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Medical Inspection.
The children have been regularly examined by the Medical Officers from the various Health Centres. Many
minor ailments have been treated and small defects righted. In this part of the work we have had the co-operation
of the Clinic Matrons and Health Visitors. The Medical Officers take an active interest in the diet and health of the
children.
Immunisation against Diphtheria has been carried out in the nurseries, but there are still a few mothers with
a prejudice against immunisation.
Toys.
The National Fire Service Station at Stonebridge Park have presented toys to Braintcroft and Wesley Road
Nurseries. The toys were strong and most suitable for the children and were much appreciated. We were honoured
by the presence of His Worship the Mayor and Mayoress at the Wesley Road presentation.
The Education Department presented the nurseries with a magnificent collection of toys made by the various
schools in Willesden. The toy situation which is always difficult has been eased by these efforts.
Clothing, Etc.
The W.V.S. have continued to make the garments for the new Nurseries, and Mrs. Baldwin to mark the new
linen at Braintcroft Stores. The Neasden Housewives' Club continue to knit garments for the nurseries. Many garments
have been knitted by the Senior Girls' Schools in Willesden.
Building and Repairs.
The type of building set up has been improved. Crest Road and Villiers Road are a great improvement on
the fiat-roofed type of hut.
Unfortunately many minor repairs are necessary to the Nurseries all the year round, and owing to the shortage
of labour, repairs have to wait, causing much inconvenience and minor irritation. The air raids fortunately caused
only minor damage at one nursery.
Training of Students.
During the year 20 Students have been placed in the nurseries for training. The practical training of 18 months
is carried out at the nursery, and the students attend lectures at either Hammersmith School for Women, Lime Grove,
or the North Western Polytechnic. Several students should be taking the National Society of Children's Nurseries
Examination in November, 1944. Many more students could be placed in Willesden if suitable applicants were
forthcoming. There seems to be a lack of interest for this career, probably due to the large call of industry. The
elementary school girl is welcomed for training, but it is felt that 14 years is too young to embark upon this career, as
the Diploma cannot be taken until the student is 17 years of age. The ideal age is 15½ to 16½ years. The raising of
the school leaving age would bridge this gap.
Training of Nursery Assistants.
Eleven Nursery Assistants are attending lectures to enable them to sit for the Nursery Nurses' Diploma. The
Nursery Assistants pay their own fees for the lectures and examination. When these assistants have obtained their
diploma, they will be able to take a post of more responsibility and should be capable of holding a Staff Nurse's post
in a War-time Nursery.
REGISTERED DAILY GUARDIANS.
The scheme of the Ministry of Labour and National Service for Registered Daily Guardians came into operation
in Willesden in May, 1942, and is operated from the Health Centres. Suitable guardians are registered at the Health
Centres and notified as to the number of daily children they may take and the Labour Exchange is informed.
Mothers are put in touch with Guardians if necessary. The mother makes her own arrangements with the Guardian
as regards the care and feeding of the children and the weekly sum payable. The Labour Exchange makes an additional
payment to the Guardian of 4/- in respect of each child under five years cared for on four or more days a week and
2/— for one to three days per week. The Exchange looks into the question of whether the mother's employment is
war work.
The Coyncil's Health Visitors supervise the Registered Daily Guardians and pay not less than monthly visits
to them.
At the end of 1943 133 Daily Guardians were registered to take 202 children. Of these 133 guardians 90
actually had children in their care at the end of the year. These 90 had 118 children in their care thereby releasing
108 mothers for work. The guardians were not women who would have been out at work even if they had not taken
daily children. Their care of these children was therefore not detracting from the war effort.
The objections to this scheme are that the 4/- is an inadequate contribution from the Government and the
forms deter some people from making use of the scheme. If a mother can get her child into a War-time Nursery for
1 /- per day or 6/- per week she is not likely to show much enthusiasm for a scheme under which she has to pay the
bulk of the daily guardian's fee. At a nursery all food is supplied and the full rations are still available for home use.
This is not so in the case of Daily Registered Guardians. Certain clothing is also supplied in the nurseries which saves
wear and tear of the children's own clothing and a considerable amount of laundry work is done for them at the
nursery.