Monday 22nd June

At our new outdoor site, the children have been busy developing an exciting small world area, creating opportunities for imaginative play, creativity, and collaboration. As part of this project, we were delighted to work alongside our older friends at the care village to design and build a unique wooden town together.

The project began with conversations and shared ideas between the children and the residents. Together, they explored different pieces of wood, discussing what each shape and size could become. Through careful selection and teamwork, the children and older adults worked side by side to create a thriving town filled with character and imagination.

Using the wooden pieces, they designed and built a variety of structures, including houses, blocks of flats, roads, train tracks, and trains. Each creation reflected the ideas and contributions of both generations, with everyone playing an important role in bringing the town to life.

Monday 8th June

The children and their older friends have had a wonderful day together, focusing on developing their concentration and observation skills. Throughout the day, they showed great enthusiasm and engagement in all activities.

One of our main activities involved the children and adults drawing portraits of one another. They carefully observed their friends, paying close attention to features such as hair colour, facial expressions and other individual characteristics. This encouraged them to concentrate and think carefully about the details they could see.

We were also fortunate to have beautiful weather, which allowed us to spend plenty of time outdoors enjoying our lovely grounds. The children took part in a variety of games and activities, making the most of the fresh air and open space.

These outdoor experiences encouraged teamwork, communication and friendship-building between the children and their older friends. It has been a fantastic day of learning, creativity and fun and we look forward to another exciting week ahead.

Monday 11th May

Today was a very busy and exciting day here at Winton Court, filled with learning, creativity, and some very special visitors!

We started the morning by introducing our adorable baby ducklings to our older friends. Everyone was excited to meet them and watch them explore their new surroundings. There were lots of smiles as residents enjoyed seeing the ducklings play, and some even had the opportunity to gently hold them. It was a wonderful experience that evoked some wonderful memories for our friends.

Later in the day, we welcomed Lydia from Groundworks, who delivered an engaging session all about recycling and sustainability. Lydia taught us about the importance of recycling and showed us how everyday household items can be reused in creative ways instead of being thrown away.

Working together, we transformed plastic bottles into beautiful plant pots. Everyone enjoyed getting involved, sharing ideas, and creating their own unique designs. It was fantastic to see so much creativity and teamwork throughout the activity.

Wednesday 20th May

This week, we were thrilled to welcome Humbleswood Farm to the care village for a very special animal visit. There was a real buzz of excitement throughout the day as both the children and residents eagerly anticipated meeting their furry guests. As soon as the goats and beautiful Shetland ponies arrived, everyone gathered outside with smiles on their faces, ready to meet some new four-legged friends.

The animals quickly won everyone over with their gentle nature and friendly personalities. Everyone enjoyed spending time stroking, cuddling and interacting with the ponies, who were incredibly calm and patient throughout the visit. The joy on everyone's faces was wonderful to see, and there were plenty of laughs, conversations, and special moments shared as people reminisced about their own experiences with animals over the years.

After spending some time getting to know the ponies, it was time for one of the highlights of the day which was taking the goats for a walk around the grounds. The goats were full of character and curiosity, happily trotting along and enjoying all the attention they received. They behaved very sensibly as they explored their surroundings, although one mischievous goat couldn't resist stopping to sample some flowers from one of our flower beds!

Animal visits such as these provide so many benefits, bringing comfort, companionship and opportunities for meaningful interaction. It was heartwarming to see the positive impact the animals had on everyone, encouraging conversation, creating connections and filling the day with happiness. The gentle presence of the animals helped create a relaxed and uplifting atmosphere, allowing residents and children to enjoy a truly unique and engaging experience together.

We would like to say a huge thank you to Humbleswood Farm for bringing their wonderful animals to visit us. The afternoon was filled with smiles, laughter, and unforgettable moments that will be treasured for a long time to come. It was a fantastic experience for everyone involved and one that we are already looking forward to repeating in the future.

Wednesday 6th May

We began the morning by checking on our caterpillars, which the children have been carefully observing and caring for. There was great excitement when we discovered that one of the caterpillars had emerged from its chrysalis and transformed into a beautiful butterfly. We looked closely at it and decided it was ready to be released. The children and our older friends watched as it gently spread its wings and took flight, creating a wonderful moment of curiosity and connection with nature.

Inspired by our caterpillar friends, we then took part in a woodwork session where the children and older friends worked together to create their very own caterpillars. Using bottle tops and colourful beads, they began creating wonderful designs. Our older friends shared their skills with the children, and showed determination to ensure the nails were securely in the wood.

Continuing our butterfly theme, the children spent time drawing detailed pictures of butterflies, carefully choosing colours and patterns. We then extended the activity by making lifecycle models where the children sequenced the stages from caterpillar to butterfly by sticking them onto lolly sticks. Some children also chose to use clay to mould each stage. This further developed their understanding of the butterfly lifecycle.

