---
title: "Message a teacher"
description: "Start a conversation with your child's teacher or center staff directly from the app."
type: guide
updated: 2026-09-15
canonical_url: https://help.nestlicare.com/parents/messaging/message-a-teacher
roles: ["parent"]
platforms: [ios, android, web]
---
The Messages tab is how you reach your child's teacher without texting their personal number. Messages route through the daycare so there's a record, the right staff see it, and nothing gets lost.

## Start a new message

1. Open the app → **Messages** tab (paper-airplane icon in bottom nav).
2. Tap the **compose** button (top-right, looks like a square with a pencil).
3. Pick a recipient from the **New Conversation** list.

<ScreenshotWithPointers
  src="/screenshots/parents/messaging/new-message.png"
  alt="New Conversation contact picker in the parent app"
  pointers={[
    { x: 1, y: 15, caption: "Search contacts — type a name" },
    { x: 1, y: 25.9, caption: "Support — reach NestliCare support (rare; for app issues, not daycare questions)" },
    { x: 1, y: 35.9, caption: "Staff — teachers and admins at your daycare. This is where most parent messages go. Scroll down for Parents: other parents on your child's family, for coordinating with a co-parent" },
  ]}
/>

4. Tap the person you want to message. A chat view opens.
5. Type in the **Message...** box at the bottom.
6. Tap the **send** button (teal circle, up-arrow).

## Reply to a message you got

When a teacher messages you first, it lands in your Messages tab with an unread marker:

1. Tap the conversation.
2. Type your reply at the bottom.
3. Tap **Send**.

You can also attach a photo (tap 📎) — useful for showing medical info, a rash, or a signed form.

## When to use messages vs a phone call

- **Messages**: non-urgent things, updates, "Sally forgot her water bottle", "can you put extra sunscreen?"
- **Phone call**: medical emergencies, custody changes, you'll be more than 30 minutes late, anything that needs same-minute attention

Teachers check messages throughout the day but aren't guaranteed to be in their phone every second. A phone call is the right tool when minutes matter.

## Looping in your co-parent

The parent app doesn't have a "group chat" composer at the moment — conversations are started 1:1 with a staff member. If both parents need to be in the loop:

- Each parent messages the teacher separately, OR
- Ask the teacher to add you both to a **Family** conversation (teachers and admins can create those from the dashboard)

<Callout kind="info" title="One parent, one account">
Each parent has their own login. If only one of you is on the NestliCare app, the other won't see messages. Have the daycare send your co-parent an invite — it's a 30-second add by their admin.
</Callout>

## Read receipts

A checkmark next to your sent message means the teacher has read it. If there's no checkmark after a few hours, they probably haven't opened the app yet — non-emergency stuff can wait, call for urgent.

## Troubleshooting

**"No staff to message."** Your child isn't assigned to a room yet, or the daycare hasn't added any teachers to that room. Contact the center directly by phone.

**Message sent but teacher says they didn't get it.** Their notifications might be off, or they're out sick. Check the checkmark — if it's there, they'll see it eventually. If not, call the center.

**Can't find a past message.** Scroll back in the conversation, or search. Messages are kept indefinitely.

**Accidentally messaged the wrong teacher.** No problem — just send a follow-up: "Whoops, meant to send that to [other teacher]. Can you pass it along?"

**Can't attach a file type.** We support photos, PDFs, and common document types. Other file types (zip, exe, etc.) are blocked for safety. Email them to the center instead.