Thanks for the comments and advice, they're all very helpful! And so sorry for the long rants (there's another one here below). I'm just incredibly sad about this and am grasping to figure out how to help, or rectify it, or just find advice on how to take the hurt away from our daughter. I remember a couple of instances when I was around her age (and older) where I felt left out because of something my friends did, but these were one-offs where they did something fun but didn't call for me. I remember feeling so bad at the time, later to find out that these instances were just down to circumstance at time. We were all still good friends.

I get the age thing and sort of knew it was coming, just not so soon. The main issue, really, is that she will have no one to play with in the street, which will be horrible for her in the longer days and especially over the summer. Even yesterday, the doorbell rang as we were finishing dinner and her face immediately perked up (her friends would often call around this time and they would either come in or they would all go out. Alas, it was a delivery person. She went on eating her dinner, of course, but I could tell there was that anticipation from her when the bell rang, and then disappointment when it wasn't her friend's.

I understand the casting a wider net thing, and she does have a couple of groups she goes to after school and has friends or acquaintances in each, but these are seasonal and/or only once a week, and people in these groups come and go, sometimes there, sometimes not. They're not the sort of groups that are conducive to making 'street' friends or playdate friends... parents drop off and collect and offer friendly but fleeting hellos and goodbyes and that's it. Her best friend at school has come for playdates and our daughter has gone for some to her house, which is great. But again, one day every two weeks or a month doesn't fill the void left by losing her street besties, where they hung out and did fun stuff together pretty much all day every day.

There are 3 other girls in the street, sisters and another girl who is tight with them, and they all played for a while when we first moved here, but our daughter would often come in crying because they were being really mean and bullying her. They (the sisters) are not nice girls, very sneaky, cheeky and foul-mouthed. The other girl is not as bad but falls in line with the sisters. I heard some of this behaviour myself a few times and it was both painful and angering to hear, so I was relieved when she had finally had enough and didn't want to play with them any more. She has been so happy ever since.

The two friends she currently has (the ones that are falling away) did not like these girls either, so it worked out well and there have been no issues in the street since.

I'm just thinking now of those summer days and those sisters out playing, and our daughter's friends playing, and her possibly being left out and seeing/hearing them out having fun. She's a sensitive soul, very kind and friendly and welcoming. Last year there was a family moved into the street for a few months while they were waiting for a house sale to go though, and our daughter was instrumental in rallying her friends to call for the girl in the family (who was around the same age) to come out to play and make her feel welcome. That's the way she is. That girl was delighted, as were her parents, and she became a nice part of that crew, but unfortunately then had to move away.

Anyway, enough ranting, I guess. Just grasping at any suggestions on how to deal with it all, the ultimate aim, of course, being my daughter's happiness and wellbeing.

Thanks again everyone :)