London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972

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Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London

West Ham 1956

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for West Ham]

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53
During 1956 five West Ham children under 5 years attended the School for the
Deaf; they were all admitted £rior to 1956 and at the end of the year two had reached
their fifth birthday.
There were 3 children under 5 years of age attending the Spastic Unit,
There were no children of pre-school age attending the Occupation Centre, nor on
December 31st were there any in institutions for mental defectives, although one or two 4
year olds had been admitted during the year.
At our request and with the agreement of the Director of the Child Guidance Clinic
the Educational Psychologist tested a total of thirteen children under 5 years, four of
whom she had examined in previous years.

Table: The ages of children seen by the Psychologist are as follows

The ages of children seen by the Psychologist are as follows

AgeFirst ExamRe-Exam
4-542
3-432
2-32-
1-2--
Total94

Table: Day Nurseries and Child Minders.Two Day Nurseries remained open during the whole of 1956; the following table shows the average attendances

Day Nurseries and Child Minders.

Two Day Nurseries remained open during the whole of 1956; the following table shows the average attendances

NurseryNo. of Approved PlacesAverage Daily Attendance
Under 2 yearsOver 2 yearsTotal
Litchfield Avenue51142438
PlaistowRoad54132336

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The numbers in attendance have fluctuated considerably, some children being admitted on a
temporary basis to ease difficult family situations. With children in this age group
there are bound to be absences caused, by illness of mother or child, holidays, and other
family reasons, such as relatives being temporarily available to care for the child.