A new bill making its way through Guam’s legislature could transform the way we think about daycare — by connecting the youngest and oldest in our community. Supporters of Bill no. 95-38 say it’s time to rethink childcare, and they believe intergenerational daycare centers are the future.

Guam’s families are multigenerational by nature — and now, legislation is aiming to reflect that in our childcare system. Bill no. 95-38 would allow for intergenerational daycare centers, creating shared spaces for children and seniors to learn and grow together.

Maelonie Tamondong president and CEO of TGT Guam, LLC. which operates the Giving Tree Pre-School Centers and the Helping Hands Adult Daycare shares what inspired her to open an intergenerational daycare center.

"When we first opened Giving Tree in 2016, we had these field trips to St. Dominic's and we would take the children to visit the seniors around the holidays and they would do some Christmas performances like dances and they would create Christmas cards," she said. "As soon as they see the children, there's not one person in the room who isn't cheek to cheek smiling."

But this innovative concept was not currently addressed in existing government regulations. While the Department of Public Health and Social Services initially expressed support for the idea, the agency later informed her that, due to the lack of applicable regulations, it might be forced to deny her license or even shut the facility down.

Despite receiving prior approvals, Tamondong faced significant regulatory hurdles after making major investments into the center. She was required to make last-minute changes—such as reinstalling walls that had previously passed inspection—just to keep the project afloat.

With that being said, the bill authored by Sen. Tina Muna-Barnes proposes amendments to Title 10 of the Guam Code Annotated, paving the way for licensed childcare providers to integrate senior-focused services on the same site — creating mutual benefits for both age groups.

"We saw the senior center, we saw the daycare center, it would be so great to have them collaborate once or twice a day for an activity or two, have story time together, celebrate birthdays together, have music and movement together, I just don't see it as anything but natural. Children are naturally curious and are elderly are naturally nurturing," she said.

The Giving Tree Preschool Center is calling on community members to write letters of support ahead of a legislative hearing scheduled for April 17 at 2pm. Supporters can email their letters to Senator Tina Muna Barnes’ office.

"If we start with one intergenerational daycare it might open up doors for many other centers to say hey you know what? It's not such a bad idea and this is something the community needs if we normalize taking care of our children and seniors at the same time that's great," she said.

Advocates say intergenerational care is more than just a novel idea — it's a return to core values that have always been part of island life. From toddlers to elders, Bill no. 95-38 could bring generations under one roof — and closer together. Bill author Sen. Tina Rose Muna Barnes speaking at a recent event encouraging support for the bill.

"When you create something new and you want to bring together both young and old, what better way than a win-win," she said. "Please help me help Lani, and the whole team who asked me here to this legislative breakfast, to be a part of making history come true for this kind of business to start here," said the senator.