Revolutionary Care Model Unites Toddlers and Elders Under One Roof!

For the first time in France, a public nursing home hosts a community and parent-run daycare, with a mission to dissolve generational barriers and enable both the elderly residents and young children to meet and share valuable life moments. For Mélanie Barey, this project is particularly meaningful. Her 80-year-old mother has been living at the Lumières d’automne nursing home for three years, and her eighteen-month-old daughter just started attending the daycare this fall. “Choosing a nonprofit, nearby facility with a caring, tight-knit team for my mother was a significant decision,” she shares with us.

The innovative project couldn’t have succeeded without the commitment of a group of families and support from the Caisse d’Allocations Familiales de la Seine-Saint-Denis and the City of Saint-Ouen-sur-Seine. Located in Saint-Ouen-sur-Seine, the daycare named Petits Bourgeons opened its doors in September and serves 24 children. It is situated in the nursing home’s park, separated from the main building by a safety barrier. Despite the barrier, interaction is frequent, as parents and children traverse the outdoor areas to reach the daycare. “Some residents sit outside for coffee or a stroll. We stop to say hi, chat for a few minutes,” explains Mélanie.

The current aim is to gently foster connections between the two spaces, taking into account the distinct and varied rhythms of the elderly and infants. However, professionals from both institutions are there to assist and ensure everyone’s needs are respected. “Some residents were initially hesitant, mainly due to the construction disruptions, but their concerns disappeared once the daycare opened. Children have a magical way of instantly building connections!” observes Mélanie Barey.

In the coming months, numerous events will promote shared activities like reading, singing, choral performances, and arts and crafts. The nursing home hosted a music festival in June 2025, attended by all parents and children. Also, a flea market is planned for early December. Children and residents might also come together in the nursing home’s garden to do some gardening! “Ultimately, we aim to host meals and create shared events beyond everyday activities. The project’s commitment is truly about bringing life and meaning,” explains the young mother.

“We also want this place to become familiar to the children. We’re teaching them about the continuity of life’s stages, showing them firsthand that the space where we care for our elders is integrated with the community and welcoming to children,” Mélanie Barey explains. Mélanie, who works as an architect, also notes that the role of children in urban spaces is a topic of discussion. As for the elderly, they are often somewhat hidden. “This project tackles both issues simultaneously,” she enthuses.