What daily updates should you expect from your child's daycare?
Daycare daily updates explained: what a good daily report covers (meals, naps, nappies, mood, incidents), photo privacy, and what to ask a centre.
A good daycare should tell you, every day, how your child ate, slept and felt, what they did, and anything that went wrong. For babies, add nappies and feeds. The update can be short. What matters is that it is regular, specific and honest.
Daily updates are how you see a day you're not part of. They also tell you a lot about how carefully the centre runs.
What a good daily update covers
Here is what to expect, and how it changes with age.
| Area | Babies (under 18 months) | Toddlers and preschoolers |
|---|---|---|
| Food | Feed times, how much, any new foods | What they ate, roughly how much, water |
| Sleep | Each nap, start and end time | Nap length, or quiet rest |
| Nappies and toilet | Each change, anything unusual | Toilet trips, any accidents if toilet training |
| Mood | Settled, fussy, unwell | How they seemed, who they played with |
| Activities | Tummy time, songs, sensory play | What they did, something they enjoyed |
| Incidents | Any bump, fall, bite or scratch | Same, with what happened and what was done |
| Health | Temperature, rash, unusual crying | Any complaint of pain, low energy |
| Reminders | Diapers, wipes, formula running low | Spare clothes, forms, upcoming events |
You won't get every row every day for an older child. For a baby, you should get most of them.
What a good update sounds like
Specific beats cheerful. Compare these two made-up examples:
"Had a great day!"
"Ate most of the dal-rice, refused the carrots. Slept 12:40 to 2:10. Played in the sand pit with a friend for a long time. A bit teary after lunch, settled with a story."
The second tells you something real. It also shows a teacher who was paying attention to your child.
Incident reports: the non-negotiable
Small injuries happen in every daycare. Children fall, bump heads and sometimes bite. What matters is how the centre tells you.
A good incident report includes:
- What happened, in plain words
- When and where
- What staff did, such as a cold compress or first aid
- Who saw it
- Whether they called you, and when
Ask about this on your visit. A good answer: "We tell you the same day, in writing. We call straight away for any head bump or anything beyond basic first aid." Our daycare safety checklist covers incident policies in more detail.
Photos and privacy
Photos are the part parents love most. They can also be the part handled most carelessly.
Ask:
- Do you take photos of children, and why? Daily sharing and marketing are different things.
- Will my child appear in group photos sent to other parents? Many centres share class photos in group chats. You may or may not be comfortable with that.
- Do you use photos on social media or ads? This should need your clear, separate permission.
- Who takes the photos? Ideally on a centre device, not staff members' personal phones.
- Can I say no? You should be able to opt out of some uses without your child being left out.
A thoughtful centre will have a written photo consent form. If they don't, that's worth noting.
How often is too often?
More updates aren't always better. A teacher sending 30 photos a day is a teacher not looking at children for some of that time.
For most families, this works well:
- One summary at the end of the day, or at pickup
- An immediate message for anything important: illness, injury, a big change in mood
- A quick photo or two, if the centre does them, during the day
In the first two weeks, you may want a little more. That's reasonable. Ask whether they can send a short midday note while your child is settling in.
Updates vs live cameras
Some parents prefer a live CCTV feed. It can be reassuring, but it often shows less than a good written note. It also shows other children. Read what CCTV in daycare can and can't tell you before you choose a centre for its camera.
What to ask before you enrol
Add these to your visit list (we have more in our 25 questions to ask on a visit):
- How will you update me each day, and through which app or channel?
- Can I see a real example of a daily note?
- How do you report incidents, and how fast?
- What is your photo consent policy?
- Who do I message during the day if I have a question?
Then weigh the answers alongside everything else in how to choose a daycare.
With Kribble, you'll be able to get photos, updates and teacher notes in one feed. Fee receipts and reminders will sit alongside them.
Frequently asked questions
What should a daycare daily report include?
At minimum: what your child ate, how long they slept, their mood and what they did. For babies, add feeds and nappy changes. Any injury or illness should be reported the same day.
Should a daycare tell me about every small bump?
Yes. Even small bumps, scratches or bites should be reported the same day, with what happened and what staff did. Anything to the head, or anything that needed more than basic first aid, should mean a phone call.
Is it okay for daycares to share photos of my child?
Only with your consent, and you should know where photos go. Daily sharing with you is different from group chats or social media. Ask for the centre's written photo consent policy.
How many updates a day is normal?
One clear summary a day is usually enough, plus an immediate message for anything important. In the first couple of weeks, a short midday note can help while your child settles.