We also used paints to create our own colourful representations of the butterfly we had seen, exploring different patterns and colours. It was a really busy day full of exploration, creativity and learning, and everyone thoroughly enjoyed it. We are excited for our next visit to see how many more butterflies will be waiting for us.

Monday 20th April

Today was such a magical and heartwarming day at the care village . We were delighted to welcome a team from Newcastle University, who joined us to capture the beautiful, natural connections between our children and residents. It was a joy to have them with us, and they were truly touched by the genuine friendships that have blossomed here, something we feel so lucky to witness.

The atmosphere throughout the day was full of laughter, kindness, and creativity. Children and their older friends spent precious time together drawing, reading stories, painting colourful pictures, and playing games side by side. There was such a lovely sense of ease and companionship in every interaction.

One of the most special moments came during a watercolour activity, where imaginations really came to life. What started as painting soon turned into playful role play, as paintbrushes became ‘nail tools’ and little pots of colour were transformed into ‘nail varnish’. The children proudly made their way around the room, carefully ‘painting’ bright and imaginative designs onto their friends’ fingers, sparking smiles, laughter and plenty of admiration for each tiny masterpiece. It was such a simple yet beautiful example of creativity and connection across generations.

We’re so excited to share the short video Newcastle University will be creating in the coming weeks, capturing these special memories… so watch this space!

Wednesday 15th April

Today was filled with excitement as the children eagerly set off to visit their older friends. A special highlight of the day was checking on our recently delivered caterpillars. There was a real sense of anticipation as everyone gathered to see how much they had grown!

The children have been learning all about the life cycle of a caterpillar, and it was wonderful to hear them so confidently share their knowledge with the residents. One child thoughtfully explained how the caterpillar carefully wraps itself into a chrysalis, rests inside for a couple of weeks, and then finally emerges as a beautiful butterfly. A transformation that reminded us all of a much-loved story.

The creative energy continued as everyone took part in drawing their own caterpillars and imagining what their butterflies might look like when they emerge. There were lots of thoughtful guesses, colourful designs, and imaginative ideas. The residents thoroughly enjoyed getting involved too, sharing their own artistic interpretations and chatting with the children as they worked side by side.

It was a truly heartwarming session, full of curiosity, creativity and meaningful connections between generations. Moments like these bring learning to life in the most magical way.

Monday 30th March

This week we continued our woodwork theme with our second group of children, and what a joyful, creative experience it was! The children and adults took great care decorating their wooden circles, thoughtfully choosing colours and patterns that reflected their unique ideas. With growing confidence, they practised sawing their dowels and safely hammering them into place, showing determination and focus throughout.

It was truly lovely to see their excitement as their creations came together, transforming simple materials into the most beautiful, one-of-a-kind windmills.

One of the children chose to collaborate with a friend to create a special family picture. She decided she wanted to draw herself and her brother and thoughtfully asked her friend to help by sketching the outlines of the figures. With great care, she described her own features and then her brother’s, bringing their personalities to life through her words and ideas.

It was wonderful to see such positive teamwork and communication as the two worked so happily together, supporting one another throughout the process. She was incredibly proud of her beautiful picture.

After carefully sawing the dowels, one of our friends kindly stepped in to demonstrate how to sand the ends, showing everyone how to make them smooth and safe to handle. The children watched with great interest, eager to learn this important step in the process.

Inspired by the demonstration, they then set off with purpose, working together to ensure every dowel was safely sanded and ready to use.

Wednesday 25th March

This week, the children and their friends embarked on a new adventure in woodwork, filled with creativity, teamwork, and enthusiasm. They showed great confidence and responsibility as they carefully and safely used a range of tools, proudly demonstrating their growing skills with the saw, hammer, and hand drill. It has been wonderful to see how capable and focused they have become.

Inspired by the success of our recent kite-making project, we turned our imaginations toward crafting beautiful windmills. The children took great care in decorating their wooden circles, thoughtfully choosing colours and patterns to make each one unique and full of character. Once the designs were complete, we worked together to cut pieces of dowel that will form the handles of the windmills.

It was a busy and rewarding day, and although we didn’t quite finish, there was a real sense of achievement in how much we accomplished together. We are all looking forward to our next session, when we will bring our creations to life by attaching the decorated circles to the dowels and seeing our windmills take shape.

Monday 16th March

Last week, one of our special friends suggested that we try making kites. He told us all about the resources we would need, and together we gathered everything required. We carefully passed the materials to him while everyone watched with great interest as he created an amazing kite.

First, he used rods to form a cross shape, which he then attached to tissue paper. The paper was then carefully cut out before the string was added. Soon, the kite was ready to fly!

