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Priority is also given to handicapped children, those suffering from physical or mental defects and
those who fail to make satisfactory developmental progress owing to environmental deprivation.
Where necessary these children are placed in three special units in the day nurseries, but the less
severe cases are cared for in the ordinary nurseries.
The nurseries are bright and gay inside with pictures and handicrafts made by nurses, students
and children. These are often made out of "waste" materials such as brown paper, cartons, egg boxes,
paper tissues, string, cotton or woollen materials, etc. An exhibition of toys, musical instruments and
decorations made in the City Council's day nurseries was on show at the Conference on Maternal
and Child Welfare held at Church House, Westminster in June 1970, attended by medical officers
and health visitors from all overthe country.
Although more playgroups and toddler clubs are opening the need for day nursery places is still
indicated by the number of referrals for placements from doctors, health visitors, social workers and
child guidance clinics.
Over the years some of the day nurseries, especially in the Paddington area, have suffered from
break-ins and vandalism. Damage and financial loss were fortunately reasonably small, but on each
occasion considerable inconvenience was caused to the nursery staff, who are also always most
upset at finding their nursery in turmoil, and many of their hand made toys and art work destroyed.
In 1969 an increase in these incidents at one of the nurseries led to the installation of a burglar
alarm in October of that year, since when there have been only two attempted break-ins, both
forestalled by the sounding of the alarm. However, intruders then switched their attention to another
day nursery in the area, and in 1970, after three minor entries followed by two serious break-ins,
which resulted in the need to replace stolen articles and petty cash and repairs to the building,
amounting to approximately £560, approval was given to the installation of a burglar alarm at that
nursery. To date, this has proved to be a valuable deterrent.
Registration of persons and premises under the Nurseries and Child Minders Regulation
Act, 1948 as amended by Section 60 of the Health Services and Public Health Act, 1968
Under delegated authority the Medical Officer of Health is responsible to the City Council for the
registration under the amended Act of all child minders, private day nurseries and pre-school playgroups
in the City of Westminster. Initial inspection of the premises concerned with full discussion
with the applicants is undertaken by an assistant nursing officer. All improvements and additions
considered necessary to comply with the City Council's requirements must be completed before
registration. These requirements, imposed by Order of the Council, cover such aspects as the number
and age of the children who are received, staffing numbers and health of the staff, general safety of
the children, precautions regarding sickness, records, etc., all of which are contained in a Schedule
to which the applicant must agree as a pre-requisite to registration and subsequently must observe
at all times. After registration, the assistant nursing officer is responsible for the continuing supervision
of the playgroups and the private day nurseries. She is helped by a male administrative assistant
who deals with infringements and enforcement.
Child Minders
A steady flow of applicants wishing to register as child minders continues to be received. On the
Health Department's register there are many excellent minders, a number of whom are in receipt of
a retaining fee of £1 per week for which they agree to receive certain priority children nominated by
the Medical Officer of Health.
The Council's health visitors supervise all registered child minders closely and where the standard
is not so high, are endeavouring to improve it often with a good measure of success.
Pre-School Playgroups
The ever increasing public interest in playgroups for children aged 2-5 years continues. More and
more applications are received for registration from persons wishing to start new groups and as a
result, a wide variety of care is available catering for children with differing needs. Indeed, due to the
increasing numbers of groups in some areas, it is necessary to encourage prospective applicants to