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consider alternative sites. The staff assists with advice and guidance, and the City Council, in the
undermentioned cases, gives financial help towards the running expenses of the groups:—
Organisation No. of groups
City of Westminster Health Society 5
Save the Children Fund 4*
Westminster Council of Social Service 2
Inner London Pre-School Playgroups Association 5
(* Includes one playgroup in Welfare Department accommodation)
There are now four playgroups run directly by the Health Department, three in Maternal and Child
Welfare Centres and one in outside premises.
The following details show the position as at 31st December, 1970, in respect of the number of
child minders and premises registered, the number of children concerned and other relevant
information.
Child Minders 1970 1969
No. of registered child minders 144 87
No. of children accommodated in homes of registered child minders 347 194
No. of applications under consideration 22
No. of child minders who are being paid a retaining fee 16 18
Private Day Nurseries
No. of applications registered 10 8
No. of children accommodated in premises now registered 330 182
Playgroups etc.
No. of applications registered 33 17
No. of children accommodated in premises now registered 1120 428
Eleven applications for the opening of day nurseries and playgroups are under consideration for
registration, which will provide between 250-300 places if final registration is effected in each case.
One playgroup closed during the year due to the lack of local support.
Services provided by the City Council's Health Department
City Council Day Nurseries 1970 1969
No. of premises 8 8
No. of children accommodated 450 450
City Council Playgroups
No. of playgroups *4 3
No. of children accommodated 112 52
City Council Occasional Creches
No. being held 7 7
No. of children being catered for 100 100
*During the year, the City Council opened a fourth playgroup at the Stowe Boys Club, Harrow
Road, W.2, providing facilities for 20 children in the mornings, and a further 20 in the afternoons.
All the places were filled almost at once and the group has proved to be highly successful and
popular.