A guide for Nannies planning activities in older people's care homes

Thank you for your interest in uniting generations. If you're a Nanny wishing to share time and in activities with a care home or housing scheme for older people, here are some key points to consider and help you make the interaction a success for all generations.

  • Be clear about why you want to undertake joint activities and the benefits for the children and older people.
  • Discuss your wish to plan an activity with your employer to ensure they are comfortable and approve of you involving their child/children in this initiative.
  • Identify a local care home/extra care scheme in your community.  Discuss with your employer whether they have one in mind as they well have a home in mind where a friend of the family or relative lives.
  • Ensure that if you have to drive your charge to the care home that your driving insurance covers you for using for work purposes.
  • Be clear about when you would want to visit, how regularly (there needs to be some consistency) and for how long each visit (usually 45 minutes to an hour).
  • You may wish to encourage other nannies you interact with locally to get involved as a group.
  • Approach the manager of the care home/housing scheme for an initial conversation about how you can contribute. 
  • There will need to be a space where you can meet; the care home/housing scheme will need to have carers available to accompany residents if needed. You will supervise your charge and care workers around be around to help with safeguarding for all.
  • You will need to ensure that the environment where you meet is equally safe and suitable for a child,  so although you will be supervising at all times ensure you are aware of where any potential risks may be and that there is appropriate and accessible toilet facilities available.
  • Plan and agree your activity in advance.  Activities could include singing, crafts, making and playing with homemade play dough or themed to seasonal events such as Christmas or Easter, winter or spring - the list is endless.
  • Residents should want to take part by choice; all residents whatever their condition, should be included in the invitation to join in and share the experience. Initially some residents may only want to observe and may take a little time before they want to participate.  
  • The interaction between ages needs to be both child led and resident led and allow spontaneous play wherever possible.
     

The mutual benefits for young and old will become obvious as the youngsters form relationships with the older generation - when it comes to difference, children see things differently and older people will enjoy a sense of purpose. Parents will benefit from seeing their child's social skills and age awareness develop.

Keep a record of what you do, and try and record what the impact is for everyone involved.

Please let Tinies and United for all ages know how you get on.

 

 

 

 
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One of the best things about Tinies is that you guys do the parents thinking before they do. This goes further than most childcare agencies. You screen all candidates and have met them before you send them out to interview... and is a terrific selling point of your service.
Lauren, Essex