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37
The Nursery is divided into two sections, one for babies under one and a half years, and
the other for children over that age; an improvement for working purposes might be effected with
a separate nursery for children between one and two years.
The Nurseries are most attractive. The Baby Nursery is furnished in pink, and each baby
has his or her own cot with a play-pen and buffer chairs for the sitting-up babies.
The bigger children, our "grown-ups," have their Nursery furnished with chairs and tables
of primrose yellow, and delight in climbing their "Abbatt Frame" and dancing to the piano
kindly presented by Councillor Mrs. Christie, the Chairman of the Maternity and Child Welfare
Committee.
Children of all ages up to five years are taken and our youngest was fourteen days old.
All children up to three years are bathed immediately on reception and changed into nursery
clothes.
Children over three years are bathed alternate days, boys one day, girls the next, and wear
nursery overalls and knickers.
The children have three meals:—
(i) Breakfast, consisting of porridge and fried bread in winter, or bread, butter and
marmite, or bread and dripping.
(ii) Dinner is varied, but stewed fruit or vegetables are given every day. We find that
the simplest dinners are the most liked and very quickly the children settle into habits of
good appetite and clean plates.
(iii) Tea. The children have brown bread and butter with svrup, jam or honey, and
fresh fruit every day. Milk is given to drink.
Pure Cod Liver Oil is given during the winter and extras, such as Malt and Iron Tonics,
where ordered by the Medical Officer.
The children are examined by the Medical Officer on entry, and as a routine measure every
month afterwards, unless they appear to need medical attention in the interim.
The garden planted with bulbs and other plants by Councillor Mrs. Christie is also a great
delight—the only drawback being the distance from the bathroom, which necessitates the small
children having to be carried upstairs every time they require attention.
The mothers are working-women and seem to greatly appreciate the care given to the
children. We frequently hear remarks about the brightness of the surroundings and the happy
faces of the Staff and children.
Matron and the Staff would like to say how much they appreciate the wireless set so kindly
given by Councillor Mrs. Lewis-Barned and the many gifts of toys made from time to time by
the generosity of various people.
PROVISION OF MILK FOR NECESSITOUS MOTHERS AND CHILDREN.
The Scheme hitherto in force in connection with Grants of extra nourishment for necessitous
mothers and children was under revision at the end of the year.
Particulars of Milk Grants Doting 1936.
(1935 figures in brackets.)
The total number of grants considered by the "Grants" Sub-Committee during the year was
3,855 of which 751 represented new applications. These latter were divided up as follows:—
Number of Refused, withdrawn or referred
New Applications. Granted. to Public Assistance Committee.
Fresh Milk 653 (673) 563 (582) 90 (91)
Dried Milk 96 (87) 96 (87) — (-)
Dinners 2 (7) 2 (7) — (—)
751 (767) 661 (676) 90 (91)