Picture this: A nervous parent walks their child through the school gates for the first time. They’re wondering:
- Will my child be safe and happy here?
- Will I understand how things work?
- Will we feel like we belong?
The answers to these questions hinge on your school’s onboarding process. This is a crucial step in shaping how families perceive and experience your school. Done right, onboarding instills confidence, builds trust, and lays the groundwork for a long-lasting relationship.
Why does this matter?
Studies in Psychological Science show that first impressions are incredibly sticky; once formed, they’re hard to change, even when future interactions reveal more accurate information (Willis & Todorov, 2006). Positive first impressions also create a “halo” effect, essentially priming people for loyalty, satisfaction, and ongoing trust—especially important in long-term customer relationships (Nisbett & Wilson, 1977)
Financially, the stakes are high. Each family represents years of potential enrolment value. A well-onboarded family requires less intervention later, reducing conflict and administrative burden while boosting the school-family connection.
But despite all this, I’m often surprised at how little time and thought goes into onboarding. It’s a missed opportunity, really. This one step can set the tone for the entire relationship families have with your school.
Let’s change that.
Below are 42 practical and impactful ways to help families feel at home from the start.
Section 1 – The essentials
Ensure parents feel informed and equipped.
1. Parent handbook
Send parents a physical handbook of the most need-to-know things about your school. Include essential information such as term dates, bell times, uniform policies, and a school map to ensure new parents feel informed and welcomed. Include a section in the handbook addressing real questions from previous families.
2. Welcome kit
Tailor welcome kits to individual families, including their child’s name and specifics about their assigned class or teacher. Focus the welcome kit on connection-building and personalisation.
3. Communications guide
Provide a quick reference to all school communication platforms (hopefully based out of a strong communications strategy) to keep parents informed and engaged with school updates.
4. Key contact information
Share a quick-reference directory with names, roles, and emails. And don’t forget to tell parents how to communicate with different roles.
5. Interactive digital map
Let parents virtually explore the campus with an interactive map highlighting key areas.
6. Uniform swap shop:
Organise a platform where parents can donate or trade uniforms.
7. Frequently Asked Questions
Create a living FAQ document addressing common parent questions to ease the ‘starting school’ anxiety. Share this before a family starts!
8. School supply checklist and discounts
Provide a checklist and resources for affordable school supplies and uniforms.
Section 2 – Relationship building
Help families connect with others and the school community.
9. Welcome sessions
Host casual meet-and-greet sessions with key staff and mentor families to help new parents build connections and feel a sense of belonging.
10. Community events
Organise casual social gatherings (picnics, BBQs are great) for new and current families to connect outside the ‘school context’.
11. Parent mentor program
Pair new families with experienced ones to guide them through the transition.
12. Social media group
Establish a closed group for new families to connect and share experiences. Keep the group moderated by a staff member.
13. Weekly “Welcome” coffee mornings
Create a routine opportunity for informal conversations between parents and staff.
14. Early-invite to join the P&C
Introduce the P&C to new parents and encourage their involvement even before their first day.
15. Business Directory / Community Notice Board
Create a directory board for families to encourage networking within the school community.
16. “Getting to Know You” family survey
Gather information on families’ interests and skills to facilitate involvement in school activities.
17. Welcome call from homeroom teacher
Make personal calls to new families to welcome them and establish a positive relationship from day one.
Section 3 – Showcasing values
Use these to communicate your school’s culture and ethos.
18. School culture & values video series
Share stories, traditions, and learning which helps parents and families understand the school’s ethos and values. A video-medium is a great way for this to be self-guided.
19. New family orientation night
Host a dedicated evening explaining your school’s values and introducing key staff.
20. Student and family spotlights
Highlight new families through short bios to help build connections and start conversations. This could be at a classroom-level.
21. School podcast
Launch a podcast covering updates and insights into your school’s culture and events.
22. Volunteer interest survey
Identify parents’ areas of interest for volunteering, from classroom support to event planning.
23. Welcome gift bag
Send out a gift bag as soon as a family accepts a letter of offer with school merch and a ‘what-to-expect’ guide.
Section 4 – Support systems
Ensure parents feel heard, cared for, and supported.
24. “One month to go” email
Send a reassuring message a month before their start date, offering help with any last-minute questions.
25. “Ask Me Anything” session
Hold a Q&A with the principal to address parent concerns and build rapport.
26. Support helpline
Provide a dedicated contact line or email for onboarding-related queries.
27. Monthly parent skill-building workshops
Offer sessions on topics like child development or supporting learning at home.
28. Accessibility guide
Inform parents about available resources for children with additional needs, including contacts and services preferred by the school. You may also want to include information about very support options within the school.
29. School tour
Parents might have attended a school tour during early in the enrolment journey, but bringing them back onsite for an in depth tour is a great onboarding option.
30. Support helpline for parents
Provide a dedicated contact for new parents needing assistance.
31. Cultural and language support
Offer resources and support for families from diverse backgrounds to help them integrate and feel included.
Section 5 – Building trust
Deepen connections through meaningful touchpoints.
32. Welcome call from the teacher
Teachers can personally call new families to introduce themselves and answer questions.
33. One-minute video updates
Send out short weekly videos highlighting activities or achievements.
34. “How are we doing?” check-in
Send a pulse check / survey one month in to gather feedback and show families their input matters.
35. Volunteer interest survey
Learn where parents might like to help and invite them into the school community early.
36. Highlight student work
Feature new students’ work in newsletters or on social media to celebrate their efforts.
37. One-minute video updates
Share brief weekly video updates from key staff members to highlight school activities, events, and interesting happenings.
Section 6 – Practical tools to help parents get the job done
Make practical tools accessible for every family.
38. Digital onboarding hub
Create a dedicated webpage or app section with essential resources and updates, allowing parents to access information at their own pace.
39. School app/technology training
Offer workshops or tutorials to help parents effectively use school apps and portals for accessing resources, communication, etc.
40. Yearly calendar
Distribute an easy-to-follow calendar of key school dates to keep parents organised and informed. Bonus points for this being a live, digital calendar.
41. Live parent resource library
Create a digital space for articles, videos, and other helpful content for parents.
42. Local community directory
Offer a guide for re-locators highlighting local community services, recreational facilities, and family-friendly events to help new families feel integrated into the broader community.
Take the first step toward better onboarding
Your onboarding process is your first chance to show families they’ve made the right choice. By investing in thoughtful, meaningful interactions, you’ll not only reduce friction but also create a foundation of trust, loyalty, and alignment.
Ready to transform your onboarding process?
Let’s talk about how you can implement these ideas. At Bolsta Education, we specialise in creating seamless enrolment journeys that elevate the parent experience.