An intergenerational learning centre will open at Uniting AgeWell’s Andrew Kerr Care facility in Mornington, Victoria, in November.

Dubbed “The Herd”, the childcare centre will serve 66 preschoolers, and aims to bring children together with older Australians under the same roof. Children and aged care residents will come together five days a week for activities such as art, music, and storytelling.

The Victorian Government last year pledged $500,000 to the project, with Minister for Early Childhood Ingrid Stitt saying it would help children learn from people two or three generations older than them, while also giving seniors the chance to engage in physical activity and benefit from frequent social interaction.

“We are investing in the early years to ensure our children have the best educational start to life.

“The Intergenerational Learning Centre will enable our elderly and youngest people to connect and learn from each other to provide a unique approach to care and education,” she said.

Victoria has two other intergenerational facilities in the pipeline, both by TLC, in Mordialloc and Ivanhoe; the latter has come under fire from local residents for its size.