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A child may be left in a creche for short periods while the mother is attending
a clinic either at the Welfare Centre or at hospital. The creches also provide occasional
relief to mothers who, for various domestic reasons, wish to be relieved of the care of their
children temporarily.
PRIVATE DAY NURSERIES AND CHILD MINDERS
(a) Under the Nurseries and Child Minders (Regulation) Act, 1948, the Council can
register premises used as private day nurseries and all persons who for reward
receive into their homes children under the age of five to be looked after for a substantial
part of a day.
At 1st April, 1965, there were seventeen private day nurseries with in the borough,
During the remainder of the year, there were four new registrations and one cancellation.
All private day nurseries are visited and inspected at regular intervals by the Council's
medical officers. A registered nursery must keep detailed records of the child's medical
history and inoculation state and to report any occurrence of infectious diseases.
(b) Women who look after for reward in their homes more than two children from
more than one family for a substantial part of the day are registered by the
Council as child minders.
Before registration, the homes are visited to ensure that the premises are suitable
and that there are no hazards to the health or safety of the children; particular attention
being paid to the safety of heating appliances and electrical installations.
After registration, health visitors visit regularly and exercise a general supervision
over the premises and advise the child minder on the various aspects of child care.
REGISTERED DAY NURSERIES AND CHILD MINDERS
(Nurseries and Child Minders (Regulation) Act, 1948)
Number of registered day nurseries
at 31st December, 1965 20
Number of places 561
Number of child minders registered
at 31st December, 1965 19
Number of children authorised 111
VOLUNTARY CHILD MINDERS
A woman who minds only one or two children is not required to register under
the Act, but the Council maintain a register of such voluntary minders. Under this scheme,
a small weekly payment is made by the Council to women who look after one or two children
and who are willing to take them to Council's welfare centres and to admit the health visitors
to their homes.
VOLUNTARY REGISTRATION OF CHILD MINDERS
Number registered at 31st December, 1965 - 40
Number of children authorised - 65
PLAY GROUPS
Playgroups for pre-school children have been organised by voluntary bodies and
groups of parents. Where children attend for short periods only, registration is not necessary,
but one play group, which is held on Council premises and is open for the whole day, has
been registered as a day nursery.