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Yes, I agree there are alot of differing approaches on this forum between all the providers. Some choose to run their businesses as being a part of their whole family...sharing on social network sites, BBQ'ing together, inviting and attending kids' birthday parties, etc. Others run their businesses as ONLY a business and never let any thing from their personal or business lives mix or overlap. That is the beauty of being self employed I guess.
However, in this particular case the OP is mandated by her licensing laws to do a family newletter so she has no choice. Whether she agrees with the idea or not.
It is nice that you are able to run your business as you do with such an open line of communication that you do not have the need or rules telling you that you must do a newletter. Again, that is what works for you. Which is super! You are lucky enough to have found parents that have the same needs and ideas about child care that you do.
With that being said, it isn't fair for you to assume however, that just because some providers choose to use Facebook or newletters or do photos or whatever, that they are NOT focusing on the children. Perhaps these providers are actually doing double duty and focusing on BOTH the children AND the parents. Which is fantastic that they are able offers such a wide area of service to families.
Caring for children does not require knowledge of ONLY what happens during the day on your watch but it includes knowing and celebrating the whole child. This means the child's life in and out of care and ALL the people in his/her life. This is responsive and respectable care.
I think unregistered posters sometimes get unnecessary flack when they post on this board but please try to re-read what you wrote and see how it came across as accusatory (as if provider's are focusing on something other than the children) and how if you have a ligitimate question or comment, it can be said in a more positve manner. Working with young children, you should be well versed on how to say things in an understanding, non-judgemental and non-biased manner.
However, in this particular case the OP is mandated by her licensing laws to do a family newletter so she has no choice. Whether she agrees with the idea or not.
It is nice that you are able to run your business as you do with such an open line of communication that you do not have the need or rules telling you that you must do a newletter. Again, that is what works for you. Which is super! You are lucky enough to have found parents that have the same needs and ideas about child care that you do.
With that being said, it isn't fair for you to assume however, that just because some providers choose to use Facebook or newletters or do photos or whatever, that they are NOT focusing on the children. Perhaps these providers are actually doing double duty and focusing on BOTH the children AND the parents. Which is fantastic that they are able offers such a wide area of service to families.
Caring for children does not require knowledge of ONLY what happens during the day on your watch but it includes knowing and celebrating the whole child. This means the child's life in and out of care and ALL the people in his/her life. This is responsive and respectable care.
I think unregistered posters sometimes get unnecessary flack when they post on this board but please try to re-read what you wrote and see how it came across as accusatory (as if provider's are focusing on something other than the children) and how if you have a ligitimate question or comment, it can be said in a more positve manner. Working with young children, you should be well versed on how to say things in an understanding, non-judgemental and non-biased manner.
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I usually put my themes for the month, birthdays of kids and how old they'll be, important notes for parents, and since I am totally re-doing my daycare, I'm totally re-doing my newsletter this month too. I am adding a craft section every month, and am also putting my...well, I guess Marvelous Milestones back in. The newsletter looks different, so maybe parents will look at it. I put a secret sentence in the middle of one of my little article things 2 months ago. Something like "Mention this sentence before Aug 1 and get a free day of child care in the month of August." and only got TWO parents' responses. I then posted it on Facebook, and several asked me about it. Too late then of course, but I felt good letting them know that reading the newsletter sometimes LITERALLY pays! 
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