Day care centres

What happens in day care?

Throughout the day a range of activities are available. These are carefully planned with reference to the needs and interests of the individual, or if they prefer, clients can simply relax and enjoy the atmosphere of the centre.

Why do we have a range of activities?

Activities are a means to an end with talking, interaction and fun being a major part of our philosophy of care, offering unique opportunities for communication in order to:

• maintain and build on existing skills

• provide stimulation and enjoyment

• give a sense of achievement, self worth and build confidence

• offer opportunities for social interaction.

Social and leisure based activities such as reminiscence work, therapeutic activities, craft based work, gardening and sing a longs, help to promote:

• interaction, discussion, and conversation by involvement in activities based around newspapers, conversation, quizzes and discussions

• short and long term memory by involvement in activities based around orientation, quizzes, discussion and conversation

• literacy and numeracy by involvement in activities based on numbers and letters

• co-ordination by involvement in physical activities requiring co-ordinated movement

• mobility by involvement in exercise sessions and physical activities.

Photograph by Julian Hawkins.