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service of Child Minders has grown since the new Act. The need for
Minders in the area is tremendous; many young mothers work to help
save for a mortgage.
The Council decided in March, 1969 to enforce the recommendations
made by the Department of Health and Social Security contained in
Circulars 36/68 and 37/68, within the next 12 months in respect of all
existing registrations, having already decided to enforce them in respect
of all Nurseries and Child Minders registered since the introduction of
the amending Act.
Circular 37/68 states "that as a general rule, the risks of cross infection
make it unwise for the maximum number of children in (nursery)
premises to exceed 50". All persons providing day care facilities for
more than 50 children in registered premises were requested to reduce
the number to 50 within the next 12 months and to notify the Medical
Officer of Health as soon as the number had been reduced.
Circular 37/68 also states that "single-handed" child minder should
care for 13 chiIdren only under five years of age (including any of her own
within that age group), but in the event of an assistant being employed
she may care for up to seven children under five, subject to compliance
with the Medical Officer of Health's requirements concerning the accommodation
to be used.
All registered child minders having more than 3 children in their
care were requested within the next 12 months either (i) to reduce the
number of children to three, or (ii) to employ an assistant; the Medical
Officer of Health to be notified about a decision as soon as possible.
Early in 1970 the Committee would consider what action should be
taken to make these recommendations compulsory in respect of existing
registration.
At the present time there are:-
71 Playgroups providing sessional care and
8 Playgroups providing all day care
4 persons providing sessional care
106 persons providing all day care