---
title: "Add your first children"
description: "Create families, add children to them, and assign billing plans."
type: guide
updated: 2026-09-14
canonical_url: https://help.nestlicare.com/getting-started/add-your-first-children
roles: ["center_admin", "super_admin"]
platforms: [web]
---
In NestliCare, children belong to **families**. A family is one or more parents plus one or more children. You create the family first, then add the children and any co-parents.

## Create a family

1. Go to **Families & Children → Families**, then click **New family**.
2. Enter the **primary parent's** name, email, and phone.
3. Click **Save**. You land on the family's detail page.

![New family form screenshot placeholder](/screenshots/owners/enrollment/new-family.png)

## Add a co-parent (optional)

If the child has two parents:

1. On the family page, click **Add parent**.
2. Enter the second parent's name, email, and phone.
3. Choose their **relationship** (mom, dad, step-parent, legal guardian, etc.).
4. **Save**.

Each parent gets their own login and their own view of the app. They can both check in, pay, and message independently.

## Add a child

1. On the family page, click **Add child**.
2. Enter the child's:
   - **First and last name**
   - **Date of birth** (controls age bracket reports and suggested billing plans)
   - **Room** — which classroom they're assigned to
   - **Enrollment date** — their first day
3. Add emergency contacts, allergies, and medical notes if you have them — you can fill these in later.
4. **Save**.

<Callout kind="info" title="Why enrollment date matters">
If you bill monthly, enrollment date sets their first invoice's proration. A child starting mid-month gets charged only for the days they actually attended.
</Callout>

## Assign a billing plan

1. On the child's detail page, click the **Billing** tab.
2. Click **Assign plan**.
3. Pick the plan, pick the **start date**, and **Save**.

Invoices will now generate on the plan's cadence. You can override amounts, add discounts, or apply credits at any time.

## Invite the parents

Back on the family page:

1. Click **Invite parents**.
2. Both parents get an email with a link to install the parent app and sign in.
3. They can start seeing their child's activities the moment they log in — including anything you've already posted.

## Bulk import

Adding more than 5 families by hand gets old. If you're migrating from another provider:

1. Go to **Families & Children → Families**, then **Import**.
2. Download the CSV template.
3. Fill it in (one row per child, with parent columns).
4. Upload.

We show a preview and flag any issues before committing. See [Move your data over](/getting-started/migrate-your-data) to have our team set up a whole roster for you.

## Troubleshooting

**"A family with this email already exists."** That email is already attached to another family — search for it in **Families** and add the child there instead of creating a new family.

**Child doesn't show up in the app.** Confirm they're assigned to a room and their enrollment date isn't in the future. Teachers only see children in their assigned rooms.