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1.10.5 In planning the new day nursery, which Is to provide 66 places in replacement of
the original 50 places at 4, Prince Albert Road, two major differences from the usual day
nursery concept were taken Into consideration. The first Is that so far as possible the
children should be in family groups rather than In age groups and the family aspect of
child care should be regarded as of major importance. The second is in the provision of
day nursery care for handicapped children.
1.10.6 Handicapped children who for one reason or another are unable to take a full
part in the activities of normal children tend to become isolated, and their experience of
life, which is an essential part of their education, is curtailed whilst their need is in
most cases greater than for a normal child. This is particularly so in cases where the
handicap affects the child's communication with others. The provision of care for such
handicapped children either in a special group or associated with the ordinary family
group is in fact a logical sequel to the compilation and maintenance of a handicapped or
'at risk' register, although It may not previously have been recognised as such.
1.10.7 The building, demonstrating completely the concepts of nursery planning and
care, was nearing completion at the end of 1968. It provides on one floor six group rooms
each for eight children; one group room for eight to nine handicapped children; two babies'
rooms; a playroom; a milk preparation room; cloakrooms and lavatories; a Matron's office;
a medical inspection room; k staff lounge/dining room; a Warden's room; a laundry;
a kitchen and stores. The site also includes a large outdoor play deck of 8,400 square
feet of which approximately 6,000 square feet is paved and the remainder is grassed.
1.10.8 Once again we met much interest and sympathy from our colleagues in the
Ministry of Health for this novel concept, and in addition to Dr. Susan Tracy, Associate
Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Audrey Trevor Evans, Principal Medical Officer,
Miss F.G. Craddock, Principal Nursing Officer and Miss A.I. Stewart, Superintendent
Health Visitor, and to the Borough Architect and his colleagues, we owe gratitude to
Dr. Dorothy Egan, our consultant in developmental paediatrics, who was the first to
develop the concept of family grouping in day nurseries.
1.10.9 (The day nursery was officially opened by the Baroness Serota, Minister of State
for Health, on 16th April, 1969.)
1.10.10 The plan of the building is shown on page (iv).
JUNIOR TRAINING CENTRE - ALEXANDRA ROAD
1.11.1 At the formation of the London Borough of Camden in 1965 there was no junior
training centre within the Borough and no plan for providing one. Children who needed to
attend training centres went to centres in other boroughs; the majority to the centre in
Islington opened officially in June, 1966. Although the Medical Officer of Health of
Islington has always been most helpful the places in the Islington centre are needed for
Islington residents and there has naturally been continuous pressure on Camden to provide
its own junior training centre.
1.11.2 It has, however, been extremely difficult to find a sufficiently large site for such
a development. The site which has now been selected is about one acre in extent and will
adjoin an open space of some three acres. It is on that portion of the Alexandra Road
redevelopment area which lies between Alexandra Road and Boundary Road and which is
being comprehensively redeveloped for housing purposes.
1.11.3 Detailed plans are not yet completed, but provision will be made for 90 children
together with a special care unit for an additional 25 severely handicapped children.
1.11.4 Building is expected to commence in the period 1971 — 72.
DAY NURSERY - SHOOT-UP HILL
1.12.1 There is a great shortage of day nursery accommodation in the north-western
corner of the Borough, and a search for a suitable site or for premises which could be
adapted has been going on for several years. A number of large houses have been inspected
for this purpose, but for various reasons, such as structural defects or the high cost of
adaptation, none has been satisfactory.
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