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29
Day Nurseries
There are two day nui series in the Borough providing accommodation
for 110 children aged 0-5 years for whom nursery provision is required
on health grounds.
These nurseries are at:-
(a) Headstone Drive, Wealdstone 50 place
(b) Walton Avenue, South Harrow 60 place
Demand for places is high and admission is determined by a system
of priorities. In certain cases where it is considered attendance at a day
nursery would be beneficial to progress, certain handicapped children are
admitted without charge. The present categories are deaf, partially deaf,
children of deaf and dumb parents where talking environment is desirable,
children showing behaviour problems, and suitable physically handicapped
children.
Training facilities are available at the Headstone Drive Nursery for
students seeking the qualification of the National Nursery Examination
Board. Each year the number of applicants for training far exceeds the
posts available.
During the year plans were prepared to modify and at the same time
modernise the washing and toilet facilities at the Headstone Drive Nursery.
This work is scheduled to start in 1968.
Nurseries and Child Minders Regulation Act
Private day nurseries and child minders are registered under the
Nurseries and Child Minders Regulation Act.
On receipt of requests for registration, arrangements are made for
the applicant(s) to be interviewed by a Medical Officer at the home or
premises where it is proposed to carry out the daily care of children.
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 registration, periodic visits are made by a Medical Officer
to all premises and in addition visits are made by health visitors to ensure
that the conditions of registration are being observed and in general to
give advice on the well being of the children.
During 1967 the number of applications for registration under the
above Act continued to increase and the numbers requested rose from 46
in 1966 to 61 in 1967. There continues to be a heavy demand for places
at the play groups and the numbers of groups requesting registration is
still increasing.