View report page

56
of almoners to the Council's field workers for mutual discussion and exchange of
information is still encouraged but all correspondence on arrangements for home
visiting and after care is conducted through the divisional medical officers. The
large majority of hospitals agreed to participate in this scheme, which will be
reviewed early next year.
Children neglected or ill treated in their own homes
In the report for 1950, reference was made to the joint circular issued by the
Home Office, the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Education inviting local
authorities to consider what might be done to prevent the neglect or ill-treatment of
children in their homes. The Council decided that the main objects of the joint circular
were being achieved under the Council's existing organisation. Measures were taken
in each division to bring together the Council's officers and the officers of other
official and voluntary bodies interested in the welfare of children in their own homes.
The aim of these measures was to co-ordinate the efforts of all concerned so that
neglect and ill-treatment might be prevented, or, if it had come to light too late,
suitably remedied. Neglect and ill-treatment often arise from the same conditions of
health and environment which produce juvenile delinquency and maladjustment and
form part of one great problem. An attempt to face the problem as a whole has been
planned in two divisions by the setting up of experimental conferences, to be attended
by all organisations, whether voluntary or statutory, who are interested in, or can
help, the children who live under these conditions. The conferences were due to meet
early in 1952, and their results are awaited with interest.
Day nurseries, creches and nursery play centres
The results of the comprehensive enquiry into the high costs of the day nursery
service carried out in the latter part of 1950 were examined in detail, and the following
action taken during 1951
(i) Weighting of registers.—In an endeavour to secure maximum occupation,
extra children were allowed on the registers up to 25 per cent, above the number
of approved places. This was done to offset absences due to illness, etc.
(ii) Introduction of a revised ratio of non-domestic staff to children.—A new
ratio was adopted of non-domestic staff to children of 1 : 3 and 1 : 8 for children
aged 0-2 and 2-5 years, respectively. This ratio was based on the number of
approved places in each of these age groups, with a relaxation of the standard
in day nurseries catering for children aged 2-5 years only. The ratio was subject
to the overriding consideration that in no day nursery should there be fewer
than five places for children of all ages to one unit of non-domestic staff.
(Hi) Institution of a revised ratio of nursery students to staff places.—The
former ratio of three nursery students to one staff place was replaced by a ratio
of 2 :1.
(iv) Reduction of the number of training nurseries.—The number of training
nurseries has been gradually reduced during the year by approximately one-third,
and the position will be reviewed early in 1952.
(v) Non-issue of children's overalls as a routine.—It was decided that overalls
or dungarees should be provided, washed and kept in good repair by the mothers
of children attending the day nurseries. A small stock of a simple type apron is
held in each day nursery for use in emergency or in cases of genuine hardship.
(vi) Hours of opening of day nurseries.—The hours of day nurseries generally
were fixed as 7.30 a.m. to 5.30 p.m. on Mondays to Fridays, with provision for
remaining open until 6 p.m. when local conditions so required. Nurseries which
were previously opening later than 7.30 a.m. have continued to do so as far as
practicable. Approval was given, in principle, to all day nurseries being closed