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Playgrounds are generally adequate, exceptions being at Kilburn Union Jack,
the Ardwick (Manchester) and Encombe Place (Salford), where there is little or no
room for play outside. At the Jellicoe and Somers Town the playgrounds, though
made good use of, are rather small. The Rachel McMillan, Rommany, Goldsmiths',
Mary Ward and the two open-air schools at Bradford are examples of schools with
specially good outdoor space. Playgrounds should be an essential for all nursery
schools. The betterment in the health of children transferred at the beginning of this
year from old premises without a garden in Rommany Road to the present open-air
building with a good garden in Gipsy Hill, has been remarked by all connected with
the school.
A defect in the accommodation of some nursery schools is the want of a room
recognised for isolation purposes.
Medical inspection and treatment.—Every school has a doctor who visits regularly
for medical inspection. The doctor for the provided schools is appointed by the
Local Authority. Voluntary schools as a rule have a private doctor living close at
hand, though the Rommany, Goldsmiths' College and Rachel McMillian (both
voluntary and L.C.C.) are inspected by a Council officer.
In most schools children are inspected once a term and in none less than once
in nine months or a year, special cases being examined more frequently. At Collyhurst
(Manchester) an open-air school for delicate children, the doctor visits fortnightly,
each child being inspected every two months.
Treatment for teeth, tonsils and minor ailments is nearly always obtained from
school clinics, and general medical treatment from hospitals or private doctors.
Most schools are near institutions where sunlight treatment is obtainable and few
are without some cases undergoing such treatment. In London the school doctor,
beyond advising as to cod liver oil, Parrish's food and the like, does not treat. At
Collyhurst he also directs a masseuse who visits the school four afternoons a week.
At St. Ann's, Bradford, general medical treatment is prescribed at school.
Nearly all schools have a nurse who visits daily or, exceptionally, at longer
intervals. A small minority have no nurse. In these cases a member of the staff
with some nursing experience undertakes the duties of inspection of the children for
cleanliness and infectious disease. At Collyhurst the school nurse visits for four
hours every morning.
In the event of an outbreak of infectious disease a doctor inspects immediately,
and the visits of the school nurse are, if necessary, increased. Most nursery schools
are near a clinic where medical advice on a doubtful case can at once be obtained.
In London the special measles scheme is put in force when advisable. When ill,
children from the Rachel McMillan Nursery School are visited at home by members
of the staff who see that medical treatment and even coals and blankets are
provided if necessary. In some other schools the sick are visited by the school
nurse.
School meals.—The rule is to provide milk and a biscuit or rusk shortly after
the school opens in the morning and a two-course dinner at mid-day. Two exceptions
are the Rachel McMillan School, which gives three meals a day (breakfast, dinner and
tea), and the Ardwick (Manchester), where no dinner but only morning milk is
provided. At the Goldsmiths' College School dinner is given only when the college
is in session.
At Collyhurst (Manchester), all children have, in addition to dinner and milk,
cod liver oil twice daily. At the Rachel McMillan all have cod liver oil in winter
and about a third in summer. At other nursery schools it is given mostly on the
doctor's recommendation.
Dinners are practically always well cooked, nourishing and varied. At London
Schools they are cooked on the premises, or in the case of the Mary Ward, in the
kitchen of a P.D. School close at hand. At two Manchester schools cooking is done
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