View report page

The increased charges for day nursery accommodation resulted in a considerable
reduction in numbers of children accommodated there. Unfortunately, there does not
appear to be any reduction of the reasons for admission as adverse housing conditions,
invalidism of one or more parent, illegitimacy, widowhood, divorce etc., are still manifest
and it may be that the parents seek a less satisfactory method of securing care for their
children.
After the initial drop in numbers attending, the position stabilised with smaller
average attendances. A number of families took advantage of nursery facilities providing
for short term stay of a few weeks or few months during the mother's illness. This
facility, providing as it does a relief for the parents and security for the child during a
very difficult time, proved a very satisfactory arrangement.
There has been a small but constant attendance of handicapped children at all the
nurseries throughout the year, continuing the policy we started in 1957.
Chadwell Heath Nursery had a child with spastic paraplegia for the greater part of
the year. The child attended the orthopaedic clinic twice a week, accompanied by some
member of the nursery staff, and gradually most of the staff learnt how to help the child
with exercises and how best to handle him.
37