Montys Nursery and Pre-school

Brighter Together

We are pleased to announce that Montys Nursery and Pre-school has launched a new programme where we have teamed up with a lovely charity called Brighter Together. This programme exemplifies the importance of strengthening community relations by way of interactive sessions of early years children with older adults (Over 65s). The emphasis is to facilitate and celebrate the positive impact the two generations have on each other.

The partnership is aimed at improving the social and emotional wellbeing of all the participants in the group (children and older people) and also supports the children's development against the Early Years Foundation stage Characteristics of effective learning. The sessions include games, stories, arts and crafts, signing nursery rhymes, snack time and talking together. Children delight in the relationships formed with older people and their development and wellbeing is enhanced from the time spent together.

Studies have shown that older people living in the community often suffer from isolation and loneliness. Taking the children into a Community Centre used by older people brings in so much joy and energy which all the participants get to benefit so much from. Having the chance to spend time with older people is also proven to have significant benefits for younger children. It helps to improve their confidence, language skills and concentration, all of which are essential skills to help them become ready for school.

Intergenerational interactions support the EYFS Framework in everyday practice such as: 

• Personal, Social and Emotional Development (Improving relationships, developing emotional wellbeing, boosting confidence and self-esteem).
• Communication and Language (Expanding vocabulary and communication skills, sharing stories and life experiences).
• Physical Development (Developing fine and gross motor skills)
• Understanding the world (Helping children understand and appreciate different lifestyles, cultures, traditions, professions and different perspectives). 
• Expressive Arts and Design (Sparking children's creativity and imagination, learning the importance of collaborations and sharing ideas when working together).
• Safeguarding (Providing a safe and inclusive environment with supervision and support for both adults and children).  

Feedback from Brighter Together's facilitator and Coordinator

 " I walked home beaming. Your children are an absolute delight, so kind and gentle with their grown up friends and so beautifully behaved"

(N- Session facilitator)

"The children were an absolute credit to your nursery, The church manager has reported back that the adult participants were incredibly happy after the session. There was joy in the whole centre. Three members of the group are living with dementia and can no longer access some of the activities they used to enjoy, but they could access the session and clearly enjoyed it. We were so impressed with the children's learning that we are looking at extention learning for each of our planned sessions"

(A - Programme Coordinator)

Statements from the children: 

"She does activities with me all the time"

"He has a funny voice. He needed more stickers but so did I. I gave him 3 and I had 3. He was happy when I looked at him"

"We made handprints. He drew. He needed help. I tried to do it and I can. I help him everytime. He is ok"