---
title: "Add your first family"
description: "Add your first family with its children and parents in one form, then invite the parents to the app."
type: guide
updated: 2026-10-11
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 children plus the parents or guardians who care for them. One form creates the whole household.

Moving over a whole roster? Don't type it in. See [Move your data over](/getting-started/migrate-your-data).

Prefer to watch? This video adds a family and walks through every button on the family card.

<VideoEmbed
  src="families-explained"
  title="Families and children, explained (narrated, 4 minutes)"
  captions={false}
/>

## Add a family

1. Go to **Families & Children → Families** and click **Add Family**.
2. The **New family** form opens. Fill in:
   - **Family name** (optional). Leave it blank and the family is named after the first last name you type.
   - **Children**: each child's name, **Date of birth**, **Room**, **Enrollment type**, and the **Days they attend**. Click **Add tuition plan (optional)** to attach a billing plan now. Click **Add another child** for siblings.
   - **Parents & guardians**: click **Add a parent** and enter a first name and email. Last name and phone are optional. Pick the **Relationship** (Mother, Father, Guardian, or Grandparent). Click **Add another parent** for a second parent.
3. Click **Add family**.

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

The form takes the basics only. Add allergies, emergency contacts, documents and start dates later from each child's profile.

## Invite the parents

Adding a parent does **not** email them. After you click **Add family**, a **Family created** box asks if you want to invite them now:

- **Send invite** emails each parent a link that opens the app and signs them in.
- **Later** sends nothing. The parent shows an **Invite** button on the family card until you send it.

Prefer to set up every family first? Click **Later** each time, then send all invites at once from the Families page. For parents without email, you can print invite sheets with a QR code to scan. See [Invite parents to the app](/owners/families/invite-parents-to-the-app).

Each parent gets their own login. Both can check in, pay, and message on their own.

## Attach a billing plan later

If you skipped the tuition plan, open the child's profile and set the **Billing plan** there. The child needs a room first. See [Create a billing plan](/owners/billing/create-a-billing-plan).

## Troubleshooting

**"This person is already a member of this family."** That parent is already on this family's card. Check the card instead of adding them again.

**A parent already belongs to another family.** That's fine. If the email belongs to a parent already in your daycare, NestliCare links them to this family too, for example in a blended household.

**Child doesn't show up in the app.** Check that the child has a room. A teacher may also need to tap that room in the room pills at the top of their dashboard.

**Parent never got an invite.** Adding a parent doesn't send one. Click **Invite** on their row on the family card.