One of our nursery grown-ups kindly took the kite outside to test it and it flew perfectly! What an exciting and rewarding experience for us all. It was then the childrens turn. They began constructing their kites and before we knew it, we were outside flying them.

As well as kite making, we got busy decorating the room in preparation for Easter. The children filled laminating pouches with small pieces of cellophane which we then placed through the laminator. We held them up against the window to allow the light to shine through. Sadly, it was a bit of a dull day so we were unable to achieve the full effect but we hope by Easter the sun will be shining and the colours of the cellophane will shine through.

Wednesday 11th March

This week everyone came together to design Easter cards and make colourful Easter bunting. The children and their friends worked side by side, sharing craft materials, ideas, and inspiration. Tables were filled with bright paper, ribbons, and pens as everyone designed their own unique Easter cards, using spring colours and festive designs. It was wonderful to see creativity flowing, with younger and older participants encouraging one another and exchanging tips and ideas as they worked.

Alongside the card making, everyone contributed to a collaborative piece of Easter bunting, decorating individual sections with drawings, patterns, and Easter-themed designs such as eggs and flowers. When the pieces were brought together, the finished bunting reflected the creativity of the whole group. The session highlighted the value of sharing resources, learning from one another, and simply enjoying time together. It was a lovely reminder that creative activities can help build connections across generations while celebrating the joy of making something together.

💕💕Monday 2nd March💕💕

This week we celebrated one of our lovely grown-ups as she prepares for the exciting arrival of her baby. The children were thrilled to join in with some fun baby-themed games and enjoyed being part of such a special occasion.

Before the celebrations began, we had a very special visitor to meet! The amazing team from Newcastle Cat and Dog Shelter brought along the beautiful Raven to spend some time with us.

Raven was so excited to see all the new faces, and both the children and adults were eager to give her plenty of gentle pets and attention. It was a wonderful opportunity for everyone to learn more about caring for animals and to enjoy some very special cuddles.

Everyone got involved in the baby games, and one of the favourites was trying to cut a piece of ribbon to the correct length to fit perfectly around our grown-up’s baby bump.

The children and their older friends carefully guessed and measured before making their cuts. We ended up with lots of different lengths, some were too small, some were too big but a few were just right! There were lots of giggles as we compared the ribbons and discovered who had guessed closest.

It was a lovely way to build excitement for the new arrival while encouraging measuring, estimating and teamwork. A fun challenge for everyone involved! 💛🎀

Wednesday 25th February

This week, we continued exploring our creativity using our new paint pads and blocks, an idea inspired by a child’s interest at home. The children were excited to experiment with different patterns, shapes, and textures, carefully pressing, printing, and creating their own unique masterpieces. It has been lovely to see their confidence and imagination grow as they explore new ways to express themselves.

We also shared a very special moment with one of our lovely residents, who was delighted to tell us that her son has a new puppy. She proudly showed us a photo and we all agree that he is absolutely adorable!

We were also incredibly touched by a thoughtful gesture from one of the children this week. She had kindly decorated figurines at home and brought them in as gifts for her older friends. The residents were absolutely thrilled to receive such beautiful, personalised presents, and the child beamed with pride seeing how much joy they brought. It was a truly heartwarming moment of connection and generosity.

The fun continued as the children shared their skills, showing residents how to use apps to create funny photographs. There were lots of giggles as everyone experimented with different filters and effects! One resident in particular thought it was hilarious and he has now become the expert at taking selfies with the children and adding creative effects.

It has been wonderful to see the children and residents learning from one another and how modern technology can be used to bring everyone closer together.

After asking for support from our nursery parents we were donated acoustic guitars. The guitars have now been taken to the care village, where they are already being put to wonderful use.

Family contributions are helping to create opportunities for learning, creativity, and connection through music. It’s inspiring to see how your generosity is making a meaningful difference.

Monday 16th February

A Very Special Birthday Celebration at Nursery!

This week at nursery was extra special as we celebrated one of our nursery grown-ups birthdays! The excitement started early as the children buzzed with ideas about how to make the day magical.

To kick off the celebrations, the children got creative by decorating jars to turn them into beautiful vases. With ribbons, stickers, and lots of wool, each vase became a unique masterpiece. Once the jars were ready, we carefully placed fresh daffodils into them. The children and grown ups were fantastic at arranging the flowers, and it was wonderful to see their pride as they admired their colourful creations.

After the flower arranging, it was time to decorate fairy cakes! Everyone helped to drizzle icing and colourful sprinkles on their cakes, turning them into tiny works of art. Once the cakes were ready, we gathered together to sing “Happy Birthday,” filling the room with laughter, smiles, and happy voices.

The celebration continued throughout the day with a variety of fun activities. Some children enjoyed exploring puzzles and games, sharpening their problem-solving skills while having fun. Others built an elaborate den using cushions and blankets, which quickly became their imaginative play space. Inside their den, they engaged in exciting role-play adventures, letting their creativity and teamwork shine.

