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The following criteria were applied in day nurseries and play groups:
(i) a minimal floor area of 25 sq.ft. per child
(ii) one W.C. for each 10 children
(iii) one wash basin for 5 children
(iv) a minimum of staff of 2 in the smallest group, and
(v) one member of staff to 10 children in the larger groups.
Staffing also depended on rooms available, i.e. small rooms catering for a group of less
than 10 established the need for an additional member of staff.
Child minders were on the whole limited to undertake the daily care of no more than
3 children under the age of 5 when working single handed. This number included any children
of their own in this age group.
Every applicant for day nursery or play group was interviewed and the premises inspected
by a senior member of the nursing staff. Child minders were interviewed by the health visitor
in the area. Their recommendations were scrutinised and discussed with the Principal Medical
Officer.
Applicants for day nurseries and play groups were advised to apply to Town and Country
Planning, and the Fire Prevention Officer for clearance. In the case of child minders living in
Council accommodation the Housing Manager was advised of pending registration and his
comments were invited. All applicants completed an application form after interview as this
enabled members of staff to dissuade obviously unsuitable applicants from proceeding beyond
this stage. This considerably reduced the number of those who had to be rejected and also
appeals to committee. In fact only one applicant appealed but withdrew this at the last moment.

Health Visitors in this authority have been trained to look upon the supervision of children
in day care by either child minders or in play groups or day nurseries as part of their responsibility
for the health care of the "under fives". They have kept records of their monthly routine visits
and inform each other of problems which come to their notice during these visits in children
from other health visitors' areas. They have also had a chance to discuss child minders who
also act as foster parents with child care officers and consult with social workers on special
problems. In many day nurseries and play groups they have been looked upon for advice and
guidance, very much as in schools where the school nurses are called on. In some cases these
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