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21.
graduated exorcises specially designed to correct his condition.
I am indebted to the Director of Education for the following notes of
the main developments likely to affect the health of children, which had taken
place in the educational services during the year, and should like to tender my
thanks to the Director and his staff for their continued co-operation.
"1. CHILDREN UNDER 5 YEAR OF AGE.
In accordance with the suggestions contained in Board
of Education Circular 1573, arrangements have been made for
the admission of children undor 5 years of age to Elementary
Infant Departments. On 1st October there were 753 such
children attending 25 departments. The opening of Infant Schools
to children under five is a valuable contribution to the release
of women for industry.
2. PLAY CENTRES.
Pour Play Centres have been established at the
following schools:-
Average daily number at
present on roll.
Childs Hill School 73
Clitterhouse School 47
Goldbeaters School 76
The Meads School 34
TOTAL 230
The total number of teas served during the week ended 2nd October
was 967.
3. PROVISION OF MEALS.
Two Central Kitchens have been established at Algernon Road
and Bell Lane Schools which provide over 3,500 meals daily.
In addition there arc kitchens at Orange Hill Central School and
R.C. School of the Annunciation which provide 300 and 200 meals
daily respectively. The latest figure shows that 20,339 meals
were served during one week at 28 school canteens for children
attending 46 school departments. Approximately 30% of children
on the school rolls arc receiving meals daily. The Education
Committee have forwarded a scheme to the Board of Education for
increasing this figure to a ceiling of 10,000 meals a day which is
75% of the children on the school rolls.
4. CARE OF CHILDREN DURING HOLIDAYS.
Six school centres were established in the area during
the Summer Holidays at which 503 children promised to attend.
The actual daily average attendance was 263, representing only
l.9% of tho number of children on roll. During the period
facilities were afforded for meals and milk to be provided at
various schools. Unfortunately the demand for school meals
dropped from over 20,000 a week to less than 3,400. Moreover,
at the last count taken on the 6th October, 14,624 thirds of
a pint ofmilk were consumed, whereas the average daily
consumption during the Midsummer Holidays was 1,063 thirds of
a pint.
5. WAR TIME DAY NURSERY.
A War-time Day Nursery was opened at Broadfields
Avenue Council School for children between the ages of 2
and 5 years whose mothers are engaged on war work.