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77
Toddlers Clinics
The value of these clinics in supervising the health and well-being
of children between the ages of two and five years, has not diminished
since they were inaugurated in part of this Area in 1938.
For these clinics an appointment is sent to the parent every six
months after the age of two years. The children who are brought to the
clinic are in good health usually. An opportunity is afforded for the
early detection of defects such as squint, stammer and dental caries.
The children are referred to the appropriate clinics for the correction
of such defects, which are treated much more quickly in the early
stages, thus saving the loss of a great deal of school time. Some
children may have had a set-back due to illness, or the birth of a baby
brother or sister, and are therefore suffering from anxiety. There is
an improvement in knowledge of how to help these children over their
difficulties. This knowledge has been acquired through discussions
with the doctor and health visitor at the clinic session and is followed
up by a visit in the home by the health visitor. If the anxiety is too
great and the child is not getting well, then the parent is referred to the
child guidance clinic.
In addition regular medical examination in day nurseries provides
a close supervision of this age group. A considerable number of
children are sent to school between the ages of four and five years
and medical record cards are forwarded to the Child Health Section to
ensure continuity of medical supervision.

Parent Guidance in the Welfare Clinics
It has been felt for some time now that there is too big a gap between
the Child Guidance and Infant Welfare Centres. In order to overcome
this, Dr. Phillips, the visiting psychiatrist mainly dealing with school