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Physical and mental growth is stimulated at the nursery school and the training the
child receives there may be summed up as follows
(1) To provide healthy external conditions, light, sunshine, space and fresh air, A great
part of the day is given to an "in and out life" leaving considerable choice to the
children.
(2) To ensure a healthy, happy, regular life for the children as well as continuous medical
supervision.
(3) To assist each child to form for himself wholesome personal habits.
(*!) To give opportunity for the exercise of the imagination and the development of many
interests as well as skill of various kinds.
(5) To give experience of community life on a small scale, where the children of similar,
as well as varying ages, work and play with one another day by day.
(6) To achieve a real unity with 'the life of the home.
CONVALESCENT TREATMENT
Children are sent away mainly through the Invalid Children's Aid Association. They
usually require short-term treatment on the lines of a recuperative holiday. They are
generally below par and are classed as debilitated and need a change of environment. Some,
however, have had a recent illness such as influenza, pneumonia, bronchitis, or are troubled
with attacks of upper respiratory catarrh, and are recommended by their general practitioners
for a change of air. The average length of stay is four weeks but in a few special cases an
extension of a week or two is requested. This is usually granted. The mothers take a great
deal of interest in these convalescent cases and when sent for purposes of re-inspectIon
attend in good numbers. The administrative arrangements have been in the hands of the West
Ham Branch of the Invalid Children's Aid Association for some years, and have this year
again been carried out in a most efficient way. The personal interest shown by the staff,
backed by their experience, has been much appreciated.
During the year 119 children were sent to convalescent homes in the way described.
EMPLOYMENT OP CHILDREN AND YOUNG PERSONS
The present bye-laws regulating the employment of children were adopted by the Council
in I949. These bye-laws, made under the Children and Young Persons Act, 1933, revoked the byelaws
made by the Council in 193^° Important alterations werer-
(a) No child under the age of 14- years shall be employed.
(b) No child shall be employed on any week day except from 7 a.m. to 8 a.m.
provided that the employment during this hour is restricted to the
delivery of milk, bread or newspapers.
Other features of the Regulations are that Sunday is prescribed as a whole holiday
and no child shall be employed on that day. No child taking part in any entertainment in
pursuance of a licence under Section 22 of the Children and Young Persons Act, 1933, shall
be employed on the day or days of, or the day following, such entertainment, in any other
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