2026-07-23 | Reading time: 8 minute(s)
The parent-facing mobile application is one of the most visible features of MyDaycare Plus — and when it's introduced well, it becomes one of the most appreciated. But a smooth rollout doesn't happen by accident. This guide walks you through everything you need to do before sending that first invitation, how the invitation process works, and what parents can expect once they're in.
Before inviting parents, make sure your educators are fully comfortable with MyDaycare Plus. Parents will have access to daily reports and activity updates — which means those reports need to exist, be consistent, and reflect the quality of care you provide.
A good rule of thumb: wait until your team has created at least a few daily reports on their own. This gives parents something meaningful to see from day one, and it ensures your staff isn't scrambling to figure out the app at the same time parents are logging in for the first time.
Think of it this way — the mobile app is a window into your daycare. You want to make sure the room is ready before you open the curtains.
To send invitations through MyDaycare Plus, you first need to connect an email profile to your account. This is the address from which invitations — and all subsequent account emails — will be sent to parents.
Make sure this is a professional address your daycare uses regularly (not a personal inbox), and that it's properly configured in your settings before you proceed. Without this step, the invitation system won't be able to send anything.
Once your team is ready and your email is connected, here's exactly what happens when you invite a parent:
The process is designed to be simple for parents — no technical steps, no forms to fill out. They just accept, receive their login, and they're in.
One of the most common mistakes daycare directors make is sending invitations without any warning. Parents who receive an unexpected email from an unfamiliar system may ignore it, delete it, or mark it as spam.
To avoid this, send a heads-up email to all parents one to two weeks before the invitations go out. Let them know:
The easiest way to do this is to use the Mass Emailing module built into MyDaycare Plus. It lets you reach all parents in a few clicks, with a professional message sent directly from your connected email profile — no need for a third-party tool or a manual BCC list.
This small step dramatically increases acceptance rates and makes the whole rollout feel organized and professional.
Here is a sample email you can send using the Mass Emailing module:
Subject: Coming soon — a new way to stay connected with your child's day
Dear Parents,
We are excited to announce that our daycare will soon be launching the parent portal of our MyDaycare Plus management platform, giving you direct access to your child's daily life at our daycare through a mobile application.
What you will be able to see in the app:
You will also be able to submit planned absences directly through the app — no more phone calls or separate messages needed.
In the coming days, you will receive an invitation email from us. Please make sure to accept the invitation — this is the step that activates your account. Once you do, you will receive a second email with your username and password, and you will be ready to log in.
Do not hesitate to reach out if you have any questions in the meantime.
Also make sure there is enough data already in the system before going live — daily reports or photos that parents will actually see when they first open the app. An empty profile on day one is a missed opportunity to make a great first impression.
The features available to parents depend on what your daycare chooses to share. MyDaycare Plus gives you control over which information is visible, so every daycare's experience may look a little different. Here is an overview of what can currently be made available to parents through the mobile application:
Daily reports — Parents can follow along with their child's day, including meals, naps, activities, and photos shared by educators.
Incident reports — If an incident occurs at the daycare, parents can view the full report directly in the app, keeping communication transparent and documented.
Tax receipt forms — Parents can access their childcare tax receipts through the app, eliminating the need to print and distribute paper copies at the end of the year.
Announcements — Your team can post announcements that appear directly in the parent app, making it easy to share important news, schedule changes, or reminders without relying on paper handouts or separate emails.
Surveys — You can create and send surveys to parents through MyDaycare Plus, which they can complete directly from their mobile app. This is a great way to gather feedback, gauge interest in new programs, or involve families in daycare decisions.
It's also worth noting that the set of available parent features will evolve over time, as the application continues to develop. New capabilities will be added in future updates, so the app will only get more useful for both your team and the families you serve.
One of the most practical features parents will appreciate is the ability to submit planned absences directly through the app.
If a child will be absent for any reason — illness, a medical appointment, a family vacation — the parent can notify the daycare in just a few taps, without needing to call or send a separate message. The daycare receives the information right away, making it easy to plan staffing, prepare meals, and update attendance records.
This feature alone saves a significant amount of back-and-forth communication every week. For parents, it's convenient. For your team, it's one less interruption during the morning rush.
Rolling out the mobile app to parents is a milestone — it deepens the connection between your daycare and the families you serve. Take the time to prepare your team, set up your email profile, and give parents a heads-up before the invitations land in their inbox.
When it's done right, the transition is smooth for everyone.