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41
FAMILY PLANNING
The Council provides the Family Planning Association with free use of Clinic
premises and also makes a per capita payment to the Association in respect of
married women referred for family planning advice on medical grounds.
The arrangements are similar to those commended to local health authorities
by the Minister of Health in Circular 5/66.
The issue of this circular and the publicity which accompanied it has led to
an increased interest in, and awareness of family planning services generally.
Two hundred and five mothers were referred on medical grounds to the family
planning association.
DAY NURSERIES
The Council's Day Nurseries continued to maintain a high rate of attendance.
When it became necessary to close Streatham Day Nursery before the new building
was completed additional places were made available at the remaining nine nurseries
so that the total number of places was not reduced. The new nursery in Upper
Tulse Hill is nearing completion.
CHILD MINDING
The Council is responsible for the registration and supervision of day nurseries
and child-minders under the Nurseries and Child-Minders Regulation Act 1948.
Because of the lack of nursery school provision in the Borough, there is a
continued demand from mothers, particularly in the southern part of the Borough,
with children in the three and four years age group, for play group facilities.
This demand is being met largely by private individuals and, in fact, often by
mothers themselves co-operating to provide facilities either in their own homes or at
other premises. This led to an increasing number of applications for registration.
At the end of the year there were in the Borough as a whole twenty-three premises
or persons registered providing 427 places.
The Council operates a scheme for the voluntary registration of child-minders
who care for up to two children under five years of age. At the end of the year
there were 74 minders so registered, who were caring for 95 children.
"HANDICAP" REGISTERS
Much importance is attached to the development and maintenance of a complete
register of all babies and young children who have congenital handicaps, or who,