Two Open Days in My New Playroom: Welcoming Families, Friends and Professionals

Opening the door to a new space is a big moment. You can plan the layout, choose the toys, arrange the shelves and make every corner feel ready, but it only truly comes alive when people step inside.

This week, I held two open days in my new playroom, and it was such a lovely experience from start to finish. It gave me the chance to welcome families, meet children, catch up with old colleagues and friends, and speak with professionals who understand the value of play, care and connection.

There was a real mix of familiar faces and new ones. Some people came to see the room for the first time. Others came to offer support, encouragement and kind words. Children explored, adults asked thoughtful questions, and the room began to feel less like a newly finished space and more like a place with a purpose.

Opening the door made everything feel real

There is something special about preparing a room and then finally sharing it.

Before the open days, the playroom had all the practical things in place. The toys had been chosen with care. The books were ready. The space had been arranged so children could move around, reach things easily and choose what interested them. There were areas for quieter play, creative play, imaginative play and moments of calm.

Still, a room can feel waiting until it is used.

As soon as the first visitors arrived, the atmosphere changed. Coats came off, children looked around, and conversations began. Some children went straight towards the toys. Others took their time, staying close to their grown-ups at first before moving towards something that caught their eye.

That first sense of curiosity was lovely to watch.

A playroom should never feel like a showroom. It should feel safe, warm and usable. It should invite children in rather than ask them to perform. During the open days, I saw the room doing exactly what I hoped it would do. It gave children space to look, choose, touch, try and return.

For me, that was one of the most reassuring parts of the week. The room did not need to be explained too much. Children understood it in their own way.

Meeting children in the space was the highlight

One of the best parts of the two open days was meeting the children.

Children bring honesty into a room. They notice things adults miss. They test a space by using it naturally. They show you what feels inviting, what feels interesting and what helps them settle.

Some children were drawn to books. Some wanted to explore small-world toys. Some watched quietly before joining in. Some moved quickly from one thing to another, enjoying the freedom to see what was available. Each response was useful and meaningful.

It was also a reminder that children do not all enter a new space in the same way. Some need time. Some need reassurance. Some need to know where their grown-up is. Some are ready to play within minutes.

That is why the feel of a playroom matters so much. It should not be overwhelming. It should give children choices without flooding them with too much at once. It should support independence while still feeling calm and contained.

During the open days, I was able to see how children responded to the layout and the resources. More than that, I was able to meet them as individuals, even if only briefly. Their expressions, questions and choices gave the room its real test.

A new playroom comes to life through play, and this week I had the joy of seeing that begin.

Conversations with families felt thoughtful and encouraging

The open days were also a chance to talk properly with families.

A written description can only say so much. Photos help, but they do not give the full feeling of a space. Being able to stand in the room together, talk through how it may be used and answer questions face to face made a real difference.

Families wanted to know about the feel of the space, the kinds of activities available and how children might be supported. Those conversations mattered because they were not only about the room itself. They were about trust.

When families visit a new setting, they are often looking for more than neat shelves and nice toys. They are looking for signs that their child will be seen, understood and cared for. They want to know that the space has been thought through, but also that it can flex around real children with real needs, moods and personalities.

I appreciated every question, every comment and every moment of conversation. Some discussions were practical. Others were more personal. All of them helped me share why the playroom has been created in the way it has.

I also loved seeing families watch their children explore. Sometimes a parent or carer can learn a lot simply by observing what their child is drawn to in a new environment. Those little moments of noticing can be powerful.

A child reaching for a familiar type of toy.

A child pausing at a book.

A child smiling when they find something they recognise.

A child slowly gaining confidence as the visit goes on.

Those moments say a great deal.

Old faces brought warmth and encouragement

Another lovely part of the week was seeing old faces.

Welcoming people who have known me in different stages of my work and life made the open days feel especially meaningful. Some had been colleagues. Some were friends. Some had supported the journey in quiet but important ways.

When you create something new, it can feel exciting and vulnerable at the same time. You make decisions, often in small details, and hope they add up to something that feels right. Having people visit who understand the care behind the work brought a real sense of encouragement.

Old colleagues bring a particular kind of support. They know the standards behind the scenes. They understand the planning, the emotional work and the thought that goes into creating a space for children and families. Their reflections meant a great deal.

Friends brought warmth too. Sometimes a smile at the door or a kind comment about the room can settle the nerves more than anything else. Their presence reminded me that new beginnings are rarely built alone.

The open days were not only about showing people a new place. They were also about recognising the relationships that have shaped the journey to this point.

That felt very special.

Welcoming professionals added another layer of meaning

It was also wonderful to welcome professionals into the new playroom.

People who work with children and families often look at a space with a different kind of eye. They notice access, tone, flow, safety, resources and the small details that shape how a child might feel. Speaking with professionals gave me a chance to explain the thinking behind the room, but also to listen.

Those conversations were valuable because they connected the space to wider practice. A playroom is not only about toys. It is about relationships, communication, observation and emotional safety. It is about creating the conditions where children can express themselves, build confidence and feel secure enough to explore.