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The number of children's attendances increased during 1963. We have a
bigger demand for the three to five age group. Rarely are we called upon
to admit a very young baby to the nursery; this is very unfortunate for us
as we would like small infants to help to improve the facilities for the
training of nursery students.
To the joy of all the children we were given a record player; classical
and modern "pop" music are both greatly appreciated.
We are very proud of our Day Nursery. The staff are doing a very
satisfying job, and it grieves us very much, as has happened on occasions, to
find the nursery has been broken into and equipment has been taken; usually
the culprits leave a terrible mess for us to clean up.
We were fortunate this year as we have had very few cases of infectious
disease in the nursery."
Observations of the Matron on Chadwell Heath Day Nursery during 1963s-
"One thing I feel that is of tremendous importance is the further
training of trained nursery staff. This in fact has taken place in the last
two years at our nursery, where si* of us have attended either Child Care
Reserve Courses, or, as in the case of my Deputy and I, refresher courses in
Birmingham. These courses we all felt were of great help to us and the
nursery; the opportunity to visit similar establishments throughout
Birmingham and London made us able to compare notes on how other nurseries
are run.
Refreshing, too, is the chance to meet other people, both lecturers
and nursery staff.
The untrained nursery assistant benefits particularly from these
courses, as. the only knowledge she has gained is usually from one nursery.
I would wish that more places were available in our nursery for training,
as so many suitable girls are turned away to take up other, perhaps
less worthy, careers.
One more thing about staff, less important perhaps, is the overalls
they wear. The trend in recent years towards less uniform wear is ideal in
that the nylon overalls are more easily laundered. It would be an improvement,
however, if as well as being practical they could be smarter in
design, with prettier materials, perhaps a checked gingham with white
collars. These I feel would look so much more professional, and be a
pleasure to wear.
During this past year we have made use of the other services available
in the borough. For instance our children have become "borrowers"
from the Chadwell Heath Library, where we receive great assistance. We
also belong to the picture lending library, and now our hall and toddler
nursery have a cultural air with borrowed reproductions of famous paintings!!
The last thing I would like to comment on is the pleasure and interest
that the news of a new nursery has caused. It is most encouraging that
rather than closing these services, as has so often happened in some areas,
it is felt that it is necessary not only to keep the service going, but to
improve and expand it."
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