London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972

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East Ham 1961

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for East Ham]

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DAY NURSERY

TABLE 18

YearNumber at 31st DecemberNo. of approved placesNo. of children on the register at the end of the yearAverage daily attendance during the year
0-2 years2-5 years0-2 years2 - 5 years0 - 2 years2-5 years
196012747154613.9438.35
196112747163614.329.9

There are no Nurseries in the borough provided by Voluntary Organisations, the one nursery being
operated by the authority.
The fact looms large that over the past three years the need for a Day Nursery Service has been a
steadily decreasing one. Reference has already been made to this social problem in the foreword to this
report. It suffices here to say that the Health Committee will be asked to reconsider the need for the continuation
of the Service in its present form and the question of closure of the remaining Day Nursery at St.
Stephens Road. Of course provision will have to be made for an alternative method of care for a certain
residual group of children, but the number involved will be small. With the closure of the Day Nursery
considerable financial economies can be anticipated.
NURSERY AND CHILD-MINDERS REGULATION ACT, 1948
There were no daily minders provided by the Council during the years and there were no premises
or daily minders registered under the above Act at 31st December in each year.
The Authority do not pay any fees to daily minders under section 22 of the National Health Service
Act, 1946.
CARE OF UNMARRIED MOTHERS
The Authority does not provide a Mother and Baby Home, but, where necessary patients are
admitted to homes maintained by voluntary Moral Welfare Associations or by other Local Health Authorities.
During 1960 the Council accepted financial responsibility for the maintenance of one unmarried
mother and for seven unmarried mothers in 1961.
These mothers were cared for in recognised mother and baby homes, the period of care varying
from one to 10 weeks.
ILLEGITIMATE CHILDREN (Circular 2866)
The Council do not employ a social worker for the purposes of the above Circular.
These duties are undertaken by the Superintendent Health Visitor, and close co-operation is
maintained with the Children's Officer and the Chief Education Officer.