It was a day full of joy, laughter, and special memories. The children not only celebrated a birthday but also expressed themselves through art, creativity, and play. Moments like these remind us just how wonderful it is to see young minds exploring, learning, and celebrating together.

We can’t wait for more magical days like this, full of learning, creativity, and intergenerational friendships!

Monday 26th January

Today was a gentle reminder of how powerful creativity can be. The day was filled with hands-on craft activities that encouraged imagination, focus, and self-expression. We began by creating hearts using pieces of cellophane, carefully arranging the colours before laminating them into beautiful window decorations. These now brighten the lounge at Winton Court, filling the space with colour and light.

We were also inspired to make extra hearts to send to our friends in Spain, extending the sense of connection beyond our own community.

Creating together allowed beautiful conversations to flow, as teamwork truly made the dream work. Children and adults collaborated closely, fitting the cellophane pieces into the heart shapes side by side. It was especially moving to witness both generations teaching and learning from one another in such a natural and genuine way.

We then moved on to working with clay, shaping, moulding, and experimenting with texture. There were some wonderful creations all focused on love hearts. We also added small beads to add some extra colour and ribbon to hang them up.

“Children learn best when they are actively involved and free to explore through all their senses.”
— Loris Malaguzzi (Reggio Emilia approach)

Monday 2nd February

This week, the children continued to build on their interest in animals, with a special focus on animals that live under the sea. We watched a short clip about different sea creatures, and the children eagerly recalled the animals they had spotted. They then drew the animals they had seen. The children demonstrated amazing drawing skills, carefully noticing the characteristics of sea life and incorporating details such as coral and waves into their artwork.

Wednesday 21st January

This week the children and their friends celebrated the Great British Bird Watching week where we created our own bird feeders with honey loops and pipe cleaners. This was a great activity to get everyone involved in and once complete everyone helped one another to tie the ends together and add ribbon to hang the bird feeders from the trees. We then decided to make our own binoculars so we could watch the birds. Just before lunch the bird feeders were hung in the trees outside and then the observing began. We spotted a seagull, jackdaw, crows, blackbirds and a robin!

This week we contacted our 2025 cohort of children who visited the care village and asked them for an update. We were inundated with replies and took those and updated photographs to the care village. The residents were thrilled to see how well the children are doing. We have also begun to create a floor book which showcases our penpal project with our friends in Spain. We will be sending another letter out next week and look forward to receiving a reply.

 

Monday 12th January

This week we were visited by Rob from Zoolab. Everyone was very excited as we chatted about what animals we might see. Rob was very knowledgeable and shared lots of fascinating information about the animals. Firstly, we were invited to hold and pet a tortoise called Elmer. We looked at her beautiful shell and markings and Rob told us a little more about her and in particular what she eats (her favourite food is dandelions) and every year she is allowed one strawberry treat on her birthday. We were then introduced to Tilly the Tarantula. She stayed in her box as she is very delicate. The children and residents were all amazed by her. She was one of the smaller spiders that Rob has in his collection and the biggest is the size of a dinner plate!  

We met a very lazy millipede, a giant cockroach and a gecko. The gecko felt like velvet and the children were wowed by him. However, we had to be very careful as he really enjoyed sitting on the children’s arm and jumping off! This was a wonderfully inclusive intergenerational session. The residents enjoyed asking questions and learning about the animals just as much as the children. We are looking forward to more animal visits in the future. 

Wednesday 7th January

This week, we were delighted to receive a letter from our pen pals in Spain. We opened the package together with our older friends and were thrilled to find a letter and photographs of Albolote, where their Spanish intergenerational space is based. We read through the letter together and enjoyed chatting about the differences between our country and theirs. The letter shared information about Christmas traditions in Spain, and we were also sent a lovely Christmas card.

Over the next few weeks, we will be replying to our friends and telling them a little more about our nursery and local area.

One of the children had recently been to the ballet and brought along a photograph that was taken afterwards with the dancers. She was so excited to share it with everyone and gave a detailed account of her trip. Sharing personal events and experiences encourages discussion and communication between the children and their older friends, and photographs are a wonderful way to spark these conversations.

We continue to see relationships blossom, and we are pleased to have welcomed some new residents to the project. We hope they will enjoy working with us over the coming year.

Monday 15th December

What a day we have had at Winton Court! The children, staff and residents have had an amazing time celebrating Christmas and this visit was a rather special one. We did not want any child to miss out on an opportunity to visit their friends at Christmas so we decided we would take both our Monday group and Wednesday group! Our morning began with a short Christmas film which included hot chocolate and snacks. Then there was present exchanging before our Christmas picnic lunch. Then it was party time!