Nursery children's visits to care home are 'highlight of the week' for residents

Children at a nursery in Cheshire and residents at a nearby care home have struck up an unlikely friendship, breaking down barriers between young and old.

Bright Horizons nursery staff contacted the care home, suggesting a visit after being inspired by a viral video showing daily interactions between a nursery and a care home, which operate out of the same building in Seattle in the US.

It was found that residents from the Seattle care home tended to be more optimistic, have larger social networks and better memories, and take better care of themselves, than residents of other homes which had no contact with young children.

The children also benefitted from the extra attention and from learning about ageing and disabilities.

These findings have been echoed by this new partnership between Bright Horizons Timperley Day Nursery and Preschool and Allingham House with care home manager, Gulzar Nazir, commenting how “happy and animated” the residents are when the children visit the home.

They now visit Allingham House on a weekly basis, where they chat and sing to the residents and play games such as skittles with them.

The nursery’s most recent visit where they sang Christmas carols to the residents, was filmed by ITV News.

Gulzar Nazir said ‘It is a pleasure to open our doors to the children of Bright Horizon’s Nursery. The joy and excitement the children bring on their visits to see our residents has become the highlight of our week and you can see the positive stimulation it creates for all of our dementia residents by giving them something back from their past.”

The children also benefit from the visits, according to pre-school room leader, Amy Johnston, who called it an “amazing experience”.

She believes it is helping the children to “develop mutual respect for others from a young age”.

She has also found it has helped boost the children’s confidence and enhances their social and emotional development as well as having a “calming effect”.

Dylan who attends Timperley Day Nursery said the visits to the home make him “feel happy”. He added: “I like going to play at Allingham House”.

Allingham House Care Home, part of the Maria Mallaband Care Group, is located in Timperley, Altrincham and offers residential, nursing and dementia care for 86 residents, across three floors.

click here for more details or to contact Allingham House Care Centre