View report page

17
Help Service by Local Authorities. Women were to be employed,
either whole time or part time, to help the old and sick who were
unable to obtain domestic service at a figure which they could
afford. This scheme was adopted by the Borough Council, and in
January 1945 the first Domestic Help was engaged on a part time
basis. Gradually a small staff was built up until by December 1945
there were 3 full time Domestic Helps and 2 part time. It was not
easy to get suitable persons and, as always happens with such a
service, the work came in rushes. At times the staff would be
overwhelmed with calls, while at other times they were comparatively
free. 58 cases were attended during the year. 6 who made
application, later cancelled the arrangements.
Day Nurseries.
War-time Nurseries. Opened. Places.
Horn Lane 30.3.42. 60
Friars Place Lane 4.8.42. 45
Longcot 15.10.42. 44
Birkbeck Road:
(a) Birkbeck House for under 2's 11.1.43. 30
(b) Maples House for over 2's 22.2.43. 46
Municipal Day Nursery, Bollo Br. Rd. Pre-War 35
During the first three months of 1945, there was an epidemic of
Measles in all the Nurseries (in common with the rest of the country)
and attendances dropped very much. No new admissions are made
to a Nursery while it is in quarantine for Measles, unless the child
has had the disease and the mother accepts full responsibility for
the child's admission, all risks having been explained to her.
Contrary to expectations, the end of the war brought no
slackening in demand for places at the Day Nurseries. There was
still obviously a local need for women in industry, thereby creating
the continued necessity for Day Nurseries to care for their children.
The following Table gives the average daily attendances at the
War-Time Nurseries:
Under 2.
Over 2.
Horn Lane
13.1
25.6
Friars Place Lane
10.9
25.8
Longcot
13.7
20.1
Birkbeck Rd. & The Maples
20.2
36.5