London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
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Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
Islington 1937
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Islington Borough]
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95 1937
St. Luke's Day Nursery and “Guest House,” 29-31, Penn Road, N.7. As
noted, this Day Nursery differs from the others in that it has a residential portion.
The "Guest House" is inundated with requests for admission and careful selection
is made. Islington cases are admitted at a reduced fee, but, notwithstanding, the
applications from outside at the higher fee are very numerous. The nursing staff
can only undertake six babies under nine months, but the general experience of
the Day Nursery proper is that there appears to be a tendency to bring young
infants with feeding difficulties, which unduly increases the proportion of "bottle
babies." Applications in respect of tinies and toddlers are not in excess, as are
applications for the very young infants.
South Islington (Pro Patria) Day Nursery, 9 Canonbury Place. As a
contrast in this Day Nursery more toddlers are being taken owing to their being
fewer "young baby" applications. The Nursery is divided into "those under
two" and "those over two" years of age. This Nursery's experience is that there
are more applications for younger babies in the Spring, the mothers going out to
work at that season. Good use is made of the grounds for the toddler and this Day
Nursery provides artificial sunlight. Forty-seven of the older children of this Day
Nursery were taken for a holiday to Norfolk. The education of the toddlers includes
Kindergarten teaching, organised games and a children's " band."
DAY NURSERIES RECEIVING GRANTS FROM THE BOROUGH
COUNCIL.
| No. of places provided. | No. of attendances during 1937. | Council grant (year ending 31st March, 1938.) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| i. Lower Holloway Day Nursery | 50 | 12,984 | |
| ii. South Islington (Pro Patria) Day Nursery | 50 | 10,287 | 600 |
| iii. St. Luke's Day Nursery | 30 | 4,731* | 250 |
| Total | 130 | 28,002 | £1,110 |
* Excluding Guest House.
† This Nursery is a municipally owned building. (No rent charged for
its use.)
Grants given in respect of work in premises outside the Borough boundary:—
The Claremont Central Mission Day Nursery, White Lion Street, N.l.—£50.
INVALID CHILDREN'S AID ASSOCIATION.
The Association continues to perform good work for Islington children by
providing convalescence and obtaining treatment in recommended cases. The
Borough Council contributes £25 per annum to the Local Branch of this Association.
During the year, 94 Islington children under five years were given periods of convalescence
either in the country or by the sea, and 15 crippled children of like ages
were provided with surgical appliances, splints, special boots, etc.