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commenced much more expeditiously than hitherto owing to the
application of an income scale permitting agreements being entered
into immediately the estimates of the Dental Surgeons are received.
The numbers treated to date hardly justify other arrangements
as yet, the present scheme appearing to be the best that can be evolved
to deal with the demand so far experienced in this District.
DAY NURSERIES.
There are two Day Nurseries maintained in this District chiefly
by voluntary subscriptions, but towards each of which the Council
makes an annual grant equivalent to approximately one-third of the
total cost of the Day Nurseries.
The Purley Day Nursery has now accommodation for an average
of 33 children, while the Coulsdon Day Nursery can take an average
of 23. The total attendances during 1937 were 5,391 and 6,471
respectively.
For the population of the District, such accommodation is relatively
high as compared with the Country as a whole, but both Nurseries do
very useful work. It is recognised, however, that compared with other
forms of Infant Welfare work, apart from residential treatment, the
provision of Nurseries is much the most expensive type of work undertaken
or subsidised by the Council. There is also a divergence of opinion
as to how far mothers should be encouraged to leave their homes in
order, usually, to supplement the family income. Undoubtedly there
are few, if any, of those now using the Nurseries who do not definitely
need to provide or augment their incomes. At the same time there
are approximately 138 mothers resident in the Urban District with
children under 5 years of age now going out to work, hence the necessity
for providing more accommodation requires consideration, but would
not appear to be extremely urgent.
In view of the fact that the Surrey County Council as Educational
Authority has had under consideration the provision of Nursery Classes
at the schools in the District, it has not been considered advisable to
vary the grants made by the Council during the current year.
CHILD LIFE PROTECTION.
The Health Visitors are all recognised Infant Life Protection Officers.
During the year 23 foster mothers have been under supervision,
37 children being distributed amongst the Homes, 7 of which Homes
were entered on the register for the first time during the year.
During the same period, 2 foster mothers removed from the District,
while 4 registrations were cancelled, 3 by request, and 1 owing to the
unsuitability of the Home.
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