London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
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Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
Dagenham 1961
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Dagenham]
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DAY NURSERY ATTENDANCES JANUARY—DECEMBER 1961
| Day Nursery | Number of approved places | Average daily attendance | Average No. on register | Total Attendances | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Goresbrook | 50 | 29.8 | 41.7 | 7,530 | ||||||||
| Chadwell Heath | 54 | 35.6 | 49.2 | 9,021 | ||||||||
| TOTALS | 104 | 65.4 | 90.9 | 16,551 | ||||||||
| Nursery | Widows | Parents separated | Desertion | Illness of mother | Illness of father | Unmarried mothers | Socioeconomic | Mothers working to supplement income | Total | |||
| Goresbrook | 1 | 10 | 2 | 6 | 1 | 5 | 6 | 34 | 65 | |||
| Chadwell Heath | 1 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 30 | 44 | |||
| Number of children in all nurseries 1961 | 2 | 13 | 3 | 8 | 3 | 6 | 10 | 64 | 109 | |||
The good work of the day nurseries has continued throughout the year. On the
whole, the average daily attendances were much the same as in 1960—slightly higher in
Goresbrook (29.8 compared with 28.8) and slightly lower in Chadwell Heath (35.6 compared
with 37.3). These are, of course, still well below capacity, as both nurseries can
take 50—54 children.
The reasons for attending the nursery do not vary much. Social or economic
difficulty—invalidism of parents or absence of one parent—all these reasons make it
essential for a nursery service to be kept running.
The handicapped children now attend Kingsley Hall Nursery, but we have many
children sent to Goresbrook and Chadwell Heath for behaviour problems which are
more easily dealt with in a nursery atmosphere than at home.
Both nurseries are recognised by the Ministry as training centres for nursery nurses,
and vacancies for students are quickly filled.
The staff continue to give loyal service and both nurseries are happy places for the
children and the people looking after them.
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