CMs: What do you put in your newsletter?

[lollipopmother]

I really like the idea of doing a newsletter, but I honestly have no idea what I'd put in it! When one of my mindees finally walked her first steps I thought 'ohhh maybe that would be something to put in a newsletter!', but now I'm not sure! What do you put in yours?

school term dates, holidays/days off, programme of toddler groups/visits, photo's, notice of wet weather clothes/wellies/gloves etc. spaces available, ideas for local weekend activities.
News of activities at local children centre's.

yes like dan's

I do mine termly

Hi

Are the parents happy with you doing this, especially if it was the first steps with you !!! may not like it.

Going to do school run will come back and let you know what I do.... later

yes, it's all part of engaging the families, they all seem to like it

I invite suggestions for activities/experiences that the families would like me to undertake, with the rider that planning means that sometimes we can't do it straightaway (but might keep in reserve say til half term)

Ofsted loves this kind of thing; see if you can engage the dads in some way too

Same as Dan, also hello to new starters goodbye to those going to big school, recent training undertaken, reminders for prompt payment, in my last newsletter asked for parents to be prompt on collection and drop off as this was starting to be an issue, making me late picking up others, recent purchases, timetable of activities (always with a subject to change clause).

I personally wouldn't put anything personal about an individual child's achievements or family's issues (although when one of my families moved to Australia I got their permission to put it in the newsletter to officially wish them well, even though everyone knew anyway and was invited to their bit leaving bash, still missing them ) anyway I digress - the point is I asked permission for that type of info to be included.

I only do mine when I feel there is a need to pass on quite a bit of info at the same time, averages about 3/4 a year.

Mum2bless - What sort of things do you think the parents might not like?

Dogs - I like the idea of engaging the Dads, I have no idea how I'd begin to do this though! I have a poster on the wall that says different ways for Dads to praise their child, I think it's a bit strange but it was actually handed out at the local Children's Centre so I assume the manufacturer must think there's a need for it ....

yy bringing dads into care arrangements means that children start to be aware that care isn't an all-female domain

things like - dads: do you have a particular skill or talent that you would like to share with us/do a what my dad does week with photos from home

(obv if you have non-nuclear families then this would be terribly exclusive and bad practice)

I think it's such a shame that people wouldn't want the fact that their child has done something special to be in a newsletter, but I suppose I must just be a 'pushy parent' type that likes everyone to know how well mine is doing .

I think with hindsight that I probably wouldn't have enough to put in a newsletter, I only have under 2s so nothing school-related is relevant, booooo!

I don't think it's a case of not wanting to put something special in the newsletter. It's a case of being selective. If a child takes its first steps with me, I do NOT tell the parents... Then inevitably they come the next day all excited because their child took their first steps that evening and they saw it themselves... I wouldn't take that special thing away from the parents. With their permission I then post the news in the newsletter, that Child X took their first steps with mum and dad on ... Same with anything else major, like first words etc.

I do a newsletter each month - I include lots of photos of what we have been up to the previous month, very tongue-in-cheek information about the latest requirements from Ofsted (I exude sarcasm with a vengeance), reminders about my holiday dates, info about training courses I may have done, etc. My newsletters are not ultra-serious at all, they are designed to convey the fun we have.

... and I obviously have written permission to include photos of the children on the newsletters, which are given out to all the parents!

Hi Lollypopmother

My son who 14 does the newsletter for me. He's quite good at that sort of thing.

I deal with five children from FOUR families.

Some ideas

Reminder of what holidays I am taking, asking parents to let me know when they are taking theres.

Whats new, ie any euipment,

Where i visited during the school hols

Its a change to thank the parents for their support.

I tend not to put personal stuff about anyone in the newsletter its kinna general stuff, You could also perhaps mention about charges for late payment or collection if this is necessary (this enables you to pin point stuff whithout mentioning anyone personally)

Any training you are doing.

What I am helping the kids with ie reading or counting etc.

I am due for another one soon.

I do one each month. A one line entry about each child (and ourselves). Updates on vacancies, reminders about wellies, etc. Photos of highlights of the month. All this is with parents permission.

Feedback from parents has been positive.