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Increased Charges.—As from July, 1947, the cost of admission of a child to a Day Nursery was based on
economic circumstances. Very needy cases were admitted free and the maximum cost was 7s. 7d. per child per day.
Several mothers protested at the increased fees, and 24 children were removed from the Nurseries as a result of the
increased charges.
Staffing and Training.—Staff Establishment:—
Supervisory Matron 1 Wardens 10
Supervisory Warden 1 Nursing Staff 62
Matrons 10 Students and Helpers 50
Deputy Matrons 10 Domestic Staff (mostly part-time) 40
New rates of pay were laid down by the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Education, to take effect as from
the 1st October, 1947. (Circular 168 47 and 157.) These increases in the salaries of Day Nursery Staff assisted in
the retention of staff and enabled vacancies to be filled.
From the young girls who apply for posts in Day Nurseries a selection is made of suitable candidates to train
as Nursery Nurses. In this way trained staff are provided for the more senior posts in the Nurseries. The Student
Nurses attend either at Acton or Hendon Technical College for two days weekly. The course is now extended to
two years, and for this reason only three candidates will be eligible to sit for the National Nursery Examination in
194,S.
Medical Supervision.—The Nurseries continue to be visited regularly by the Medical Officers for purposes
ol medical inspection of children and genera! medical supervision.
Infectious Diseases.—The following table shows the number of infectious diseases from which children in
the Nurseries suffered during the year :—
Diphtheria . . . . . . — Measles . . . . . . . . 79
Scarlet Fever . . . . . . 10 German Measies . . . . 1
Mumps . . . . . . . . 26 Erysipelas . . . . . . 1
Chicken Pox . . . . . . 44 Pneumonia . . . . . . 1
Whooping Cough . . . . 50
Apart from infectious disease the children appear to be in good health. Progress made by the tiny babies has been
particularly noticeable.
General Usefulness of Day Nurseries.
(a) For Parents.—Economic conditions at present make it necessary for many mothers to go out to work who
would normally stay at home with their children, and this service is the essential social service for the widow and
the mother of an illegitimate child. The staff interest the mother in the life of the nursery, telling her how the
children spend their time during the day, what they have to eat and anything special they have done that day. It
is quite noticeable to the staff that the mother leaves her child with every confidence, knowing that every care and
attention will be given to the child whilst she is at her work.
(b) For Children.—Children appear to benefit greatly from the Nurseries. They get the maximum amount
of fresh air and outdoor life, which is not always possible at home with the overcrowded conditions of the present
day ; the generous amount of foods allowed to the Nurseries makes it possible for the children to be more adequately
led than they could possibly be at home with the present-day rations. For the only chdd their is the companionship
of other children and the provision of many toys for education and amusement. Although it is generally agreed
that the best place for the young child is at home with the mother, the need for Nurseries does exist and the demand
appears to increase daily.
Parents' Evenings.—Arrangements are being made for parents to meet the staff one evening a month for
social and educational purposes.
Work of the Wardens.
Special attention was paid throughout the year to improve the educational facilities available in the Day
Nurseries.
Wardens have been specially trained ; they have visited exhibitions and nursery schools and new methods
have been introduced in the training of young children.
Froebel and Montessori educational methods, as recognised by the Ministry of Education, have been applied.
Psychological methods as advocated by Anna Fraed and Beuller, musical training according to Louie de Rusette,
and physical training and rhythmics according to the methods of Loyland, have also been introduced.
This very important work has not only provided useful occupation for the children whilst they were in the
Nursery, but also prepared them for the next step of their entrance into school.
The Day Nursery thus plays its part, not only in social welfare, but also from an educational point of view
as well.