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58
The domestic arrangements once again brought problems. Night cleaners
are established in nearly all nurseries which has been a tremendous help to the
matrons. They no longer have the responsibility of recruiting domestic staff, nor
is there, except rarely, the need to divert nursing staff to domestic duties. However,
cooking has become an increasing problem, since all but one of the cooks who
had given years of excellent service, have left. It has been necessary to make more
use of frozen foods, and they have proved to be nutritious, attractive, time and
labour saving, and easy to prepare and cook.
During the Autumn, it was with regret that we bade farewell to
Mrs. E. Brooks, Matron of Coldharbour Lane Day Nursery, who joined the
nursery as matron when it was opened by Lambeth Metropolitan Borough Council
during the war days in 1942.
Christmas for the children in the nurseries was as gay and colourful as
always, but the staff were feeling a little apprehensive about the coming changes
in 1971, when the service will become part of the new Directorate of Social
Services. I am confident, however, that all the matrons and their staffs will
continue to give an excellent service to the children of Lambeth, and great
support to the many parents with whom they have daily contact.

* Places set aside in day nurseries
for part-time attendance:
1 attendance = 2 part-time attendances