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The Matrons of the nurseries have submitted the following observations.
Mrs. E. Maddison (Goresbrook)
"Most of the children admitted into the nursery are a fine healthy type, fairly well
clothed and good footwear though there is always the odd one wearing soft slippers.
The young mothers are very co-operative and friendly, willing to take advice when
necessary. They are keen on their children having the necessary injections and innoculations
and this is done at the nursery by the doctor.
The reason for most of the mothers going out to work a full time job is housing
conditions. Some live in one room perhaps with in-laws and the playing space for a
child is limited or lacking. It is surprising the number of fathers that are interested in
the nursery; they ask about diets, rest periods, and all the activities that go on daily.
Recently we have had all the floors tiled in gay pretty colours making the nursery
look homely and cosy."
Miss P. Coffee (Chadwell Heath)
"It seems that the nursery nowadays is providing accommodation not so much for
the deprived child, as the child who comes from a united family. The need now for
young couples to buy their own house necessitates the mother going out to work to
supplement the family income to enable them to either save for a deposit on a house,
or to repay the mortgage.
The nursery also gives a great deal of freedom to those children living in restricted
surroundings i.e., flats, furnished rooms etc., but I feel that even more provision could
be made in the form of play centres for the 3—5 year old age group (especially only
children) in the area, the parents of whom often make enquiries at the nursery to see if
we can accept the children for short periods because as they say "he hasn't anyone to
play with." Whilst feeling sympathy for these children we must point out that primarily
the nurseries are for children whose mothers need to go out to work.
One thing that does happen with some new parents is that quite unjustifiably they
develop a "guilt complex" about leaving the children all day and compensate by giving
too many sweets, being lax in discipline and by over indulging generally, often resulting
in difficult relationships between parent and child. Usually we are aware of this, and
can advise the parents accordingly.
Perhaps one obstacle that we in nurseries must overcome, is that many uninformed
people believe that the children are just "minded" by people who happen to like children.
When first coming to the nursery people are often amazed at the things the children do
learn, and then become most appreciative of the fact that the children are cared for by a
trained and experienced staff who also "happen to like children."
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