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lives can be made less irksome if as a result of training, they can
occupy themselves and are able to engage in a modicum of selfhelp.
It is fundamental to the success of the centre that every effort
be made to create a stimulating and happy atmosphere, an environment
within which children are given the best of opportunities
to assimilate and adjust.
Comments
At the Centre's opening in December, 1965, some 56 children
were transferred from the previous accommodation at Cecil Rooms
and, within a few months, the Nursery, Training and Special Care
Units were fully occupied.
Unfortunately, it had not been appreciated that, upon the
establishment of this Centre, the I.L.E.A. would refer for further
medical examination children from the lower streams of E.S.N,
schools with a view to excluding them. This not only precipitated a
situation whereby 33 children had to be accommodated at Maze
Hill but also the establishment of a waiting list for all children found
unsuitable for education at school. Furthermore, it also prevented
the transfer of children from the Nursery or the Special Care Unit
where places were taken up almost immediately. By dividing the
Special Care Unit and altering a Nursery store it will be possible in
1967 to accommodate an additional 4 or 5 children in the Nursery
and 3 more in the Special Care Unit.
Much of the year has been spent in consolidating ideas and plans
laid during the first few months of the Centre's existence. The senior
class has become a transition group where less supervision is given
and, in preparation for the future, the boys and girls are encouraged
to adopt a more adult approach to work. Near-adult occupations
have been introduced whereby boys are taught gardening, very
simple carpentry and a variety of other suitable tasks. All girls'
activities have been withdrawn from the boys' timetable, a step
which would seem to have been very important. In addition to being
taught to shampoo and set their own hair, the girls are learning
plain needlework, first by hand and then by machine, and the group
spends some time in 'self-help' activities such as care of clothes,
nails, teeth, etc. All these pursuits are designed to help the boys and
girls to integrate happily and unobtrusively into the community.
Perhaps the most important aspect of the year's work is that
the Centre has become much more of a place to work from than
merely a building to work in. With the exception of the Nursery its
occupants have moved out into the community. Infants are using
the playground in the local park and are mixing with normal children.
Juniors undertake nature walks and the intermediates make local
visits of educational interest. By using public transport including the