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delayed beyond the optimum time for intervention
and support as is evidenced by the
fact that each day nursery still has a waiting
list as also by information reaching me from
other sources Suggestions and proposals
continue to be put forward for additional day
nursery provision in the borough so as to
provide an effective and comprehensive
service for young children in need but the
lack of suitable sites has been a factor in
delaying implementation
The attendances made by children during
the year were:
Feltham day nursery 11,107
Portsdown House day nursery 6,926
Nantly House day nurserv 8,866
Total 26,899
Nurseries and Child Minders Regulation Act
1948 as amended by the Health Services and
Public Health Act 1968
The following were registered at the end of
the year
Private day nurseries (including playgroups)
40 with accommodation for 881 children
Child Minders
238 with accommodation for 457 children
It is a widely acknowledged fact today
that many pre school children benefit
emotionally intellectually and socially from
attending nurseries and playgroups The
increased number of private nurseries and
playgroups within the borough is therefore
seen as part of a national trend towards the
development of such facilities. Indeed the
Hounslow branch of the Pre-School Playgroups
Association has been extremely active in
both developing and co-ordinating private
efforts within the borough and there has been
much useful liaison with both the health and
education departments in the formulation of
their plans and subsequent registration and
afterwards in the departments fulfilling
supportive roles etc
The in training of supervisory staff has
also continued and been much appreciated
and the contributions to the courses made by
my staff greatly appreciated The increase in
the number of child minders has been even
greater than in nurseries many mothers
registering in order to care for only 2 or 3
children but often supplying a local and
neighbourhood need which at least obviates
children being involved in lengthy journeys
and generally shortening the time in which
they are awav from their own homes Unfortunately
very few single-handed child minders
find it possible to attend an appropriate course
though some do take advantage of an evening
class now provided at Chiswick Polytechnic
The educational work undertaken by health
visitors on the occasions of home visits can
here be invaluable in supporting and advising
mothers who not only care for their own
children but also those of other parents
The importance of the pre school years
cannot be over emphasised since it is in
these years that intellectual curiosity development
and confidence can be most fruitfully
encouraged The Nurseries and Child Minders
Regulation Act 1948 refers to children who are
minded during the day but many enlightened
parents nowadays have recognised the
desirability of a service that is much more
positive than that implied in the term "minding"
and have been able to demonstrate their
readiness to take an active part in the provision
of their young children s needs Future social
historians I have little doubt will recognise
the development of the Pre School Playgroups
Association in the 1960 s as of crucial
importance in the effort to develop human
potentialities to the maximum The greater
awareness of children s needs is of the highest
significance and the intelligent young mothers
of today who have involved themselves in
meeting these needs have performed an inestimable
service to thousands of children whose
capacities might never have been stimulated
but for their courage vision and drive often
against many odds Volunteer effort still has
much to contribute to the well being of the
nation and it is pleasing to report that in this
borough the local authority has been able to
afford considerable support and advice, when
needed to those playgroup workers who have
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