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Certain categories are regarded as priorities and where others are admitted when
vacancies permit, children in the non-priority groups may have to be withdrawn.
The day nursery service is not a free one and the full charge is 15s.6d. per day.
The majority of those making application are unable topay this amount and can therefore
be assessed on their income. A Day Nursery Panel is appointed by the Area Health
Committee each year to deal with appeals against assessments, refusal to admit and
other matters.
There are a great many enquiries regarding the possibility of day nursery
admission from all sections of the public. Some of these realise the difficulty of
securing a vacancy and make other arrangements. Those accepted for admission are
encouraged to visit the nursery of their choice with the child before the date of
admission. This is in order that the mother may see the nursery matron to discuss
details with her and to give the child an opportunity of seeing and mixing with the
children before the appointed day.
Training of Nursery Nurses
All three day nurseries are approved as training nurseries by the Ministry of
Health. Six student nursery nurses are appointed each year and attend the Tottenham
Technical College on two days each week during term time for theory and further
education. Practical training is given at other times in the nurseries.
Handicapped Children
Five handicapped children have attended Stonecroft Day Nursery, Hornsey, during
the year. Two are partially deaf (one of these a child of deaf mutes'), one has
multiple handicaps ( is blind deaf and retarded), one other is mentally retarded and
the fifth was a child who had motor limitation of one side due to poliomyelitis.
Only two of these fit into the local authority's provision for the admission of
handicapped children. These two are the partially deaf children.
Attendances
The overall attendances during the year show an increase above those in the two
previous years of 1959 and 1960, and more children in the 2-5 year age group have been
accomodated during 1961 than those in the 0-2 years group. The reason for the latter
seems to be that vacancies offered in the younger age group have not always been taken
up.
Waiting List
For the first time we have a sizeable waiting list for accepted cases for the
Hornsey day nursery.