With occupancy rates dropping and parent expectations rising, building strong connections with families isn’t easy. The numbers speak for themselves.
Parents who see strong value and trust in their childcare providers are 65% more likely to remain loyal. But balancing communication with families while managing multiple centers isn’t easy—and that’s where parent engagement software comes in.
Ready to find out how parent engagement software is transforming childcare in 2025? Let’s dive in.
Great childcare leaders know that effective communication isn’t just about quick calls or text messages, it’s about working with families to build trust, support children, and create a long-lasting business built on strong relationships.
Let’s break down the key benefits of effective communication in childcare:
Family communication isn’t just a strategy—it’s the foundation of everything that makes your childcare centers successful. By keeping families, staff, and children in sync, you can create a place where everyone feels heard, supported, and ready to re-enroll.
Running multiple childcare centers can be challenging, but maintaining great parent communication shouldn’t be. Here’s how parent engagement software can help families feel connected from day one.
First impressions are everything, and for new families enrolling in one of your programs, that couldn’t be more accurate. The first 90 days for a new family are crucial in shaping their experience and making sure they stick around.
Data from the Harvard Family Research Project shows that parents who feel connected during those early months are 40% more likely to stay enrolled long-term. And parent engagement software is the best tool for the job.
Families should never leave because they didn’t feel heard or seen. But with 42% of childcare providers reporting a re-enrollment rate of 50% or less, there’s huge room for improvement.
At LineLeader, we recommend at least a 75% re-enrollment rate. But to join the 35% of childcare operators who exceed the industry average, you need to know how—and how often—your staff communicates with parents. With easy-to-use parent engagement apps, you can see your enrollment metrics, measure staff performance, and increase family engagement, no matter how many centers you manage.
With 70% of parents experiencing extreme stress about their child’s development, families need to feel more connected to their children’s day-to-day. With real-time updates and digital daily reports, the right parent communication tools can help them feel like part of the community—even when they’re at work.
The right family engagement platform goes beyond better communication—it gives you the data you need to make smart decisions.
By understanding how parents engage with your center, what they care about, and how satisfied they are, you can address issues early and create a better experience for families and staff. With data at their fingertips, childcare leaders can boost parent satisfaction, improve retention, and build a stronger community.
It’s not enough to bring new families in. For long-term success, you need to keep your existing families happy.
No matter where you are in your growth journey, parent engagement software is key to long-term success. Let's explore the must-have features to look for.
With automated daily reports teachers can add activities, notes, photos, and videos, giving parents a real-time snapshot of their child’s most memorable moments.
For bonus points look for daycare parent communication software that allows you to:
When it comes to keeping parents in the loop, two-way communication is a no-brainer.
With parent engagement software that allows easy, unlimited messaging, families and teachers can connect seamlessly—no more phone tag or missed emails.
Here are the top two-way communication features to look for:
With Millennial and Gen Z parents glued to their devices, they expect regular updates.
At LineLeader, we recommend posting around 7 photo or video updates per week—and with the right tool, hitting that goal is easy.
To keep parents in the loop, look for a platform that allows you to:
No more waiting for office hours or relying on paper forms. When it comes to parent involvement, self-service options are a gamechanger. A parent communication platform that includes features like contactless check-in, mobile payments, and family portals makes it easy for families to engage on their own time.
Here are the top self-service features to look for:
Nothing speaks louder than positive feedback from real users. Look for a platform that gets rave reviews from educators and families.
Here’s what to look for in customer reviews:
Lightbridge Academy is always ahead of the curve—and their approach to parent engagement is no different.
“We've been leaders in using technology to bring people together. A lot of our competitors have put in the same technology now, but they put it in to catch up. We put it in to keep parents connected, and parents love it,” says CEO & President, Guy Falzarano.
Here's how Lightbridge uses LineLeader to build trust with families:
The outcome is happier, more engaged parents who stayed longer. By leveraging technology, Lightbridge Academy raised the bar for parent engagement—showing that strong communication creates happier families and better results.
As the world of ECE evolves, parent engagement software is taking center stage. From increasing enrollment to supporting child development, the right tool meets families’ needs like never before.
Because when parents and providers stay connected, everyone wins. See how LineLeader helps childcare centers enhance family engagement. Try a demo today!