There are many transitions that children experience before they are five, including the first major transition from home to an early years setting. Successive changes can have a serious impact on young children and stress, separation and insecure attachments can affect not only a child's emotional health but also cognitive and intellectual development.

Featuring new material on provision for two year olds, school readiness, and families and transitions, this thought-provoking text explains why transitions matter and provides practical guidance on how to support young children's...