Introduction

In a landmark new series for 2005, BBC THREE will create television's first ever toddler sanctuary - a place where parents at the end of their tether can retreat with their children, aged 18 months and upwards.

Clinical psychologist Dr Tanya Byron will be at the helm, giving the residents of the house the professional advice that proved to be so effective when dealing with the troublesome toddlers in BBC THREE's Little Angels.

The doors of the sanctuary will open for one month to families seeking solace.

Parents' grievances will range from their little darlings not sleeping or eating properly to terrible tantrums.

With Tanya's help and advice, will they be able to solve problems that they have never been able to crack before? It will be a dramatic journey, as under Tanya's watchful eye the families encounter different parenting approaches used by the other families in residence.

Presenter Claudia Winkleman will be guiding the audience through the daily events.

This production has been put together with the collaboration of an ethics committee made up of child-focussed experts.

Dr Tanya Byron is a consultant clinical psychologist and has worked in the NHS for 15 years and has a great deal of experience of working and teaching in many areas of mental health and psychology.

Tanya specialises in child and adolescent mental health - where she treats children and teenagers with psychological, emotional and behavioural difficulties such as problems with aggression, sleeping or eating.

She has two young children of her own.

Tanya's Little Angels book will be published in the spring.

Tanya says, "This series gives me a unique opportunity as a practitioner to experience what happens to families once they leave the consulting room and to continue working with them.

"I love the thought of all the families living together, giving each other help and support."

This is an Outline Productions and BBC Format Entertainment Production for BBC THREE.