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(d) The maximum penalties for offences were considerably increased.
(e) Applicants for registration were required, in future, to state whether they,
their staff, and anyone else aged sixteen years or more living on the
premises, had ever been disqualified from taking foster children under the
Children Act, 1958, or had ever had a child removed from their care
under the Adoption Act, 1958.
(f) For Child Minders, local authorities were empowered,
(i) in fixing the maximum number of children who could be cared for,
to disregard other children in the household who, when present, do not
place an extra burden on the Child Minder,
(ii) to make requirements as to staff, safety and the maintenance of the
premises and equipment, arrangements for feeding and diet, and record
keeping,
(iii) to undertake inspections on the same basis as that already authorised
for premises registered as Day Nurseries.
Ministry of Health Circular 36/68 gave advice on the day to day operation
of the 1948 Act (as amended).
The Council considered the matters arising from the amended legislation and
the Ministry Circular, and decided :
(1) to authorise certain officers, including all Health Visitors, to have power
of entry and inspection in respect of Child Minders;
(2) that each applicant for registration be required—
(a) to complete a declaration of health for each person employed, or
proposed to be employed, in looking after the children (including the
child minder herself) and each person who has attained the age of
16 years and who is normally resident at the premises;
(b) to undertake to inform the Council of the occurrence of any subsequent
mental or physical illness;
(3) that persons specified in the recommendations above be required to present
a satisfactory report of an X-ray examination of the chest prior to registration
and at 3-yearly intervals;
(4) that references on behalf of an applicant be not required;
(5) that certain records should be kept in respect of each child by child minders
and the proprietors of nurseries;
(6) that publicity be given to the amended provisions throughout the borough.
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