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The table below summarises the findings from all the Council's centres for the year:

DAY NURSERIES AND CHILD MINDERS
Health Department Day Nurseries
The three day nurseries were fully occupied throughout the year and the heavy demand
for places persisted. Staffing has been maintained at a high standard.
Each application for a nursery place is covered by a report from the health visitor
giving details of the need for admission and a note of the family conditions. All the
children accepted in the nurseries were within the priority classes for admission.
Some children are referred on medical advice for retarded development due to
unsatisfactory home conditions or lack of stimulation in the home. Many children
have language difficulties when admitted but they soon respond to the close contact
of other children and the general care provided.
The early care unit in the Shaftesbury House nursery (15 severely mentally subnormal
children) continued to provide a valuable service both by encouraging and
assisting the development of these very backward children and by giving their mothers
respite during the day. This is especially important for the mother who has more than
one handicapped child, or has several young children to care for.
The long waiting list for places emphasises the need for additional nurseries.
Planning continued during the year for the provision of two extra nurseries on
identified sites in Lee and Honor Oak and the provision of two further nurseries in
the second half of the Health Department's 10-year development programme was
approved by the Council.
Student nursery nurses received training in the day nurseries and the Brixton and
Southwark Colleges of Further Education. A satisfactory exchange arrangement with
students from the I.L.E.A. is in force and much appreciated particularly in view of
the extension of the nursery nurse certificate syllabus to cover the care of children up
to the age of seven years (previously five years). This arrangement will enable the
students to work in nursery classes and schools as well as in day and residential
nurseries. The Shaftesbury House day nursery has now been formally recognised as
a training nursery.
The following table shows the number of admissions and discharges for the three
day nurseries during the year:—

A number of improvements to the premises of the nurseries were effected during
the year. At Shaftesbury House new floor coverings and sanitary facilities were
improved. The kitchen was modernised and a french window was provided for the
playroom to give direct access to the garden. At Rushey Green, new floor coverings
brightened up the rooms considerably and a new washing machine was provided.
A new covered pram shed has proved most valuable. Food mixers have been provided
for all three nurseries.
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