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46
CHILD MINDING
The Council is responsible for the registration and supervision of day nurseries
playgroups, and child minders under the Nurseries and Child Minders Regulation
Act 1948.
The Council also operates a scheme for the voluntary registration of minders
who care for one or two children under the age of five years. Suitable persons
with good standards receive a small weekly sum. They are required to attend the
local child welfare centre with the children at regular intervals, and are also
visited in their homes by health visitors.
The scheme has been invaluable in maintaining a high standard of care for
many children. At the end of 1967 there were 76 voluntary minders caring for
99 children.
There was an increasing number of applications from persons wishing to mind
more than two children as well as a few wanting to open private day nurseries.
These are used by parents who wish to work but whose child is not eligible for a
place in a Council nursery.
Because of the lack of nursery school facilities within the borough, the demand
for part-time playgroup facilities has continued, and the number of applications to
form groups increased. Well organised groups are able to provide the opportunity
for creative play, stimulation and the companionship necessary for the normal
development of the three and four year olds.
During the year 17 new or amended registrations were made of premises or
persons providing facilities for 321 children, and at 31 December there was a total
of 36 premises or person registered caring for 757 children.
The Council has authorised the payment of grants to a number of playgroups
to assist them in their work.
An increasing amount of time was spent by officers of the Health Department
in the inspection and supervision of private day-care facilities for children under
five years. The Health Visitors maintain contact with the children not cared for in
their own homes by visiting all groups and childminders, and a senior nursing
officer visits all playgroups and nurseries at intervals.
Regular visiting ensures that a high standard of child care is maintained.
‘HANDICA’ 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, because of adverse factors occurring during the mother’s pregnancy or
labour, are ‘at risk’ of developing such handicap. Information provided by general
practitioners, hospitals and midwives is supplemented by the observations of
clinic doctors and health visitors.