What Is a Nursery Daily Diary?
A nursery daily diary is a structured way to record and share a child’s day at nursery. It often includes details such as:
- Meals and snacks
- Nappy changes or toileting
- Sleep times
- Activities and learning experiences
- Mood and behaviour observations
- Notes from caregivers or teachers
Whether physical or digital, these diaries serve as a key communication tool between nursery staff and parents.
Why Daily Diaries Matter
1. Enhances Parent Communication
Consistent updates help parents feel involved and reassured. A well-maintained daily diary builds trust and strengthens the home-nursery relationship.
2. Supports Development Tracking
By noting daily activities and behaviours, nurseries can spot patterns or developmental milestones, supporting early intervention when needed.
3. Improves Consistency in Care
Daily diaries provide a continuity of care, helping parents align routines at home with what their child experiences in the nursery.
4. Aids in Ofsted & EYFS Compliance
Detailed documentation can serve as evidence for inspections, showing how the setting monitors and supports child development.
Popular Daily Diary Templates for Nurseries
If you’re just starting or want a quick printable, these templates are a great option:
- Basic Printable Daily Diary Template
Includes meals, naps, toilet, and mood tracking. Ideal for baby rooms or younger age groups. - EYFS-Linked Diary Template
Includes areas of learning, observations, and next steps—perfect for integrating curriculum tracking. - Parent Feedback Section Template
Encourages two-way communication by leaving space for parents to comment or ask questions.
Tip: Use colour-coded sections for easier scanning, especially in busy settings.
Top Digital Daily Diary Tools for Nurseries
Manual diaries are great, but digital tools offer automation, instant communication, and secure data storage. Here are some of the best nursery diary tools:
1. Nursery In a Box
- Features: Daily diaries, child development tracking, parent app, instant updates
- Benefits: Seamless integration with other nursery systems like invoicing and attendance
- Why it’s great: All-in-one tool for busy nursery managers
2. Famly
- Features: Child logs, parent messages, photos and video sharing
- Best for: Nurseries focused on collaborative parent engagement
3. Tapestry
- Features: Observation-linked diaries, EYFS assessments, parent access
- Standout: Strong educational focus with a clean, teacher-friendly interface
4. Brightwheel
- Features: Activity logging, nappy/sleep tracking, real-time updates
- Ideal for: Nurseries looking for an intuitive mobile app solution
What to Include in a Digital Daily Diary
To keep parents informed and aligned, your digital diary should include:
- Time-stamped logs of meals, toileting, and sleep
- Learning activities and photos
- Links to EYFS or early years curriculum goals
- Mood and behaviour notes
- Space for parent replies or questions
Best Practices for Using Daily Diary Tools
- Update consistently – Parents expect daily communication.
- Personalise entries – Use names and individual observations for impact.
- Include photos and videos – Visual updates go a long way!
- Ensure privacy – Use GDPR-compliant tools with secure logins.
- Use analytics – Some platforms let you track progress over time.
Keep Parents in the Loop with the Right Tools
Daily diaries are more than a record, they’re a reflection of your nursery’s commitment to transparency, care, and partnership. Whether you’re using simple templates or advanced digital tools like Nursery In a box, what matters most is providing parents with clear, meaningful updates.
Want to explore how Nursery In a box can transform your parent communication and development tracking? Book a free demo today and see it in action.
Hannah
Marketing Manager
