SummaryHoneylands is a family support unit for families with handicapped children and is part of the National Health Service. Its services include day care, therapy and ‘on demand’ short‐term residential care. The research reported here was part of an independent evaluation of Honeylands based on interviews with parents of young handicapped children in the Exeter area. This is the first of three papers arising from these interviews and it considers in detail the experiences of 39 families who had made use of Honeylands' preschool facilities, from the initial referral onwards. Particular attention is paid to the development of the relationship between parents and staff, since this is felt to be an essential prerequisite for parents' acceptance of Honeylands' ser