Starting Life As A Small Friend
Settling In: Our Gentle Transition Period
Whether your Small Friend is 2 or 5 years old, we begin every journey with a gentle transition period — giving each child the time and support they need to feel safe, confident, and connected in our world. Every child is different, and we honour that by letting them lead the way.
Some children feel more comfortable starting with shorter days as they build trust and familiarity, while others are ready for longer sessions right from the start. However your Small Friend finds their rhythm, we’re here to walk alongside them — with patience, empathy, and care.
During my transition period, I might…
Start feeling happy and confident in a busy, shared space where we all play and learn together — inside the house and out in the backyard.
Feel OK being away from my family, knowing I can always go to my educators when I need comfort, help, or just a moment of connection.
Express my needs and wants — using my voice, gestures, or any way that works for me.
Play alongside Small Friends of all ages — learning from others whether they’re 2 or 5.
Explore and enjoy all the inspiring learning spaces around the house and backyard.
Join in one Chat Time during my session — it might be Story Time, Music, or What’s On This Week.
Begin to feel comfortable without my comforters — when I’m ready.
Share mealtimes with my educators and friends — connecting, chatting, and enjoying food together.
My Small Friend Needs Help With…
Even if your Small Friend is still developing their speech or has limited verbal language, please know they are in a place where communication is celebrated in all its forms. We’ve seen so many children bloom in our world — growing in confidence as they play to learn and learn to play alongside others.
We often say the best teachers in our house are the children themselves — our Small Friends show each other what being a social, communicative little human is all about, every single day.
We’re always happy to work alongside your child’s Speech Therapist and can implement strategies or plans you're using at home to support their development. If assistive communication will help your Small Friend feel more confident and included, we’re open to using tools and Key Word Signing — with guidance and support from your therapist.
At the heart of our philosophy is the belief that every one of our Small Friends should grow into a confident social being — not just at school, but in life. We understand that every child is unique in how they connect with others, and that social confidence looks different for everyone.
Our environment and program are thoughtfully designed to support social development through play. We honour each child’s individual journey, nurturing their independent play while gently encouraging both parallel and shared play experiences. With time, support, and meaningful relationships, even the most reserved child finds their voice and their place within our Small Friends community.
We’re here to help with this important part of childhood — as long as there are plenty of spare clothes and nappies in your Small Friends’s school bag, we’ve got you covered!
If you’re using particular strategies at home that are working well, we’d love to hear about them. We’ll do our best to support your approach so your Small Friend feels comfortable, confident, and supported when heading to the bathroom.
All of our Small Friends use our specially sized Little People toilets throughout the day. To maintain consistency and hygiene, we don’t allow potties from home to be brought into the service.
We’re very mindful that a full day can feel long for our Small Friends, so creating calm, restful moments is an important part of our rhythm. After lunch at 12:30pm, we have a dedicated Rest and Relax time. Each child finds a pillow and a comfy space in our quiet room, where soft music plays and a peaceful ambience helps everyone unwind.
Many of our Small Friends gently drift off to sleep, while others simply enjoy the chance to rest and reset. For our older Small Friends who no longer need a sleep, we offer a quiet story time or mindfulness session to support their emotional regulation and give their bodies a chance to slow down.
Our team brings years of experience supporting children with a wide range of personalities, strengths, and developmental needs. This gives us the confidence and understanding to work alongside families in nurturing each child’s confidence and independence within our Small Friends house.
We warmly encourage you to chat with us about any concerns you may have. We’re here to listen, support, and work together in the best interests of your Small Friend.
A Note For My Family
We’re always here to chat about how your Small Friend is going and whether our Small Friends world is the right fit for them. Whether it’s at drop-off, pick-up, or over the phone — we’re just a conversation away.
In our world, it’s not only important that our Small Friends have a smile on their dial… but that the Big People in their lives do too!
We look forward to seeing you soon -:- Small Friends Team