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At the end of the year, 58 children were on the attendance roll, and details of
the categories into which they fell are given below. At that time 22 children were
on the waiting list. Fourteen mothers, who had applied for places for their children
in a day nursery, had made other arrangements by the time places could be offered.
Unsupported mothers 32
Mother's ill-health 5
Financial circumstances 6
Handicapped children 8
Unsatisfactory home conditions 3
Motherless children 4
In Ministry of Health Circular 18/67 it was indicated that the recommendations
regarding the protection of organised groups of children — such as children cared
for in a local health authority's day nurseries — against the risk of infection by
adults suffering from tuberculosis, had been reviewed and authorities were recommended
to require a routine schedule of chest X-rays of staff. An extension only
of the present requirements of the council in respect of chest X-rays of staff would
be necessary in order to comply with these recommendations and this was still
under consideration at the end of the year.
Creches
No creches are provided by the council in the borough. It is proposed to
provide a creche at the new health centre in Hertford Road, Edmonton.
Nurseries and Child Minders
Under the Nurseries and Child Minders Regulation Act, 1948, a local health
authority shall make arrangements for the keeping of registers and the supervision
of nurseries and child minders.
During 1967 there were 13 applications for registration of premises as day
nurseries, and all were approved, making a total of 33 day nurseries providing
places for 873 children at the end of the year.
Three of the new applications were for council clinic premises, which were
made available to members of the Enfield and District Pre-School Playgroups
Association without charge.
Applications for registration as child minders were received from 12 persons
during the year and all were approved making a total of 20 registered child minders
in the borough at the end of the year, providing care for 147 children.
The council are very much aware of the big and growing demand in the
community for day placement of children.
Continuing negotiations between the council and the Enfield and District PreSchool
Playgroups Association have been taking place throughout the year concerning
the ways in which, by a joint approach, the service can be augmented and
improved.
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