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49
During 1937 the attendances at the Nursery totalled 5,304, and
the number of children admitted to the guest house was 68.
An annual grant of £500 is made by the Council in accordance
with the requirements of the Scheme made by the Ministry of
Health (vide page 22).
The temporary creche, organised by the Society of Day
Nurseries, was, for a third year, held in Battersea Park during the
month of August and part of September. Young children were
admitted at a nominal charge, and play pens, &c., provided. A
matron, with voluntary helpers, was responsible for the
ment.
A letter was received from the Metropolitan Boroughs Standing
Joint Committee stating that the National Society of Day Nurseries
had applied to the London County Council for permission to provide
open air day nurseries in various parks and open spaces under
the control of the County Council, similar to that just referred
to, that the appropriate Committee of the County Council felt
that the scheme might well form a basis of a valuable social service
and were prepared to consider recommending the County Council to
seek power to allocate by enclosure portions of open spaces within
which the Borough Councils or Voluntary Associations could
provide day nurseries under properly controlled conditions but,
before considering the matter further, desired to have the views
of the Standing Joint Committee and the Metropolitan Borough
Councils on the proposal. The Council expressed themselves in
favour of the promotion of legislation on the lines suggested.
Reference was made in the Annual Report for 1936 (page 49)
to the suggestion made by the Ministry of Health that the Council
should consider the question as to whether there was need for
further day nursery accommodation in the Borough. In February
an enquiry was received from the Ministry as to the position of
the matter, and the Committee decided to inform them that the
Council were bearing in mind the possible need for another day
nursery if a suitable site could be found.
Invalid Children's Aid Association.
The Battersea Branch of this Association has since 1929 been
granted, rent-free, the use of a room at Southlands as an office.
The Council also make an annual grant of £50.
In November the Chairman of the Health Committee (Mrs.
A. A. Burton) was re-appointed to represent the Council upon the
Committee of the Association.
I am indebted to the Secretary of the Battersea Branch for
the following report on the work of the Branch during 1937 :—
The Invalid Children's Aid Association is a voluntary organisation
whose aim is to give to " Every Child a Chance " to grow up into a healthy