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10
(d) Berridge House, Hillfield Road, N.W.6.—Opened on 8th May,
1944, to accommodate 47 children. Closed on 16th March,
1946, as the original tenants of the premises returned from
evacuation and wished to re-open the Domestic Science
Training College. For the children in this nursery whose
mothers continued full-time work, accommodation was
arranged in the Nursery Class at Beckford L.C.C. School
for those over three years of age, and in Woodchurch Road
Day Nursery for the younger ones.
Throughout the year every care and attention has been given to the
supervision of the Day Nurseries. It must never be forgotten that the
Nurseries serve a dual function. Not only do they look after the child
whilst the parent is at work, but what in my opinion is of even greater
value, is that they provide an education and outlet for a child who might
otherwise be a lone child in a back basement or top attic.
The cost per child per day has been 4s. 6d., of which the mother is
asked to contribute 2s. per day for the first child in a family and Is. 6d.
per day for second and subsequent children in a family admitted at the
same time. In necessitous cases, where the parent is unable to afford
the full cost, an assessment is made according to means. During 1946,
six applications were received for reduction in charge, and all these
applications were allowed.
Maternity Homes and Hospitals.
During the year, 66 Hampstead mothers were evacuated for confinement
under the Government Evacuation Scheme, 54 were admitted to
Queen Charlotte's Hospital, and 485 were admitted to New End Hospital.
Nursing in the Home.
The number of home visits paid by the two District Nursing Associa
tions in accordance with the Borough Council Scheme was :—
Hampstead District Nursing Association 2,117
Kilburnand West Hampstead Nursing Association 2,324
Domestic and Home Help Service.
A scheme for the provision of Home Helps for maternity cases only,
has been in operation since 1934, but this scheme was extended to include
provision of Domestic Helps in November, 1946.
The present scheme covers the following types of cases: —
(a) During home confinement.
(b) Post-operative patients, and patients discharged from hospital
and still under medical supervision.
(c) Aged and infirm.
(d) Sickness causing domestic difficulties, where help from friends
or relatives is unavailable.
The Committee appointed a Home Help Organiser to supervise this
service, which at the time of the writing of this report consists of eight
full-time and ten part-time helps. The Home Helps are provided with
overalls and are paid at the rate of 2s. per hour. The applicant is
assessed to pay in accordance with the approved scale.
During the first ten months of 1946, when help was available only for
maternity cases, assistance was provided for 99 applicants. Since the
inception of the augmented scheme in November, a total of 28 domestic,
and 31 maternity cases have been assisted.