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35
Nurseries and Child-Minders Regulation Act 1948
The Health Services and Public Health Act 1968 was passed
during the year and Section 60, which amends the Nurseries and ChildMinders
Regulation Act 1948, came into operation on 1st November 1968.
The purpose of this section was to strengthen local health
authorities' powers and to increase maximum penalties for failure to
register. Whereas previously it was necessary to register only if
more than two children under 5 were received for reward for a
substantial part of the day, it is now necessary to register even if
only one child is received for an aggregate of two hours during the
day. The maximum fine for failure to register or for breach of any
requirements of the local authority is now £50 for the first offence,
and for a second or subsequent offence a person is liable to three
months' imprisonment or a fine of £100 or both.
Section 60 also lays down improved standards of premises,
equipment, and qualifications or experience of the persons caring for
the children which should be met by persons applying for registration.
Registrations increased during the year and at the end of
the year there were 38 registered day nurseries providing 860 places,
and 49 daily minders providing 293 places. All people registered are
supervised and reported upon each month by a health visitor.
Training courses for people responsible for the care of
children are provided in collaboration with the education department,
and these are very well attended.
CHILDREN'S HOMES
The Children's Committee has five homes in the borough and
one 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.