and nursery staff—are working together, it creates a sense of stability and security. This helps children feel more confident, settle more easily, and form trusting relationships with the people who care for them.
In contrast, a lack of communication can create confusion or worry for both children and parents. If parents feel out of the loop or unsure about what’s happening at nursery, it may lead to anxiety—which children can sense.
Open, honest communication reduces uncertainty and helps everyone feel reassured.
Preventing and Resolving Concerns Early
No nursery experience is perfect all the time—and that’s okay. What’s important is having the kind of open communication that makes it easy to share concerns early, before they grow into larger problems.
For example:
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A parent might worry about how their child is adjusting.
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A key person might want to check in about a change in behaviour.
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There might be questions about nap time, meals, or friendships.
When there’s already a strong communication channel in place, these conversations become easier and more productive. Instead of feeling like complaints or criticism, they become part of a healthy, ongoing dialogue that helps children flourish.
Making Families Feel Valued and Included
Parents are a child’s first and most important teachers. A nursery that recognises this and invites parents to be part of the learning journey sends a powerful message: “You are valued here.”
This might mean:
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Regular updates or newsletters
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Daily handovers
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Parent meetings or stay-and-play sessions
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Two-way journals or communication books
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Digital apps for sharing photos and notes
Whatever the method, what matters most is that communication is two-way—not just updates from staff, but space for parents to share too.
Final Thoughts
The best nursery experiences happen when families and staff work together in true partnership. It’s not about perfection—it’s about being open, honest, and focused on what’s best for each child.
At the heart of this is open communication, which builds trust, supports learning, and strengthens emotional wellbeing for children and parents alike.
That’s why we believe so strongly in parent partnership in nursery—not as a buzzword, but as a real, meaningful relationship with the families we support. Because when we work together, children thrive.
