View report page

41
Nurseries and Child Minders Regulation Act, 1948
This Act requires the registration by the local authority of premises used as private day nurseries,
and of persons who undertake in their own homes, for reward, the minding of more than two children
from more than one household. In addition, the local authority is empowered to impose requirements
considered necessary in the interests of the children.
Initially, one of the City Council's medical officers inspects the premises to be used and advises the
proprietor of the Council's requirements which include, in appropriate cases. Town Planning
consent and the provision of satisfactory means of escape and fire precautions. On the facts
presented, the Medical Officer of Health determines the number of children who can be accommodated
and any other special requirements. After registration, periodic inspection by the City Council's
officers is undertaken in order to ensure continued compliance with the requirements.
Applications were received and approved for registration under the Act in respect of four private
day nurseries and two child minders, including the sponsored child minder mentioned on page 39;
the registrations of three nurseries and six child minders were cancelled. In all, the total number of
places available was increased by 27.
By the end of the year, there were 21 registered private day nurseries in Westminster available to
take 563 children of pre-school age. Only a small number of these nurseries accepts children for
a full day and provides a midday meal; the majority are open for the mornings or afternoons only.
Eleven child minders catering for 64 children were registered with the City Council.
Voluntary Child Minders
Women who look after one or two children under the age of five years in addition to their own
family are encouraged to register with the City Council as voluntary child minders. Before registration
the premises are visited by the Health Visitor who ensures that the child minder and the home
are suitable; thereafter the Health Visitor maintains general surveillance of the home. The minders
are paid a small fee by the City Council for which they are expected to take the children regularly
to the infant welfare centres. At 31st December, 1966 there were 63 voluntary child minders on
the register, authorised to mind 92 children.
Occasional Creches and Play Groups
The City Council provides twelve two-hourly occasional cr§che sessions per week at various
maternal and child welfare centres where children of mothers attending clinic activities or hospital
appointments are minded free of charge. Children are also accepted on payment of 1s. 9d. per
session to allow mothers to go shopping, etc. on their own. Approximately 125 children are
minded weekly in this way.
The need for playgroups in some areas of the City is continually growing and several new groups
run by voluntary organisations have been formed where the charge is within the means of the
parents to pay. These fulfil a need for children under five years of age of families who wish to have
their children looked after for part of a day, because of overcrowded home conditions or in the
interests of the children, thus giving them companionship and the opportunity for play in secure
surroundings. At 31st December 1966 there were 9 playgroups, catering for 237 children, known
to the City Council.
In appropriate cases, the City Council approves grants, renewable annually when necessary,
to assist these organisations with the purchase of furniture and play materials. Six playgroups
benefitted in this way during 1966.
FAMILY PLANNING
Under Sections 22 and 28 of the National Health Service Act 1946, local authorities can provide
without charge, family planning advice and treatment, either through their own clinic or by
arrangement with the local Family Planning Association, for women to whom pregnancy would be
detrimental to health. Under Part 3, Section 63, of this Act the Westminster City Council allows
the Family Planning Association to hold clinics in certain Health Service premises rent free.
In view of guidance from the Ministry of Health and bearing in mind the proposed government
legislation in regard to Family Planning, the City Council extended its services during 1966 to meet
increasing demands.
An additional doctor was employed at the Family Planning Clinic run by the City Council at the
M. & C. W. centre at 283A Harrow Road, W.9, and the Family Planning Association run three more
clinics than in the previous year in Health Service premises. Two of these were at existing Centres
and the third clinic opened in November at the Maternal & Child Welfare Centre, Marshall Street,
W.1. This is held on Tuesdays between 12.30 p.m. and 2.30 p.m. to provide a service in the Oxford
Circus area for working girls and women.