Early learning centre embedded in retirement village for ultimate intergenerational experience

Untitled design - 2023-11-16T112438.025
Retirement village resident Jeannette Porritt with Montessori director Tina Yiannicou and young students. [Source: The Advertiser]

This Adelaide childcare centre is built inside a retirement village, creating a real-life version of the hit show Old People’s Home For 4 Year Olds!

As a partnership between not-for-profit aged care provider, ECH and SA Montessori, Echoes Montessori Early Learning Centre is believed to be the only one of its kind in Australia, purposefully built as an “intergenerational village” inside the ECH retirement facility.

Barbara Langford and her daughter Jessica operate the learning facility and said since it’s establishment in early 2022, the benefits have been huge.

“Things are happening every day […] children will daily wave and call out to residents on their balconies or meet them in the garden,” Ms Langford told The Advertiser.

Watch more about the intergenerational initiative!

Echoes Montessori is partnering with Torrens University on a research project to investigate how the concept could be broadened and incorporated in future community planning.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

Call For More Training for Aged Care Workers in ACT

The lack of qualifications and skills in aged care staff has been a concern of residents, their families and staff all around Australia. This concern has become so serious that consumers in ACT have taken action. Health Care Consumers ACT have put in a submission to a senate inquiry on the aged care workforce. Their... Read More

Aged Care After Death

Submitted by Anonymous People die in aged care almost everyday across Australia. Most of them have lived long and full lives. And regardless of how unwell or how old they may have been, it will understandably be a very difficult time for the families when the time comes. It’s a part of life and ageing... Read More

Attracting Younger Staff to Aged Care

Aged care is a growing industry. Australia’s ageing population means there is a greater need for more aged care facilities. In 2015-16 alone, there were 949 residential care providers who operated 195,825 places. And that number is expected to grow. With more and more facilities opening, this also a demand for more staff, in particular... Read More
Advertisement