Introducing Our OT & Paediatric Physiotherapy Services!

Dear Families,

We’re thrilled to share some exciting news with our Tightrope Learning community!

Over time, we’ve seen a growing number of children who are bright, capable, and curious - yet need a little extra support with the foundations that sit underneath learning. At the same time, many families are facing long waitlists and barriers to accessing therapy services when concerns first arise.

In response, and in line with our strong belief in early intervention and whole-child development, we are proud to be introducing Occupational Therapy and Paediatric Physiotherapy as part of the Tightrope Learning program.

These two services work hand-in-hand to support the skills children need to feel confident, capable, and ready to learn - both in the classroom and beyond.

Occupational Therapy supports a child’s ability to participate in everyday activities such as learning, play, routines, and social interactions. This includes skills like fine motor development (pencil grip, cutting, drawing, letter formation), emotional regulation, attention, transitions, independence, sensory processing, play skills, and social confidence.

Paediatric Physiotherapy focuses on the physical foundations for movement and participation. There is a nationally recognised set of gross motor milestones children are expected to achieve before starting school, yet many children reach kindergarten without meeting all of these - often without parents realising physiotherapy can help.

Physio supports strength, balance, coordination, posture, endurance, spatial awareness, and safe, confident movement.

Many developmental challenges are subtle. Children often cope until the physical, emotional, and social demands of school increase. This can lead to fatigue, frustration, anxiety, reduced confidence, or avoidance of certain tasks or activities. Supporting these areas early can make a powerful difference to a child’s school transition, wellbeing, and long-term confidence.

By offering both Occupational Therapy and Physiotherapy within Tightrope Learning, families can access timely, targeted support in a familiar, supportive environment. Our therapists work closely with families and Tightrope educators to understand each child’s strengths and areas for growth, ensuring support is practical, personalised, and meaningful.

You may wish to explore additional support if you’ve noticed your child:

• Struggling with pencil grip, cutting, drawing, or letter formation

• Finding balance, coordination, ball skills, or playground equipment challenging

• Getting tired quickly or struggling to maintain posture

• Having difficulty with attention, emotional regulation, or transitions

• Avoiding physical play or feeling anxious during movement tasks

• Finding social situations, sharing, or turn-taking tricky

• Showing sensory sensitivities related to food, clothing, or personal care

Children do not need a diagnosis to access either service. These supports are designed for a wide range of developmental needs and are most effective when introduced early.

Families can begin with a gentle, play-based screening or assessment, which includes observation of your child, developmental screening, and parent discussion. You’ll receive clear feedback, practical recommendations, and an individualised plan, with the option to continue with ongoing support where appropriate.

We are incredibly excited about the positive impact this expansion will have on our children and families, and we’re proud to continue strengthening the foundations that support learning, confidence, and wellbeing.

If you’d like to learn more or register your interest, we warmly invite you to reach out!

Warm regards,

Mary-Ellen Rooney and The Tightrope Learning Team