---
title: "Message a parent"
description: "Start a two-way conversation with a parent, a room's parents, or a group from the web dashboard, and know who else can read it."
type: guide
updated: 2026-10-10
canonical_url: https://help.nestlicare.com/owners/communication/message-a-parent
roles: ["super_admin", "center_admin", "teacher"]
platforms: [web]
---
Messages are two-way conversations, usually with one family. Use them for anything specific to a single child, and expect a reply. For center-wide notices use an [announcement](/owners/communication/post-an-announcement) instead. Not sure which to use? See [Announcement, newsletter, message, or feed?](/owners/communication/choose-the-right-way-to-reach-parents).

<VideoEmbed
  src="messages-explained"
  title="Messages, explained (narrated, 3 minutes)"
  captions={false}
/>

## Send a message

1. Go to **Communication → Messages**.
2. Click **New message**.
3. Pick the kind of conversation:
   - **Direct**: one parent or one staff member.
   - **Room**: the parents of children in one room.
   - **Group**: people you pick.
4. Choose who to include, then click **Chat** (or **Create Room Chat** / **Create Group Chat**).
5. Type your message and send it.

Your existing conversations are listed on the left. Click one to continue it. Next to each parent you'll see which family the thread belongs to, for example **Mom of Bradley**, so you don't have to open the child's profile to place the name. Parents don't see this label.

<Callout kind="info" title="Parents reply from their app">
The family gets a notification and replies from the NestliCare mobile app. Their reply lands back in this same conversation, so everything about that child stays in one thread.
</Callout>

## Who can message whom

- **Owners** can message every family and every staff member.
- **Teachers and center admins** can message the families and staff at their own center.
- **Parents** can message any staff member at their child's center, and the owner.

## Who can read a conversation

Messages are not part of the feed, and other families never see them.

They are not always private between two people, though. **Admin Oversight of Parent Messages** is **on** by default. While it's on:

- **Owners** can read and reply to every parent conversation, including ones a parent sent to a single teacher.
- **Center admins** can do the same for parent conversations at their center.
- If an admin replies, they join the conversation and everyone in it can see that.

Turn it off under **Settings → Operations → Messaging**. When it's off, a conversation stays between the people in it. If you leave it on, it's kind to tell families and staff that the office can see parent messages.

## Make the app one-way

A few programs prefer families to reach the office by phone or email instead. You can [turn off parent messaging](/owners/communication/turn-off-parent-messaging) for your whole organization; announcements, the feed, and staff-to-staff messages keep working.

## Troubleshooting

**I can't find a family in New message.** Teachers and center admins only see families at their own center. Check that the child is enrolled at that center.

**A parent says they can't send a message.** Check whether **Parent Messaging** is off under **Settings → Operations → Messaging**.