Communicating with Families: Finding the Right Approach.

Building positive relationships with families starts with communication. Yet as every teacher and early years practitioner knows, there’s no single way to reach every parent or carer. What feels natural and straightforward to one family can be inaccessible or overwhelming to another.

At busy times of the year, especially when routines are unpredictable, and everyone’s feeling stretched, the way we communicate becomes even more important. When families understand what’s happening in school and feel welcome to take part, children benefit too.

No Single Method Works for Everyone

Each communication method has strengths and limitations. What matters most is being intentional and flexible, choosing the right approach for the right family and combining methods wherever possible.

• Face-to-face conversations are personal, reassuring, and often the best way to build trust. But they can be difficult to schedule and may feel daunting for some parents.
• Texts and messages are quick, familiar, and reach most families instantly, but only if contact details are accurate.
• Emails and Apps are efficient and cost-effective, though not every family has easy access or confidence with technology.
• Posters and flyers are visual and accessible, especially when displayed in the wider community, yet they may miss working parents.
• Interpretation and translation are vital for ensuring families who speak different languages can understand and contribute.

The most inclusive schools use a combination of methods to make sure everyone is informed and able to engage.

Encouraging Parents to Get Involved

When families are invited to workshops or events, such as a session on reading together at home, success often depends on how the opportunity is shared.

• Ask staff who speak community languages to help promote sessions and explain them to families in their home language.
• Use a friendly, informal tone in invitations and reminders.
• Consider short drop-in sessions for parents who can’t attend at fixed times.
• Make materials visual and clear, using photos or diagrams rather than text-heavy flyers.
• Encourage children to act as messengers; they can be powerful motivators!
• Small details, such as timing sessions after drop-off or providing refreshments, show parents that their time and comfort are valued.
  

Parents’ Evenings: Building Relationships, Not Just Attendance

Parents’ evenings remain one of the most direct ways to strengthen the home–school partnership. Simple adjustments can make a big difference:

• Follow up on reply slips with a phone call or text.
• Display reminders in visible areas such as entrances or playgrounds.
• Make sure the translation features in your school App are enabled, and staff know how to use Google Translate.
• Offer flexible timings and warm, informal welcomes.
• Recognise attendance with a small thank you or reward, reinforcing that their effort matters.

These gestures show that families’ presence is valued and help shift the tone from “obligation” to collaboration.

Including Parents in School Decisions

When schools consult families about decisions, such as a change in school uniform, it’s important that every parent can understand and share their views.
Try a range of creative, accessible approaches:

• Display sample uniforms in communal areas or classrooms.
• Send pictorial questionnaires or multiple-choice surveys to reduce language barriers.
• Host informal coffee mornings or assemblies rather than formal meetings.
• Provide information in different languages and with clear visuals.
• Be transparent about costs and offer support options, such as grants or pre-loved uniform schemes.
• Involve children through fun events, such as a fashion show or circle time discussions.

These methods encourage parents to take part in meaningful, practical ways and help schools make more inclusive decisions.

The Bigger Picture: Building Trust Through Inclusive Communication

Good communication isn’t just about sending messages; it’s about building relationships.
It requires empathy, consistency, and an understanding of the barriers families face, whether that’s time, confidence, literacy, or access to technology.

When parents and carers feel listened to and respected, they’re more likely to engage positively with school life. And when communication feels open and inclusive, children experience the benefits both at home and in the classroom.