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At the end of the year there were 32 registered foster
mothers and 34 foster children in the Borough.
The Council appointed the three Health Visitors to be
Infant Protection Visitors under the Act. Visits were paid by
the Health Visitors every month and where necessary at more
frequent intervals. The total number of these visits amounted
to 268.
In two cases it was found necessary to remove the children
to a place of safety. These children were not in the care of
registered foster mothers.
In every case where the child left its foster mother, information
was sent to the Medical Officer of the area concerned, in
order that the circumstances could be duly investigated.
In no case was it necessary to institute proceedings under
the Act.
Municipal Day Nursery.—The work at the Day Nursery at
Hubert Road during 1930 was most satisfactory. The
number of children on the Register at the end of the year was
106. These children came from 81 families. The total
attendances made by the children amounted to 8,513 whole days.
The average daily attendance was 36.5.
The Nursery has accommodation for 50 children—20 infants
and 30 toddlers. Infants are admitted from the age of four weeks
and toddlers remain until they commence school at five years.
The children are brought to the Nursery between 7.30 and 8.45
a.m. They are then undressed, bathed, and re-dressed in
nursery clothes. Their heads are washed at the Nursery once
a week.
The children are provided with three meals during the day.
Infants up to the age of eight or nine months are bottle-fed,
whilst the older children receive an excellent dietary suitable to
their age. This is supplemented by fruit juice, and cod liver oil
and malt or virol.
Infants up to the age of eight months are weighed weekly,
and thereafter monthly up to the age of one year. Toddlers up
to the age of five years are weighed every three months. During
1930, 476 " weighings " were carried out. The children
respond well to the nursery life and show a satisfactory gain in
weight.
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