Resources At
Little Grove
Resources for Families & Educators
Practical, evidence-guided information to support children’s health, development and wellbeing — at home and in early learning settings.
Parents and educators often have questions between visits. This resource hub brings together trusted guidance and clear next steps — so you can feel confident about what’s typical, what to watch, and when to seek support.
Common Concerns We Support
If you’re wondering about something, you’re not alone.
Many families come to us with questions that feel big in the moment. Below are some of the most common concerns we support. Each section links to a detailed blog article for further reading.
Sleep
Sleep difficulties are common in early childhood and often change over time.
We commonly support:
- Difficulty settling
- Frequent night waking
- Early rising
- Sleep regressions
- Transitioning from cot to bed
Our approach
We focus on practical, developmentally appropriate strategies that support regulation and attachment — not rigid routines.
Feeding & Nutrition
Eating patterns vary widely in young children. Mealtime stress and growth concerns are common reasons families seek guidance.
We commonly support:
- Fussy or selective eating
- Mealtime resistance
- Growth concerns
- Introducing solids
- Food allergies and intolerances
Our approach
We assess growth patterns, developmental readiness and family context, then provide realistic strategies that reduce stress and support healthy development.
Asthma, Eczema & Allergies
Asthma, eczema and allergies often overlap. Early, consistent management reduces flare-ups and emergency presentations.
We commonly support:
- Asthma action plan understanding
- Inhaler and spacer technique
- Identifying eczema triggers
- Food allergy and anaphylaxis plans
- Reducing flare-ups in early learning settings
Our approach
We work collaboratively with families, GPs and educators to ensure management plans are clear and confidently followed.
Behaviour & Emotional Regulation
Behaviour is communication.
Most challenging behaviours reflect developing regulation skills, not intentional defiance.
We commonly support:
- Frequent tantrums
- Difficulty with transitions
- Emotional outbursts
- Social conflict
- Impulsivity
Our approach
We consider developmental stage, attachment, sensory factors and environment, then provide practical strategies for home and early learning settings.
Toileting & Continence
Toilet training looks different for every child.
We commonly support:
- Toilet training readiness
- Constipation
- Withholding behaviours
- Daytime wetting
- Bedwetting
Our approach
We assess readiness and physical contributors, and provide clear, pressure-free guidance.
Growth & General Health Concerns
You may not have a specific concern — just a sense something isn’t quite right.
We commonly support:
- Concerns about weight or height
- Frequent minor illness
- Recurrent infections
- Appetite changes
- General uncertainty
Our approach
We assess growth using validated charts, review medical history, and determine whether reassurance, monitoring or further investigation is appropriate.
Developmental Concerns
Parents are often the first to notice when something feels different.
We commonly support:
- Delayed speech or language
- Motor skill concerns
- Social interaction differences
- Attention difficulties
- School readiness questions
Our approach
We combine parent insight, structured screening tools and clinical assessment to provide clarity and next steps. Where needed, we coordinate shared care with GPs, Nurse Practitioners, allied health professionals and paediatricians.
Understanding Your Child’s Development
Every child develops at their own pace. Milestones are guides — not deadlines. They help us notice strengths and identify when extra support may be helpful.
Below are examples of skills children develop over time. These are not checklists, but helpful indicators of growth and learning.
Gross & Fine Motor Skills
- Sitting, crawling and walking
- Running, climbing and jumping
- Holding crayons, using scissors
- Feeding and dressing independently
Communication
- Responding to their name
- Following simple instructions
- Using words to express needs
- Combining words into short sentences
Social & Emotional Development
- Making eye contact
- Playing alongside and with others
- Showing a range of emotions
- Beginning to manage frustration
Early Learning Skills
- Recognising colours and shapes
- Listening to stories
- Counting small groups of objects
- Showing curiosity
How We Assess Development
We combine parent insight, structured screening tools and clinical observation. No single checklist tells the whole story — it’s the combination that gives us clarity.
Ages & Stages Questionnaire (ASQ)
A parent-completed developmental screening tool.
Assesses:
- Communication
- Gross motor
- Fine motor
- Problem solving
- Personal-social
Helps us decide whether reassurance, monitoring or further assessment is needed.
Brigance Early Childhood Screen
A structured screening tool used by health and education professionals.
Assesses:
- Language
- Early literacy and numeracy
- Motor skills
- Self-help skills
Provides a clear snapshot of development, particularly for school readiness.
Brigance IED III Standardised Inventory
A comprehensive, individually administered standardised assessment used when deeper clarification is required.
Assesses:
- Receptive and expressive language
- Early literacy
- Early numeracy
- Fine motor and visual-motor skills
- Academic readiness
- Social and adaptive functioning
As a standardised assessment, it allows structured comparison with age expectations.
Used alongside parent insight, educator observation (with consent) and clinical assessment to guide clear next steps.
Health & Development Checks at Your Centre
Our nurses visit early learning centres each term to provide comprehensive health and developmental checks in a familiar setting.
Checks may include:
- Growth assessment
- Developmental screening
- Vision and hearing observation
- Skin, respiratory and general health review
- Oral health guidance
- Parent follow-up plan
Parents are welcome to attend. If work commitments prevent this, we provide clear written feedback and follow-up options.
Our team includes:
- Enrolled Nurses with paediatric expertise
- Registered Nurses with postgraduate qualifications in Child and Family Health
- Nurse Practitioners in paediatrics and primary health care
- GPs and allied health professionals
- Shared-care partnerships with paediatricians
For Educators
We support educators on site — with parent consent — to understand what we are observing in children who may need extra support.
Our role is to strengthen educator confidence, not replace professional judgement.
We provide:
- Informal conversations about observations
- Practical strategies for regulation and learning
- Clear explanations of what may need monitoring
- Tailored education sessions for teams
Education Sessions
We offer structured sessions on:
- Developmental red flags
- Emotional regulation
- Communication development
- Managing asthma, allergies and eczema
- Partnering effectively with families
What Makes Us Different
We sit in the space between “everything is fine” and “we need a specialist now.”
Families come to us for reassurance, early support and a clear plan. Our model reduces unnecessary appointments by keeping care coordinated, practical and centred on the child’s everyday world.
We are a safe place for growth — warm, capable care guided by evidence and focused on what helps next.
When to Seek Urgent or Emergency Care
Most childhood illnesses can be safely managed at home. However, some symptoms require urgent medical care.
Call 000 or attend your nearest Emergency Department if your child:
- Has severe difficulty breathing Is unconscious or very hard to wake
- Is having a seizure
- Has a severe allergic reaction
- Has blue or pale skin
- Has serious injury or uncontrolled bleeding
Seek urgent care the same day if your child:
- Has worsening breathing symptoms Shows signs of dehydration
- Has severe pain
- Has high fever and appears very unwell
- Has suspected fracture
If unsure:
- Call Healthdirect on 1800 022 222
- Use the online symptom checker
- Locate your nearest Medicare Urgent Care Clinic
Trust your instincts. If something doesn’t feel right, seek advice.
