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4. DAY CARE OF CHILDREN
PRE-SCHOOL PLAY GROUPS
Pre-school play groups are now recognised as making an important contribution to the social
education of children and therefore, as well as being the registering authority under the Nurseries and
Child Minders Regulation Act, 1948, the Council also encourages these groups by financial assistance.
At the end of the year there were 36 play-groups in the borough, which included 6 that were
registered for the first time during the year. Of the total, 12 which conformed to the Council's code
of practice were in receipt of a Council grant, this being one-third of the rent of the premises used,
to a maximum of £100 per annum.
CHILD MINDERS
The Nurseries and Child Minders Regulation Act, 1948 was amended by Section 60 of the Health
Services and Public Health Act, 1968. This was backed by two Departmental Circulars outlining
model standards for the supervision of child minders. The main effects of the new legislation were:-
(i) All persons minding children for a period of over two hours for reward are now required to
register.
(ii) The numbers of children minded are restricted to three children by one adult and seven
children if there are two adults
The legislation was introduced towards the end of the year and a start was made on the task of
registration and organisation of supervision.
At the end of the year there were 34 registered child minders in the borough which included 12 who
were registered for the first time during the year.
DAY NURSERY SERVICE
The Day Nursery Service is provided for the care of children aged three months to five years who
are in the priority group. The following circumstances constitute a priority:-
1. Where the mother is unsupported or for certain other reasons has to go out to work as an
economic necessity.
2. Where home conditions are unsatisfactory from a health point of view or the mother is in illhealth.
3. Where the child is handicapped. Particularly this applies to a physical handicap, impairment
of hearing or sight, or when the child is maladjusted.
4. If the parents are deaf and dumb
The Council has five day nurseries with a total of 224 places, the details of which are given below: -
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