Once a month, the children at Koala Child Care Centre have a ‘senior moment’, when familiar faces from the nearby retirement village arrive. After five years, these visits have become a cherished tradition, bringing seniors and children together in a way that is mutually beneficial.
A standout among these visitors is Dilys Nicolson, a retired early childhood director with decades of experience in the ECEC sector. She taught kindergarten in the 1960s and then, after having children of her own, worked at SDN Lady McKell in Goulburn, NSW; the Department of Education in the early learning years unit; and eventually KU for 14 years before retiring.
With all that experience, it is no wonder she had a healthy scepticism about quality education before she started attending Koala Child Care Centre.
“The idea of attending Koala appealed to me very much, but I was very cautious because, having been in early childhood for many years, I didn’t know what this centre Koala was like,” Dilys explains.
“I didn’t know whether they observed the rules and regulations and all of the things that were important to me before I went into this. But then I did the homework and found out the centre had a very good reputation. An excellent one in fact. It’s a beautiful place to be. The staff and children are all treated with respect.”
Dilys was delighted to discover that Koala Child Care Centre has Exceeding National Quality Standard results across all areas. Located on the grounds of Sutherland Hospital, Koala is a community-based not-for-profit service that was established in 1989. While hospital staff are prioritised, it is also open to families in the local area.
Co-directors Fiona Black and Radha Babicci are immensely grateful to Dilys and her fellow ‘villagers’ for their continued contribution.
“Dilys has contributed to our sector for decades and continues to positively impact the lives of children and myself, even in retirement,” says Fiona. “Her profound understanding of the sector is something I will forever cherish, as she freely gives her time to enrich the lives of all those around her.”
Dilys and her friend Kevin ready for the Koala Child Care Centre Christmas Party
Emotional and social connection
The relationships built between children and seniors are more than casual visits. They are meaningful bonds that create joy and a sense of belonging. As Dilys reflects, “It’s just so lovely, because we’ve formed wonderful relationships with these children, and sometimes with their families. I love the way the children refer to us as seniors; not old people, but seniors.”
Dilys also reflects on the joy of “being in the moment” with children, whether it’s through drawing pictures or something as simple as noticing a leaf on a tree.
“The visits are such a pleasure. Often it’s sharing a moment or some information about things that are seemingly unimportant. My hope is that these conversations will stay with the children. They might even remember them for the rest of their lives.”
Dilys recalls the profound connection she felt through the simple gesture of a child holding her hand.
“Suddenly a hand came into mine,” she says. “I didn’t even see it, but that was a special moment for me, and hopefully for the child, because we connected."
Intergenerational practice
For children who may not have grandparents nearby, or whose relatives live long distances away, these interactions provide invaluable first-hand experiences of care, attention, and connection. Equally, the visits can be a health booster for the seniors who enjoy the mental stimulation and mostly, the laughter.
As Emeritus Professor Anneke Fitzgerald explains in this Compass article, intergenerational practice “creates meaningful and practical opportunities for people of all ages to learn from, support and understand one another.”
Other benefits of intergenerational practice include:
Mutual respect: Bringing generations together reduces stereotypes and builds empathy. Children learn to care for and respect seniors in a safe and nurturing environment.
Improved wellbeing: Social interaction reduces isolation and supports better mental health, as the children and seniors gain joy, connection and a sense of belonging.
Positive learning opportunities: Children develop communication, leadership and emotional skills. They also grow their understanding of older generations, music and other life skills.
Connected communities: Shared activities build belonging, purpose, stronger community ties and social support.
As Fiona notes, “By encouraging the children to have these relationships, we’re actually encouraging them to be caring and to make our environments safe for seniors… they might move a bigger seat closer or ask if the senior needs anything… and those respectful relationships will last well into their future, making them more respectful adults.”
She describes how children witness and absorb the seniors’ joy, participation, and kindness, calling these moments “pure magic.”
“The children really look forward to the hour-long visits,” says Fiona. “They ask if certain people are coming. ‘Is Mary coming today?’. They look forward to that shared time where people like Dilys can follow their play ideas and engage in those learnt experiences.”
Sharing a love of music
When the seniors visit Koala, they bring their life experience, stories, and skills, whether through music, gardening, or conversation.
One of the seniors, Kevin, emphasises the value of shared musical experiences. A retired high school teacher, Kevin plays the ukulele in a musical ensemble called the Toe Tappers.
The ensemble plays at the retirement village and visits Koala to perform, share musical instruments with the children and learn songs together, culminating in an ‘all-in’ Christmas concert at the end of the year.
“The kids are so inquisitive,” says Kevin. “There was a little bloke there last year and he’d always come up and want to engage in conversation. I said to him ‘Well you have to learn a musical instrument’ and he remembered that the next time I saw him.
“Music is the one thing no one can take away from you. Once it’s in your head, once it’s in your fingers, it doesn’t go away. It’s such a valuable and worthwhile thing for seniors to do and it’s great to share that appreciation with the children.”
Koala Co-Director Fiona Black, Dilys and members of the Toe Tappers band including Kevin on the Ukulele
The impact of these intergenerational connections is clear: with relationships, learning, and joy flowing in both directions. While the seniors share their kindness and a life of learning, the children demonstrate the value of slowing down and being present.
Is there an opportunity to incorporate intergenerational practice into your service?
Further information:
Video: Intergenerational Care Project
What makes a good program: Intergenerational practice
Research: Australian Institute for Intergenerational Practice