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67
15. NURSERY SCHOOL.
The routine medical supervision is the same as detailed in
previous reports, except that all children are now seen by the School
Nurse before being admitted to the School.
Miss Richards has kindly contributed the following report on
the work of the Nursery School during 1934:—
"I am pleased to be able to report that, with a few isolated
cases of whooping cough and chicken-pox, there has been a comparatively
clear bill of health during the year. There have also
been fewer colds and coughs, and I attribute this to the more
regular attendance of the ohildren and to the special form of
cod liver oil emulsion, which is being given to all the children with
most beneficial results.
"While the attendance has been more settled during the year
(i.e., it has fluctuated considerably less in former years), I regret
to report that the enrolment has distinctly fallen off, and 1 do
not feel that the fullest possible advantage is being taken of the
existence of the Nursery School. In a neighbourhood which
possesses only one such school and is known to be overcrowded, it
should not be difficult, not only to have the school full all the year
round, but to have a ' waiting list.'
" Combined with probable prejudice, it has been thought that
the neighbourhood has not been aware of the existence of the
Nursery School, and with the object of making it more widely
known, during ' Health Week,' in November, the programme
included a Nursery School film and Nursery School slides, which
were shown at the Granada Cinema and periodically throughout
the week at the Conway Hall, together with a Nursery School model
and photographs, which were on view with other exhibits during
the week.
"While it is hoped that this may have done something towards
removing prejudices and towards creating publicity for the Nursery
School, a great deal more might be done with the very welcome
co-operation of the Health Visitors, who are in direct contact with
the homes and are in a position to persuade the mothers to take
advantage of the School.
"Without hesitation, I can say that we have not the most suitable
cases attending, but until the enrolment is full we cannot
be in the position of making any selection. All cases, provided
they live in Walthamstow, are admitted on application.