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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.
During the year under the urban aid programme two local authority play groups were
opened. They were pre-fabricated buildings and are situated one in Southall and one in
West Ealing. They aim to cater for children aged 2^ to 5 years who are considered to be
socially deprived and they also admit a small number of handicapped children. Twentyfive
places are available at each group and there are separate morning and afternoon
sessions.
At the end of the year there 61 play groups in the borough, which included 15
registered for the first time during the year. Of the total 29 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.
CHILDMINDERS
The registration of childminders continued and by the end of the year there were
436 registered childminders in the borough which included 209 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 ill-health.
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.