View report page

27
This gives an opportunity of assessing the applicant's qualifications
and suitability to carry out this type of work, and also to discuss the
standards which the Council would require in order to effect registration.
Following this, a general inspection of the premises is then carried
out and a report submitted to the Committee, with appropriate recommendations.
If the application is approved by the Committee, a Notice of Intention
to make an Order is then sent to the applicant. This notice gives
details of the number of children to be received at any one time under
the age of five years, and also itemises certain requirements which must
be accepted in writing by the applicant before the Certificate of Registration
is issued. Examples of these requirements are:—
i) the ratio of staff to children;
ii) the production of satisfactory evidence of medical fitness and
x.ray of chest for all staff;
iii) the age range of children to be cared for;
iv) the maintenance at all times of adequate heating and
tion of premises;
v) the implementation of any safety precautions considered
necessary, e.g. guard gates, fire guards, etc.
The local authority must register the premises or the minder, unless
they decide to refuse registration on the grounds that any person who is
employed, or proposed to be employed, in looking after the children is
not fit to have the care of children, or that the premises or minder's
home are not fit for that purpose.
(.b) Supervision
After the Certificate of Registration has been granted, periodic
visits are made by a Medical Officer and, in addition, visits are frequently
made by Health Visitors to all premises to ensure that the
conditions of registration are being observed, and in general to give
advice on the well.being of the children. If for any reason the Health
Visitor is dissatisfied with the conditions found, a report is immediately
made to the Medical Officer, who then visits and takes the necessary
action. At least four times a year, a form of report is completed by the
Health Visitor in regard to each of the premises and persons registered.
Apart from these formal visits of inspection, the Health Visitors know
the daily minders well and encourage them to make visits to the Infant
Welfare Clinics, especially those who have the full day care of children.
In addition to the above, every applicant has to obtain the approval
of the Borough Council under Town Planning Regulations.