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There are also a number of children, whose development is somewhat retarded, and
whose limited background does not provide the necessary stimulation, who could benefit by
care in a day nursery.
Apart from 11 cases of whooping cough in Plaistow Nursery &t the beginning of the
year there has been no outbreak of infeotious disease. One case of Sonne dysentery occurred
in each nursery, but it is gratifying to report that the symptoms were detected promptly and
there was no spread of the illness amongst the other children. There were also 12 cases of
diarrhoea which occurred singly at Litchfield Day Nursery, but none were serious and all the
bacteriological investigations were negative.
There were a few cases of impetigo in each nursery, a rather unusual occurrence
these days.
The Cumberland Road Day Nursery, which is under the auspices of the Canning Town
Women!s Settlement, has provided places for 30 children throughout the year. It is visited
regularly by one of the Council's health visitors, and by a medical officer from time to time,
There was only one child minder on the register, and she did not have any children
in her care during the year.
Welfare Foods.
The distribution of Welfare Foods from the Child Welfare Centres, the Public Hall
Canning Town, and the local W.V.S. Headquarters has continued throughout the year.
Convalescence.
The following are the number of mothers and children sent for recuperative
holidays during 1956:-
Unaccompanied children under 5 years 23
Mothers with Children 31
This shows a further decrease in the number of unaccompanied pre-school children
sent away and is in accordance with our policy of not encouraging separation from their
mother except for urgent reasons,
A follow-up is generally carried out by the health visitor when mothers and
children return from convalescence, and mothers have usually stated that they have felt
much better and have enjoyed their stay. Enquiry has revealed that good progress has been
maintained following convalescence and it therefore appears that a much needed service is
being provided. Twenty-five of the mothers, some with 2 or more children, have been to
II
Winterton House" in Buckinghamshire. The usual stay is for 2 weeks but sometimes, if
mother and children are deriving obvious benefit, but are not fully recovered, the period
is extended on the recommendation of the medical officer of the Home.
We are muoh indebted to the officers of Buckinghamshire County Council who
administer the Home and to the staff of Winterton House, for the good and kindly care
given to the mothers and children, the very efficient arrangements for their reception,
and their helpful co-operation at all times.