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20
CHILDREN UNDER 5 YEARS OF AGE:
As the influence of the recent increase in the birth
rate makes itself felt by the number of children reaching
compulsory school age less space is, and will be, available
in the infant schools for children below school age. Unfortunately,
therefore, until new buildings are provided to
accommodate the infants it has been increasingly necessary
to limit the admission of the under fives although the
demand for places had been as heavy as hitherto.
Whereas in 1945 there were 594 such children in
attendance at 26 schools, there were only 490 children
under five years of age in 24 schools at the corresponding
time in 1948. Of these only 51 were between the age
of 3 and 4 and were located in four schools. At the same
time, some 290 children were on the registers of the
nursery schools associated with the seven day nurseries.
ATTENDANCE:
Throughout the year attendance was well maintained
at approximately 90% each week. Only during certain
weeks in the spring term, when weather conditions and
illness are likely to cause a falling off in attendance, was
there any noticeable drop in the school averages. A few,
Algernon Road, Wessex Gardens, Sunnyfields and the
Garden Suburb Infants' Schools fell below 75% for some
four or five weeks during the year but otherwise the
school attendance gave no indication of general ill-health
other difficulties.
SCHOOLS MEALS AND MILK:
Since the last report, further extensions have been
made in the School Meals Service although it is not yet
possible to provide a meal for all children who require it.
The central kitchens which provide the largest number of
meals have been over-producing throughout the year but
even so waiting lists have to be made at some schools.
Only one school is now without school meals.