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APPENDIX D.
11th July, 1939.
NEED FOR DAY NURSERY.
Mothers make use of a day nursery in the following circumstances:—
1. Because they go out to work either from necessity or from a desire for a higher standard
of living or from inclination. (This is the main reason for the use of a day nursery.)
2. Because they are ill.
3. Because they have to be away from home temporarily, e.g., to attend hospital; to
look after a sick relative ; to do shopping.
Mothers' needs may be met in several ways:—
1. By the establishment of Day Nurseries (children up to 5 years).
2. By the establishment of Nursery Schools (children 2 to 5 years).
3. By the establishment of Nursery Classes attached to Public Elementary Schools
(children 3 to 5 years).
4. By the establishment of a system of day foster mothers (children up to 5 years).
5. By assisting the mother to stay at home to attend to the child (children up to 5 years).
Nos. 2 and 3 come within the province of the Education Committee of the Council and this
branch of work is developing in Willesden. The establishment of Nursery Schools and Classes
lessens the need for Day Nurseries, particularly as they are cheaper for the mothers than Day
Nurseries, but does not entirely do away with the need, as the hours during which Day Nurseries are
open more nearly correspond with the mothers' working hours than do the hours of Nursery Schools
and Classes, and children under 3 years of age are not admitted to Nursery Schools and Classes to
any extent.
Nos. 1, 4 and 5 can be undertaken by the Council under the Public Health Act, 1936, Section
204 and Circular M. & C. W. 4, paragraphs 31 and 33.
No. 5 would seem to be the natural solution of the difficulty and the one which would be in
the best interests of the mother and the child and the family generally from a public health point
of view. Nevertheless, it is doubtful if this would in all cases meet the mothers' views. It has to
be recognised that in not a few cases the mother finds going out to work more attractive than home
life, and even if there is no actual necessity for her to go out to work she may desire the extra money
for a higher standard of living. It should be observed that if method No. 5 were adopted it would
be very difficult to say who should or should not be going out to work.
No. 4 most nearly approximates No. 5 when No. 5 is not possible.
In view of the increasing number of Nursery Schools and Classes, it is likely that Nos. 4 and 5
would meet the remaining cases, the majority of which would be under 2 years of age and these
are certainly better in their mothers' care.
Applications received by the Health Department during 1938 for daily care
of children.
Health Centre (1) 6
Health Centre (2) 10
Health Centre (3) 6
54 Winchester Avenue 8
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PRINCESS DAY NURSERY, 47 AND 49, CHICHESTER ROAD, N.W.6.
Attendances.
The number of places for children under 5 years of age is 52.
The Nursery is open on Mondays to Fridays, both days inclusive, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
The children pay 10d. a day which includes two meals.
The attendances during the past 5 years have been as follows
Year. Attendances. Daily Average.
1934-35 8,099 37
1935-36 8,894 42
1936-37 7,552 38*
1937-38 7,508 36
1938-39 7,639 37
* Note by Dr. Shattock in Annual Report as follows:—" The number of children attending the Nursery is
below that of the previous year, the diminution being mainly among the older children. The fall in numbers is
probably temporary and due to the opening of nursery classes for children over three in a school in the neighbourhood.
The proportionate increase in toddlers and infants at the Day Nursery has thrown more work on the staff
in charge of these children and may necessitate some rearrangement in the routine of the Nursery."
In 1931 the Nursery was arranged for:—
8 children under the age of 1 year.
20 children between 1 and 2½ years.
24 children between 2½ and 5 years.
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