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37
Elmfield Road Nursery.
The Matron reports for 1946 as follows: " The nursery has
remained full throughout the year; at some periods there has
been a strain on capacity. Attendances have been maintained
at a high level. The general health of the children has been
good. There were 6 cases of whooping cough, confined to the
0—2 years nursery; all were mild cases without complications.
"The staff, with one exception, was unchanged during the
year. Miss Thomson resigned on marriage and was succeeded
by Miss Jeffcoat. Two students passed the examination of the
National Society of Children's Nurseries, but reverted to private
employment. Students now train under the National Nursery
Board, the whole course occupying two years.
"Many mothers still appear to be anxious to work; the
reason advanced being chiefly that demobilised husbands are
unable to obtain suitable employment and there is insufficiency
of wages in the home. The call for increased production is
likely to be a potent factor in the demand for nursery
accommodation."
Draycott Nursery.
The Matron reports as follows: "The nursery was in full
activity throughout the year 1946 and attendances were maintained
to full capacity. Occasional fluctuation, in attendance
occurred during inclement weather and at the beginning of the
year some fall in attendance was due to 16 cases of whooping
cough. There was no direct evidence of spread of infection due
to attendance at the nursery itself as every possible precaution
was taken with the co-operation of the mothers.
"The average attendance throughout the year was 15 under
two years and 32 over two years. Fifty mothers were in whole
time employment and in the other case employment was casual,
or there were specific reasons for the child's attendance at a
nursery.
"The nursery remains open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. being
closed on Sundays.
The response of the child to community life in the nursery
as been excellent and the mothers on many occasions expressed
verbally and in writing their appreciation of the mental and
Physical progress of their children. The medical inspection of