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79
The children, both at the nursery classes and at the nursery school, were watched
by Dr. Nora Cotter, from whose report the following account is taken :—
To carry out this experiment, forty-six children corresponding in age and sex were selected
from the Raleigh nursery classes and the Old Church Road nursery school. The children in each
group were examined at the beginning and end of the experiment, and at least once each term.
The conditions under which the experiment was carried out made estimates of the comparative
value of the nursery classes and the nursery school difficult. The latter group had already spent
1½ to 2 years in the congenial and beneficial environment of the nursery school. The irregular
attendance and the removal from the register of children in the nursery class group made records
of many children valueless. The attendance of the nursery school group was very regular. The
records of all the selected children were available at the end of the year, with the exception of
three children who had left the district for better housing conditions on the Council's estates.
For purposes of comparison, it was possible to use the records of 72 children, 36 in each
group. Each group consisted of children born in 1933, i.e., 12 boys and 8 girls; children born in
1932, i.e., 8 boys and 8 girls.
The special health measures carried out in the nursery classes were similar to those described
above at Senior-street.
The nursery class group were in two rooms on the ground floor, opening directly on the
playground. The rooms, suitably decorated and furnished, were provided with adequate lavatory,
sanitary and cloakroom arrangements. Every effort was made to obtain the maximum benefit
from nursery class amenities.
The nursery school group enjoyed the special conditions of a first class open-air nursery
school—unlimited space and fresh air, good food, adequate mid-day sleep and suitable companionship
from 8.30 a.m. to 4.30 p.m. In addition, 82 per cent, of this group had the advantage
of three weeks' summer holiday at the sea or in the country, living under ideal conditions.
For purposes of comparison the following points were specially noted and recorded: (a)
Nutritional level and gains in weight and height. (6) Incidence of dental caries, (c) Incidence of
infectious disease.
(а) In comparing the average weights of the two groups at the beginning and end of the experimental
year with the standard London table of averages, as would be expected the nutritional
standard of the children of the nursery school was higher than that of the nursery class group,
both at the beginning and end of the year.
The average gains in weight during the year were : nursery class, 1.98 kg.; nursery school,
2.53 kg. The average gains in height were : nursery class, 6.13 cm. ; nursery school, 6.42 cm.
(b) Of the children in the nursery class group, 52 per cent, were suffering from dental
caries. Advantage had not been taken of the facilities offered at the child welfare centres for
dental treatment before entering school. Dental treatment was obtained during the year in 56
per cent.
The children in the nursery school group having had medical and dental supervision for two
years were all free from dental decay. During the year many of the nursery school group attended
the dental centre for conservative dental treatment. In these circumstances a comparison between
the two croups as to the spread and incidence of dental decay is impossible.

Ihe daily visit of the school nurse, with the consequent early detection of illness, contributed
to the low incidence of infection in both groups.
From information obtained from the care committee secretaries and health visitors, and
from personal experience as medical officer of child welfare centres in Stepney, it was known
that 50 per cent, of the children in the nursery class group and all the children in the nursery
school group were living under conditions unsuitable for the proper mental and physical development
of a child from 2 to 5 years. Studying the individual records of the nursery class group,
it was found that the children who derived most benefit from the scheme were those who were
free from physical defects and receiving good food and adequate rest at home. The nursery class
conditions do not wholly meet the needs of the children who, through home circumstances, are
unable to have the rest, food, and scope for childish activity which are so essential.
Medical inspection and treatment—Day continuation schools, evening institutes and
junior instruction centres
With a view to closing to some extent the " gap " which exists between the
medical care of children in school and the operation of the health service of the
National Health Insurance scheme, the Council authorised in 1934 as an experiment
the voluntary medical inspection of pupils aged 14 to 16 attending day continuation
schools and certain selected evening institutes. These arrangements have been
continued in 1937.
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