Why Every Nursery Needs a Parent App
Are you thinking about introducing a parent app to your nursery, but not sure if it’s the right choice? We get it – embracing new technology can feel a bit daunting. Some nurseries are quick to jump in, while others take a little longer to get on board. Sticking to traditional methods can feel safer and more familiar, but does it meet parents’ expectations?
Over the years, we’ve heard from many of our customers that using a parent app to share live updates and communicate easily with parents has helped build stronger relationships and made daily operations run more smoothly.
Why paper learning journals are a thing of the past
Paper-based learning journals and file time are becoming a thing of the past—not because they don’t hold sentimental value as a keepsake at the end of a child’s nursery journey, but because they’re time-consuming, impractical, and costly.
The truth is, that technology is here to stay. While some may worry that it takes time away from spending moments with the children, the reality is that we live in a digital world, and the children you care for are growing up alongside it. Many children now have tablets at home, so seeing a practitioner use one at nursery is nothing unusual.
But don’t worry, we’re not suggesting that nursery staff should spend hours on tablets. Quite the opposite! Our software is designed to capture learning moments and record them instantly. What used to involve scribbling notes on sticky pads, taking photos, and waiting for them to be printed is now streamlined and completed in less than a minute.
This shift to digital makes life easier for everyone. It frees up valuable time, reduces the need for paper-based forms, and makes communication with parents more efficient, helping nurseries run smoothly. It also gives staff the chance to track children’s progress more easily, leading to better, more personalised learning and development.
How parent apps can help manage expectations
As we’ve mentioned, we live in a digital world, and many parents seeking childcare are millennials or digital natives. They want everything at their fingertips, often expecting to get all the information they need with just a few taps on their phones. Thanks to virtual communication, parent apps now allow parents to stay informed about their child’s progress and daily activities, whether it’s updates on how their child settled in after drop-off, details about naps and nappy changes, or even videos of fun moments during outdoor play or special learning activities.
Parents love receiving these quick updates while they’re at work, giving them a sneak peek into their child’s day. And they can interact by leaving comments, which helps promote a two-way relationship with the nursery.
Parent apps play a key role in strengthening this partnership between parents and nurseries. Not only do they reduce the endless admin burden on nursery staff, but they also minimise the number of calls from parents asking about their child’s day – all the information they need is right there in the app. This gives staff more time to focus on what matters most: the children.
We get plenty of positive feedback in the app store for our ParentZone app, with parents expressing how comforting and reassuring it is to be able to check in on their children while they’re at work.
Many parents now consider a parent app an essential feature when choosing a nursery. Being able to stay connected and involved throughout their child’s time at nursery is becoming a top priority.
The benefits of parent apps
As a childcare professional, you understand the importance of working closely with parents to support children’s learning and development. A parent app is one of the best tools to help strengthen this partnership. Collaboration with parents is a core element of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), and involving parents in their child’s early experiences helps practitioners plan more effectively and ensures that learning continues at home.
Parent partnerships
Our app, iConnect, allows practitioners to log instant updates on a child’s learning and development. Meanwhile, our parent app, ParentZone, gives parents access to these notifications and updates throughout the day. This seamless connection helps build strong partnerships between the nursery and parents. You can share the child’s next steps in learning, showing parents what you’re focusing on next and involving them in their child’s growth. Parents can even upload evidence of activities they’ve done at home, which allows practitioners to link them to key milestones. This unified approach helps children feel more at ease, knowing that their learning is supported both at nursery and at home.
Privacy and security
At Connect Childcare, we take your privacy seriously. We are proud of our robust security measures and our commitment to protecting your data. We hold ISO 27001 and ISO 9001 accreditations, which demonstrate our dedication to information security and quality management. These standards ensure that your data is managed with the highest level of security and care.
ISO 27001 is globally recognised as the leading standard for information security, meaning your data is in safe hands. ISO 9001 ensures that you consistently receive high-quality products and services, benefiting your organisation and providing peace of mind.
Ease of use
One of the key benefits of modern parent apps is how easy they are to use. Even those who aren’t particularly tech-savvy will find our apps simple to navigate. This ensures that all parents, regardless of their technical skills, can stay connected and involved in their child’s day-to-day activities.
Cost considerations
While there may be an initial investment in adopting a parent app, the long-term benefits far outweigh the costs. From saving time on administrative tasks to improving communication and engagement with parents, the return on investment is significant. By streamlining operations and building stronger partnerships, your nursery can run more efficiently, allowing staff to focus on what matters most—caring for the children.
Save £700 on your nursery software
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About the Author
Content Marketing Executive at Connect Childcare