Skip to main content
All CollectionsFor GuardiansMessages and Notifications
Manage Push Notifications as a Student Contact
Manage Push Notifications as a Student Contact

[For Guardians] Learn how to receive & manage push notifications as a student contact from your child's program.

Audrey avatar
Written by Audrey
Updated over a week ago

Brightwheel will send a push notification informing a student contact that there is an update regarding a student they are associated with for them to view. Push notifications are configurable from both, the mobile device settings and from within the brightwheel app for more granular notification options.

Types of Notifications

Student contacts with Parent and Family permissions can receive push notifications for the following updates about their student:

  • Messages - New messages from staff members or administrators

  • Actions - Any activity or action that the provider has logged throughout the day, these are further configurable from within the app

  • Product Updates - Messages from brightwheel regarding important product updates, these notifications are very rare.

  • Customer Support Replies - Notifications when brightwheel’s customer support team replies to an inquiry.

  • New Customer Support Chat - Notification when brightwheel’s customer support team reaches out directly.

ℹ️ New Paperwork (Forms & Requests or Documents) shared by a program to be filled out by guardians does not result in an automatic Push Notification at this time.

From within the app, brightwheel provides additional options where student contacts can further configure their notification settings. Keep in mind that each childcare provider utilizes brightwheel in their own way, some of these actions may not be logged for students at the center.

  • Photos & Videos - Any media activities

  • Notes - General activity for providers to log activities that do not fall into the other categories

  • Check-ins - Any check-in/out record logged by any student contact

  • Messages - All messages received from any other student contact or staff member or messages between student contacts and admins only

  • Incidents, Meds & Health Checks - Any Incidents that have been logged, medication administered, or health checks that are done throughout the day

  • Food, Nap & Potty - All logged meals, start and end times for naps, and potty logs

  • Learning & Kudos - Learning observations and appreciation activities

💡 It is highly recommended that both Messages notification options remain enabled to ensure good communication between the provider and student contacts.

Badge Notifications ↓

Student contacts with Parent and Family permissions can also receive badge notifications on the app icon indicating when there is a new, unread message for their child. Once the app is opened, the badge notification will disappear.

Device Notification Settings

Android and iOS devices allow users to limit general notifications from specific applications. While the application provides more granular options. To adjust notification settings from the device itself (these steps may vary by device):

  1. Open your device Settings

  2. Tap on Apps (if an Android device)

  3. Pick brightwheel from your list of applications and tap on Notifications

  4. Toggle the Allow Notifications or All brightwheel notifications setting ON

Android Hibernation Setting

If you are using brightwheel on an Android device (Samsung or Pixel), the hibernation setting may also affect your ability to receive push notifications. We strongly recommend turning this setting OFF.

Turn off on Samsung Device

  1. Open your device Settings app

  2. Tap on Apps

  3. Pick brightwheel from your list of applications

  4. Toggle the "Remove permissions if app is unused" setting to OFF

Turn off on Pixel Device

  1. Open your device Settings

  2. Tap on Apps

  3. Pick brightwheel from your list of applications

  4. Toggle the "Pause app activity if unused" setting to OFF

App Notification Settings

Brightwheel enables student contacts to configure which activities result in a push notification. This allows them to stay engaged while limiting the number of notifications received throughout the day.

iOS App Notification Settings

Android App Notification Settings

  1. Log into the brightwheel app

  2. Tap the three horizontal lines in the top left corner, and select Edit Profile

  3. Scroll down to toggle on/off push notifications for each update type as desired

  4. Tap Save

  1. Log into the brightwheel app

  2. Tap the three horizontal lines in the top left corner, and select Settings > Notifications

  3. Scroll down to toggle on/off push notifications for each update type as desired

  4. Tap Save

ℹ️ Push Notifications default to ON when an account is created.

FAQs

I’ve ensured my app and device notifications are on, but I'm still not receiving them or they're delayed. What else can I do?

  • If using Android, turn off the hibernation setting

  • Update the brightwheel app

  • If no update is available or it doesn't help:

    • Uninstall & reinstall the app: Hold the icon > Remove App > Delete

    • Restart your device

    • Power the device Off and then after about ten seconds, power it back On

  • Check with your program to ensure the "Staff Only" setting isn't affecting visibility/notifications

  • Make sure your device has stable Wi-Fi or cell data, as poor connectivity can delay notifications

If the issue persists, contact brightwheel Support and provide your app version:

  1. Tap the three lines in the top left of the app

  2. Tap Help > About and copy the version number

Related Articles
Manage Student Contacts as a Parent
Manage Push Notifications for Staff
Messaging the Childcare Provider
Check in Students as a Guardian
Manage Student Contacts
Did this answer your question?