A Dream Realized: New Intergenerational Early Learning Centre Opens

The Andrew Fleck Children's Services Intergenerational Early Learning Centre at Perley Health officially opened its doors, welcoming children on Monday, July 6. The milestone follows a six-year joint planning initiative, a pilot project weekly playgroup, a 12-month construction phase, and official licensing from the Ontario Ministry of Education.

The newly renovated and expanded facility, across from the pharmacy and near Deborah's Gift Boutique, creates a unique environment that brings together infants, toddlers, and preschoolers to engage with the Perley Health community of care. Perley Health employees receive priority access to these childcare spaces and applications are open to the public.

Two Talented Perley Health Creative Arts Instructors; Andréa Fabricius and Genevieve Lemieux-Crombie, created an amazingly colourful mural to honour the donors who support Bridging Generations. Come see this masterpiece in the hallway of the Intergenerational Early Learning Centre.

While formal intergenerational activities will roll out over the coming months - after everyone settles in – daily life is expected to foster connections throughout the Perley Health community.

“I thank all our partners for making this dream a reality,” said Katrin Spencer, Perley Health Vice-President of Strategy and Business Development. “We could not have achieved this without the strong support of donors to the Perley Health Foundation, our residents, tenants, clients, families, friends, architect, construction partners and so many more.”

The initiative represents a growing shift toward integrated care models that offer mutual social and cognitive benefits. To support the opening, the Perley Health Centre of Excellence in Frailty-Informed Care™ is evaluating the program's impact. Academic researchers from the University of Ottawa and Carleton University are currently assessing facility design, tracking children's development, and studying how these shared experiences benefit Veterans, Seniors and staff.

Updates on project progress continue to be shared through the Generations Connected newsletter, available throughout Perley Health and online PerleyHealth.ca/generations-connected.

The Andrew Fleck Children's Services Intergenerational Early Learning Centre at Perley Health officially opened its doors, welcoming children on Monday, July 6.