The ultimate guide to strong daily reports

Early childhood educators have an incredibly important job. They are entrusted with young minds and are expected to help guide them in many areas of development. Parents trust that when they drop off their little one, the experience will be relayed back to them with necessary details. This important exchange happens through a strong daily report. 

Strong daily reports templates should include information that details how a child spent their day. A parent should have all their major questions answered when given access to a well-executed report. A report should be clear, easy to read, and direct in its communication. This means that the layout should be purposeful, the material should be concise, and the information should be specific and accurate for each child. Daily reports should complement the often brief face-to-face conversation at drop-off and pickup.

HiMama has ample resources to help your center move to a more efficient and effective type of daily report.

Electronic daily reports and/or a convenient app will allow parents to have real-time updates on their child’s day. Pictures are also an added feature of an electronic daily report that parents absolutely appreciate. When teachers find that updating reports is easy and convenient, they will be more likely to include not just the necessary components but the sweet and unique moments throughout the day as well. Everyone will benefit from a strong daily report that is not a challenge to compile. 

What should a strong daily report include?

Meals

Parents are concerned with how well their children are eating and whether they are enjoying what is being prepared and packed for them. A lack of appetite or disinterest in food may be indicators of other concerns that a parent would need to know. A child particularly enjoying a certain snack or lunch can also help parents with future meal planning.

Bathroom

Whether a child is regularly going to the bathroom is important to their health and development. No matter what stage a child is at, a parent will want to be informed of diaper changes, potty training, accidents that led to a change of clothes, etc. Parents and teachers should be partnering to encourage the child to reach important bathroom milestones in a healthy manner and this partnership can be fostered through quick and easy communication.

Sleep

Sleep has many benefits for a child and proper classroom naps can enhance a child’s learning experience. Falling asleep on one’s own is an important life skill and childcare helps lay the foundation for this. Having a routine for naptime in their classroom will also help children adapt to their own bedtime schedule at home. Being overly tired consistently or not being able to sleep at all may be a cause for concern. Due to the implications of the importance of naps, it is crucial parents receive information each day. Observations of nap behavior will give deeper insight for parents and can even help them plan their family’s activities after pickup. Including the actual hour the child was napping or the length of the nap are details that should be included in a daily report.

Mood

A child’s mood should be noted on the report. This does not have to be a long explanation, but it should be enough so that a parent or guardian understands the child’s general disposition. Even a one-word adjective like “happy” or “excited” will do since this is not the only information that touches upon the child’s overall mood to be included in the report. Other sections of the daily report such as naps and meals will contribute to a parent knowing the general attitude of their child for the day. 

Activities

Every parent loves to know what their child is doing during the day. This is the “good stuff”. Parents can get a glimpse of some interesting events in this portion of the report. Maybe the child is working on their ABCs or is in the middle of a sensory unit. Knowing what activities a child is engaging in also helps instill confidence in the childcare’s ability to provide meaningful opportunities for learning and growth. It will also help establish trust with the educators. Pictures are one of the best parts of the daily report, which is why using an app or moving to an electronic daily report like the one offered through HiMama is of great benefit. Actually seeing evidence of a child working with colorful manipulatives, climbing in the play area, or laughing as they build with blocks brings a parent a special type of joy.

Notifications

This is the section of the daily report for reminders and tips. Maybe a child has run low on supplies or there is a special event happening that week at the center. The notes section will help a parent get information that they would otherwise miss, especially because the time for a longer conversation at drop-off or pickup is not guaranteed.

Training teachers to fill in reports with up-to-date information and to not leave necessary fields empty will help the consistency and equity of daily reports across the center. This expertise will also ensure that parents can trust the information they are receiving and know that the educators with their children are capable professionals. Parents are grateful for strong daily reports that help foster an appreciation for the daycare center that is providing services for their little ones. Download a strong daily report template here!