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51
REGISTRATION OF NURSERIES AND CHILD MINDERS
Investigations leading to the approval, rejection or withdrawal of applications
for the registration of nurseries or child minders, and the subsequent supervision
of those registered were the responsibility of nursing officers. Health visitors
continued to visit regularly to advise on the care of the children involved. In the
majority of cases the first approach of prospective child minders was to the health
visitor.
The increase in the number of new applications for registrations of premises
slowed down, probably because of lack of suitable accommodation not already in
use at the time of the day required. The majority of premises registered as day
nurseries are in fact pre-school playgroups open for sessions of from 2 to 2½ hours,
but to accord with the requirements of the Nurseries and Child Minders Regulation
Act they are registered as day nurseries. These groups provide a valuable service
to the community.
The number of new applications for registration as child minders averaged
16 per week and it would seem that this may be a continuing pattern. A successful
course for playgroup helpers was arranged at the new Streatham Common Centre,
which seemed to be both enjoyable and helpful to those who attended and
provided an opportunity for discussion of problems within the group.
During the year two well attended meetings of playgroup leaders took
place at the Town Hall. These meetings have proved to be a valuable aid to
understanding and co-operation between nursing officers and the playgroup
leaders.
The sponsorship scheme continued to provide a means whereby children
most in need of the service were able to attend playgroups regardless of ability
of parents to pay the fee. Health visitors nominated selected children and fees
were covered by the Council.

Domiciliary Midwifery
Both the total numbers of home confinements and the proportion of them
taking place at home continued to fall during the year. The number of early