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35
The Nurseries and Child Minder3 Regulations Act 1948.
The Borough Council is responsible under this Act for the
registration of private day nurseries and daily minders.
At the end of the year 19 nurseries providing a total of
387 places and 37 daily minders, authorised to care for up to 218
children, were registered.
CHILDREN'S HOMES
The Children's Committee has four homes in the borough and
two in Esher. The premises are inspected quarterly by a medical
officer of the Health and Welfare Department and a report is made on
general conditions, cleanliness, ventilation etc. and on sleeping
quarters, kitchens, dietary etc.
Treatment of the children in all the homes is undertaken
by the general practitioners concerned but in the four homes within
the borough, departmental medical officers undertake the routine
medical inspections when visiting, and on admission and discharge;
they advise generally on the promotion of positive health of the
children.
HOMES FOR MOTHERS AND BABIES
There are no homes for mothers and babies in the borough
and there is no evidence that the demand would justify one During
the period April to December 195 Council accepted financial
responsibility for 35 unmarried expectant mothers sent to homes run
by other authorities or voluntary organisations. The usual period
of acceptance is for six weeks before and six weeks after confinement.
CHILDREN "AT RISK"
Cases of children who are thought to be specially susceptible
to handicaps are reported at birth by midwives on special cards printed
for the purpose. Prom these reports the "at risk" register is
compiled and the medical and nursing staff pay particular attention to
the babies who are included. Screening tests for impaired hearing are
carried out and the babies are also watched carefully in case any
evidence of the relevant abnormalities develops.
The following are the 31 categories of babies included in the
"at risk" register:
A. Those with a family history of:
1. Deafness, blindness, neurological diseases,
cerebral palsy, epilepsy, etc.