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49
In a memorandum issued for the guidance of Local Health Authorities, the
Minister of Health drew attention to the provisions of the Health Services and
Public Health Act, 1968 and made recommendations regarding inspection,
registration and supervision and good relationship with prospective applicants.
The close co-operation with planning departments and the Fire Authority on
means of escape in case of fire and fire precautions generally is stressed. The
Minister also recommends that greater care should be taken in checking the
health of applicants and persons they employ to look after children including a
suggestion that a declaration of health should be completed by each person who
should be asked to consent to the Medical Officer of Health consulting her own
doctor if necessary.
At present the Council 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 health Centre with the children and are also visited in
their homes by health visitors. With the extension of the Nurseries and Child
Minders Regulation Act all existing voluntarily registered minders will be
required to register under statutory provisions. The voluntary registration scheme
will therefore cease on 31st January 1969, the date by which the voluntary minders
are required to seek statutory registration.
The comprehensive nature of the new provisions means that the Health
Department will have to deal with a wider range of standards among applicants
a proportion of whom will undoubtedly be unacceptable for registration. To
ensure that those refused registration do not continue to mind children, and that
registered minders continue to observe satisfactory standards frequent and
regular visiting by senior nursing officers and health visitors will be necessary.
As from 1st February 1969 it will be an offence for an unregistered person to
mind children. It is, therefore, desirable that all those brought within the scope
of the Act should be registered by that date. With this in mind the Council
approved new arrangements for ensuring that applications are dealt with speedily,
the appointment of additional staff, and proposals for giving extensive publicity
to the new requirements.
Grants were given to a number of play groups during the year, and next year
it is hoped to increase the assistance the Council is able to provide. An
application has been made to the Department of Health and Social Security for a
special grant for this purpose under the Urban Programme. The majority of the
play group leaders are most co-operative and provide a valuable service for the
children attending the groups.