In Victorian London foundlings Hetty Feather and Gideon Smeed are fostered by the Cotton family until the age of five when they are taken to the foundling hospital, run by the austere Matron Bottomly and separated into different wings for boys and girls. Having sworn that she would look after Gideon Hetty makes efforts to see him, meeting Mathias, an older boy who looks after Gideon and who plans to escape and run away to sea. Hetty helps Mathias craft a letter to the man who will facilitate this and plans to join him and other boys in an escape attempt. However, thanks to the She-Mob, a group of nasty girls who seek to ingratiate themselves with Matron, she fails to join the escapees. Following the discovery that three boys have gone the hospital is subject to an even harsher regime.

It is open day at the Foundling Hospital. Hetty sees Madame Adeline there and thinks she could be her real mother, but Matron tasks Hetty with looking after Lord Upton's snooty daughter Charlotte. When it transpires that Matron has plans to send Hetty to India as Charlotte's maid, it seems Hetty's days as a foundling could be coming to an end. Will she ever find her mother again?

When Floss has to do the vacuuming. she ruins a picture that Tyler, Billie and Toni work on when they don't want her help. Floss falls asleep on the sofa and ends up in the Foundling Hospital. She encounters Hetty Feather, who introduces Floss to the Foundling Hospital ways. Sheila and Elizabeth are mean towards Floss and Hetty gets Floss out of trouble with Matron Bottomly. Floss and Hetty make friends. When Floss wakes up, she draws a replacement picture.

Hetty risks getting into serious trouble with Matron when she makes a desperate promise.

Hetty is shocked when a wealthy couple want to adopt one of her friends.

Hetty is determined to discover what secret Matron is hiding in the basement.

A tragic accident brings Hetty and Sheila together to find the truth.

Hetty receives some news that makes her want to escape. After successfully doing so Hetty learns just how dangerous the streets of London can be.

A street girl breaks into the hospital. Not wanting her to get into trouble, Hetty decides to disguise her as a foundling. However the Matron is on the prowl and wants the girl found at all costs.

Vince blackmails Nurse Winterson so he can get special treatment. Meanwhile Hetty learns of a daring visit some of the foundlings are planning.

Hetty tries to help Nurse Winterson, but her help ends up landing an innocent man with the label of being a thief.

Hetty tries to learn what Matron has planned for her. Meanwhile a fight amongst the boys gets out of hand when it spreads to some special visitors.

It's Hetty's and everyone else's last day at the foundling hospital and everyone will be moving on and Matron appears to have special ideas for Hetty – she locks her in the cellar. But Gideon and Sheila find he and rescue her. When everyone finds out that Matron did this, they call for the police to arrest her but she escapes. Hetty decides to go to posh Calendar Hall with Sheila and Gideon and brings Matron's book with her. Harriet and Matthias go to New York.

Absent: George Calendar

Hetty begins a new life at Calendar Hall and is prepared to become a maid there. Meanwhile, Matron, now on the run, plots how to find Hetty and get her book back. Hetty, Sheila and Gideon meet their housekeeper and maids : Agnes, Lady Whittock and Jack. They also meet Rosamund- Lady of Calendar hall, George and children: Emily, Edwin and Constance.

Hetty and Gideon try to rescue a kidnapped girl but comes face-to-face with Matron which ends with Matron going to prison. Hetty visits her Mum.

Last Appearance: Matron Bottomly

Hetty discovers an explosive secret from Rosamund Calendar- she lost a baby years ago called Charles who she believes Matron may know of while Gideon fears he caused Edwin's life-threatening accident. Rosamund gives birth to another baby who she names William. New housekeeper Brodie arrives at Calendar Hall.

A new arrival at the Hall threatens Agnes and Sheila's jobs while Gideon falls out with Emily. Sheila struggles looking after Constance.

Hetty steels herself to face her old enemy, while Lady Grenford introduces the family to her handsome young grandson, Robert.

Hetty and Gideon are shocked when a figure from their past turns up unexpectedly, while Lizzie is terrified by the story of a savage wolf boy on the grounds.

An accident in the kitchen forces Sheila to choose between loyalty to the cook and her own ambition, while Jack is stunned to discover the identity of a thief.

Hetty fights to reunite Rosamund with her long lost son, while Lady Grenford will stop at nothing to force Emily and Robert's engagement.

Last Appearance: Mrs Brody

Hetty and the gang play a prank on Sheila, but it has disastrous consequences when a young Indian visitor named Ashok with a secret arrives to stay at Calendar Hall, Sheila gets angry at him, which leads to her getting sacked.

Departed: Sheila Ormsby

Returned: Rosamund Calendar, William Calendar, Constance Calendar and Edwin Calendar

Jack has a romantic proposal in mind, but a new butler named Ambrose and his daughter Flo spells trouble for the gang, his romantic news is put on hold while Ashok reveals his secret – there's a priceless diamond, rightfully his, hidden in Calendar Hall. And Hetty gets a letter from Harriet asking her to join her in New York. Will she go?

The gang follow clues as they search for the Dawn Star- the priceless diamond, not realising that Ambrose is looking for it, too. Rosamund surprises everyone when she brings Lady Greenford back to Calendar Hall.

The gang finally discover the Dawn Star at the same time Lady Greenford, Ambrose and Flo do and when Lady Greenford realises it's stolen, she accuses Hetty of it and calls the police to arrest her. The gang help her to escape and eventually she does and goes on the run.

Hetty, on the run in London, is quickly brought to the workhouse where she discovers Sheila. Sheila helps her to escape from there. Meanwhile, the gang discover Ambrose has the dawn star. They gain a plan to prove Hetty innocent and Ambrose the real thief.

Hetty meets the gang and they go back to Calendar Hall and stop at nothing to prove Ambrose the real thief. Eventually, Ambrose gets arrested, they re-discover the dawn star and give it to Ashok and Ashok leaves for India with it. Hetty decides she won't go join Harriet in New York.

Hetty comes up with a plan to get Sheila reinstated for Christmas, but when the street gang steals the food meant for the poor at church everyone gets separated. In the end tons of problems arise which might make it where the gang can't make it home for Christmas.

Note: Matron Bottomly returns for this episode

Hetty is held captive by Matron Bottomly and the street gang, Gideon tries to figure out how to help Sheila escape the workhouse, and Rosamund and Lady Grenford are in prison for looking poor. Seeing no other choice Jack and Agnes begin searching the streets hoping to help everyone make it back to Calendar Hall.

Note: Matron Bottomly returns for this episode

Returned: George Calendar

Absent: William Calendar

Hetty is dismissed when George blames her for insulting Rosamund, who has died in childbirth.

Last Appearance: Rosamund Calendar

Hetty meets Matron living on the streets, while Mathias' reunion with the gang threatens his wedding to Harriet. Meanwhile, George plans to send his children away and return to India.

Returned: Matron Bottomly, Walter Brittle, Ned, Judd Mortimer, Donald Cranbourne and Nurse Macclesfield

Hetty saves Matron from a street gang and Constance runs away to find Hetty. Mathias swears his love for Harriet, while Hetty is forced to return to Calendar Hall before she can move on.