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34
families. The Association provided a play group leader, who has managed
to get mother participation and young mothers now work as assistants
and help to run the play group.
Under Section 65 of the Health Services and Public Health Act 1968, a
grant of £100 was made to this play group. This was to meet the play
group's special need because of the relative isolation of the children in this
area and the lack of stimulation in the homes and environment. The grant
helped the play group to remain solvent in allowing the mothers to pay
cheaper fees.
Ministry approval had been given under Section 22 of the National
Health Services Act 1946 and in pursuance of Section 20(3) of the same act
for the Council to provide a day nursery and child-minding service for
children under the age of 5 years, who have special need of care on health
and welfare grounds and for the Council to pay reasonable charges and to
recover them from the parents according to their ability to pay. A nil
assessment was made in the case of one handicapped child attending a play
group.
The numbers registered at the end of the year were as follows:-
(i) Child Minders 195
(ii) Private Day Nurseries 66
Priority Dental Services
The report of the Department of Education and Science, which
resulted from a review of the dental services of the Borough in February,
stated that the service provided for under fives is better than average on
all counts, and that treatment is provided at a high level for those in need.
I am pleased to say that this standard of service has continued in the
current year.
Marriage Guidance
The Marriage Guidance Council have a local office in the Borough.
This is at 88/89 College Road, Harrow. Telephone: 427 8964.
Family Planning
The Council continued the arrangement they already had with the
Family Planning Association for the giving of a family planning service in
the Borough. There has been a steady increase in demand for this. The
Association had the use of two clinic premises rent-free at the beginning
of the year and five sessions each were held, an evening session being held
at each clinic In April, a further check I.U.D. session was begun on
alternate Fridays due to the increase in the number of I.U.D. insertions
and in October a further evening session was started at a third clinic, Cecil
Park, Pinner, for all methods of birth control except the I.U.D.