View report page

11
for long periods. Ordinarily the length of convalescence is six
weeks, but numbers were often retained for three months while
prospective entrants had to wait for epidemics to die out before
being accepted.
The home did not reopen at Sevenoaks in June as expected, as
the arrangements fell through. On September 11, the first Lambeth
child was admitted to the new home at Hartsleap, Farnham.
where the institution is now happily established and has taken 17
children to date (July).
The Zachary Merton Convalescent Home for mothers and babies
at which the Council have agreed to maintain four beds has not
yet reopened its doors. Before the war the Council had two beds
there for mothers which include cots for their infants and if needed
accommodation for toddlers as well.

The nurseries have been full during the whole year and although
the demand for women's labour was less intense than in the previous
year, yet the demands for nursery accommodation showed no
signs of slackening. Requests poured in for names to be placed
upon the waiting list long after the likelihood of a vacancy being
offered before children reached the age of five became increasingly
remote. On all sides there seemed unanimity of opinion that for
all children except those still in arms, the nursery life and training
is of real use and benefit. At present there is little chance of satisfying
a demand which is likely to extend as fast as new nurseries
can be opened. The children in the nurseries are so obviously well
and happy that no other advertisement is needed, but the nine
nurseries were expected to cost some £37,000 to maintain during
the twelve months ending March 31, 1946, for an average daily
attendance of 620 children.