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The Council's day nurseries provide for children whose families fall into either the
first or second categories of a scheme of priorities. When the needs of these two
categories have been met any places which remain unfilled are available for those in a
third category but the Council does not take into consideration the third category
when determining the need for day nursery accommodation. The first priority covers
children who have no mother or whose mothers are ill or are the sole providers in the
home, and children whose health might suffer through environmental factors (including
poor housing) if not admitted to a day nursery. The second priority provides for children
whose mothers are obliged to work because the father is unemployed or earns insufficient
to maintain a home. The third priority provides for children whose mothers go to work
but the father's income is higher than the amount which qualifies for the second priority.
Excessive provision is avoided by closing or amalgamating nurseries when the level
of attendances justifies such action and during 1956 nine maintained day nurseries were
-closed in pursuance of this policy or because the premises were no longer available.
A replacement nursery of 40 places was opened and the accommodation at another
maintained nursery was increased by ten places. The net reduction of places was 437.
Two training nurseries were among the nurseries closed and another was reduced
to non-training status. The number of training nurseries at the end of the year was 53
(51 maintained and two grant-aided).
The provisions allowances for children and staff were increased as a result of a review
of dietary scales and laboratory analysis of sample meals.
Occasional creches
In agreeing to a programme prepared in 1955 to establish 27 additional creches providing
53 sessions a week (which would make a total for the County of 34 creches providing
75 sessions a week) the Minister of Health did so on the understanding that the whole
cost—or practically the whole cost—would be recoverable in charges to parents.
After twelve months working of the programme 12 of the 27 additional creches had
been provided but due to low occupancy coupled with the number of free attendances
they were not self-supporting, little more than half the running costs being recovered
in charges.
The Council considered, however, that the creches had proved to be of real value to
mothers having to visit hospitals or needing occasional relief of the care of their children
whilst they attended to shopping and other domestic duties as well as to others living in
poor home conditions. The creches had also helped some children with mild behaviour
problems. It was thought that if active steps were taken to make the service better known
to mothers attendances might improve and it was decided that although no more
occasional creches should be opened the service should be continued pending a further
review.
The majority of the creches have accommodation for 20 children at each session.
Except in special circumstances attendances for a child at a creche are limited to two
sessions a week. No charge is made when a child is left in a creche whilst the mother is
attending a clinic or class held by the Council in the same premises. Otherwise a charge
of 1s. 3d. a session (raised to 1s. 9d. in 1957) for each child is made. The charge is waived
or abated in cases of need.