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46
Staffing of Day Nurseries : Ratio and Remuneration
as from 1st April, 1946.
The Exchequer grant will be payable as from 1st April,
1946, on the basis of (i) the existing ratio of full-time staff
(including a warden, but excluding domestic staff) of one to
five children on the register, and (ii) the existing rates of pay
in war-time nurseries, subject to any modifications which may
subsequently be recommended. In training nurseries three
probationers will count for the purposes of the ratio referred
to, as the equivalent of one member of staff.
After consideration of above Joint Circular, and the report
of the Medical Officer of Health thereon, the Council decided that;
as from 1st April, 1946, the two existing War-time Nurseries
should continue to be administered by the Welfare Authority;
that a Joint Committee of representatives of the Maternity and
Child Welfare Committee and of the Ley ton Interim Education
Committee be set up to consider future policy with regard to
nursery provision for children under five years; that the charges
should continue at the existing rate of 1s. per day in respect of
each child attending a nursery; and that the question of the
categories of children to be admitted should be def rred pending
the submission of observations. by the Medical Officer of Health
on the matter.
Report by the Medical Officer of Health (March, 1946).
Analysis of Withdrawals. In 1943 I submitted a special
report (later published in my Annual Report for that year)
showing the actual period of attendance at the Day Nurseries
of the 152 children who had been withdrawn since the nurseries
opened (i.e., over a period of one year). The periods during
which these children attended were:—
Less than 1 week 48 children
„ „ 4 weeks 36 „
„ „ 8 weeks 27 ,,
More than 8 weeks 41 ,,
152 „
It has now been possible to collect similar information
regarding the 368 children who have been withdrawn since the
nurseries opened. Of these 368 children, only 60 remained