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Nursery schools do not set out to give formal instruction hut rather to produce a
condition of willing readiness for such instruction, and so to prepare the children
for the infantsr school. The carefully balanced diet at the midday meal, the afternoon
rest, the regular medical inspections and the frequent visits to the school of a nurse
who promptly reports any abnormality, all contribute to the physical and mental wellbeing
of the children. Playrooms are as light and airy as possible, and whenever the
weather permits most activities take place outside in the open air. Special attention
is given to hygiene? each child has his own comb, face flannel and towel; high standards
of personal cleanliness are set. The nursery school is to some extent an observation
centre, both medically and socially, where the progress of health and development of
character can be carefully watched and guided in the child's best interests.
Facilities are also given to the medical officers to visit the schools from time
to time to observe the environmental conditions and to make a critical assessment of
their value in promoting health. It can be truly said that a well planned and well run
nursery school with good open air life, plenty of space, adequate clothing for their
"in-and-out" life, and a really high standard of feeding, will ensure the well-being of
the children, increase their resistance to disease and reduce the risk of infection.
NURSERY CLASSES
After a period in which nursery classes were closed down three re-opened for the
Autumn term - New City, Carpenters and Tollgate, Children uhder five are educated in
these classes in primary schools. These classes are run on the same lines as nursery
schools but must not admit any children below the age of three. It has been found that
children from two to five years of age develop best in small communities which have some
of the features of a good home, which provide a simple life where the children can find
security and satisfaction, and where there are opportunities for caring for the children
as individuals. Our aim is to provide an environment and regime which will be instrumental
in raising the condition of these young children nearer the optimum and in reducing to a
minimum the risks involved in bringing them together into groups.
The findings at these nursery classes are similar to those in the nursery schools.
CONVALESCENT TREATMENT
Children are sent away mainly through the Invalid Children's Aid Associations
occasionally a child is dealt with by the Jewish Board of Guardians. Children are also
sent away for holidays in the summer to private homes through the Children's Country
Holiday Fund. These cases, however, do not come within our convalescent scheme. Children
who are sent to convalescent homes usually require short-term treatment. These children
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, bronchitis, pneumonia, or are
troubled with attacks of upper respiratory catarrh, and are often recommended by their
general practitioners for a change of air. The average length of stay is three weeks but
in a few special cases an extension of a week or two Is requested. This is usually granted.
The maximum stay is six weeks, Should a child be so debilitated as to require a longer
stay than this then it must be admitted to a convalescent home providing educational
facilities. The child would then have to be "ascertained" as delicate and dealt with under
Section 34 of the Education Act, 1944.
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