📨 Parent Emails - Check Out Our Tips

Today’s Issue: AOL Going Bye Bye; NEW Guest Post; How to Write Professional & Fun ECE Emails; ECE in the News = 1 cup of coffee.

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You’ve Got Mail..Well, Maybe Not Anymore: Remember the dial up tones, waiting a few minutes to connect to hear the famous “You’ve Got Mail.” It was the first internet dopamine hit that so many of us just waited….and waited….and waited for. Well, after more than 30 YEARS, AOL is finally closing its doors. It launched the famous love story with Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan where the large corporate takeover was impacting small businesses (not too different than ECE), but yet, they still fell in love due to AOL. Awwww. 😍 It’s the end of an era. So if you’re an AOL email user, be sure to prep for the upcoming shutdown on September 30th. There are over 500 aol.com email readers in our subscribers alone. Get Ready! (Read More Here).

Sure, parents love texts, but ECE centers want to control communication through email for visibility. Be sure to check out how to best structure emails to parents below! 👇👇

🎉New Guest Writer!

We’re excited to introduce Monique Reynolds to our audience.

Monique Reynolds, VP of ECE Business Support & Sustainability at Quality Care for Children in Georgia, has more than 25 years of leadership experience in the child care industry, including owning and operating multi-site programs. Monique joined QCC in 2019, where she has helped providers across Georgia strengthen operations, improve profitability, and build sustainable businesses. Passionate about coaching and advocacy, Monique is known for simplifying complex business concepts into practical strategies for child care owners. Her insights on leadership are both powerful and inspiring, and we’re excited to share her wisdom with our audience.

🗣️The Simple Leadership Habit That Changed My Team—and Can Change Yours Too

By: Monique Reynolds

When I ask childcare professionals what they wish they had more of from their leaders, the answer isn’t higher pay, fancier titles, or better parking spots. It’s something far simpler: “I wish someone would notice what I do.”

In my years working in childcare, I’ve learned that feedback… real, specific, thoughtful feedback, is one of the greatest gifts a leader can give. Too often, teachers only hear from their leaders when something is wrong. And even when they do hear something positive, it’s vague: “Good job today.” While nice, it doesn’t tell you what you did well—or how to keep doing it. Specificity matters. Instead of general praise, I recommend that leaders focus on concrete examples of effort and impact. “Thanks, Ms. Smith, for always arriving on time and ready to make a difference for the children we serve. Your reliability helps everything run smoothly.” It’s a small comment that communicates a powerful message: “I see you—and what you do matters.”

‼️‼️To keep reading her fantastic article, click the button ⬇️👇⬇️👇!!!

/📩 How to Structure Professional Emails in ECE

Let’s be honest: parent emails can pile up faster than a block tower on a rainy day. And just like that tower, if your communication isn’t steady, it can topple into confusion pretty quickly. In ECE, the way we write to parents matters—a lot.

Emails aren’t just about reminders or logistics; they’re about building trust. Research backs this up—Google’s Project Oxygen found that effective communication is one of the top skills that sets successful organizations apart. To boot 👢, with the average worker sending and receiving over 100 emails a day (Radicati Group, 2023), parents will thank you for emails that are clear, warm, and easy to digest.

Here’s a simple, parent-friendly structure that works every time:

1. Greeting – Start with their name (“Hello Ms. Rivera”), not “Hey there.” It shows you see them—not just another inbox notification.

2. Warm Opening – A quick positive touch: “I hope Emma is still humming our circle time songs at home!” Parents love to hear something personal.

3. Core Message – Get to the point without the fluff. Use bullet points if you’ve got multiple updates—parents are masters at skimming while packing lunches.

4. Closing – Offer reassurance or next steps: “Please let me know if you’d like to chat more,” or “We’re excited to see you at Friday’s family event.”

5. Signature – Full name, role, and school contact info. Skip the mystery!

Done right, emails become less “just another task” and more like mini bridges that connect families to your program. Remember: parents don’t only recall the lesson plans—they remember how your messages made them feel. A thoughtful, professional (and just a little warm) email tells families: We’ve got you.

ECE In The News

🌗 The Best and Worst States for ECE: A new study came to the conclusion that ECE investment is needed in all states. Hey, it’s a fundamental need. But not all states rank the same. Want to know the top 5 and the bottom 5 states? Well, it looks like Maryland is at the top and Missouri ranked at the bottom. Click here for the rest of the rankings 👉👉 RANKINGS.

🏞️ The Real View on ECE Costs: Everyone talks about the cost of ECE care for parents. But no one talks about the cost that ECE leaders endure. With a whole slew of additional rising costs — including food, insurance, utilities and the expenses associated with staff turnover, along with a customer base that is struggling to make ends meet, the struggle is real. This article has the real talk. 👉👉Read more HERE

The Internet is a Playground:

🗓️ On this Day in History: Russia launches Sputnik 5, the first spacecraft to carry animals into space and bring them back alive. Passengers include two dogs, a gray rabbit, 40 mice, two rats and 15 flasks of fruit flies. 🚀

🪛 Useful: A suite of online tools (timers, world clocks, converters, etc.).

🍳 Better Scrambled Eggs?! I tried it. It’s delicious….

🦜 Kissy Wissy: Even birds need kisses…

YOUR VOICE COUNTS

Is there a topic you want more info on or want to share a funny story? Then let us know! Shoot us a quick email at [email protected]. This newsletter is for you, and well, you should have a say, don't’ you think?

Sources:

• Employee Onboarding Stats

• Global Preschool Market

• Oklahoma ECE Teacher Law