How should a pre-primary teacher communicate with parents?
Communicate with parents regularly, warmly and professionally: greet them at drop-off and pickup, send short positive updates through the school diary or app, hold termly meetings with examples of their child's progress, share ideas for play at home, and raise concerns privately, calmly and with specific examples. Respect privacy and keep messages within school channels.
What this means in practice
Strong teacher-parent partnerships help children settle, learn and behave well.
Good practice
- Start with something positive
- Be specific: 'She counted to 10 today'
- Listen to parents' views
- Agree one next step together
- Follow up
Difficult conversations
Choose a private time, describe what you observed (not labels), ask about home, and agree a plan.
Parent workshops
Short workshops help parents support learning at home. Topics that work well include reading aloud, phonics sounds, play-based maths, screen time and settling routines. Keep them practical: show an activity, let parents try it, and give a one-page handout. Workshops build trust and make home and school feel like one team.
Practical next steps
- Plan a weekly positive note per child.
- Prepare examples for meetings.
- Use school-approved channels only.
Common follow-up questions
How often should I update parents?
At least weekly, briefly; more if needed.
Should I use WhatsApp with parents?
Only if your school's policy allows it.
Sources
Course facts from APTTI's published course pages, checked 10 October 2026. Editorial policy.