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subsequently withdrawn for various reasons, such as the admission
of the mother to hospital for confinement, evacuation and so on.
Wages paid totalled £922, and £251 was collected from parents.
The services of experienced women for 14 days from the time of
confinement were of undoubted value and expressions of appreciation
were received in several cases.
Day Nurseries.—During the year the Council's programme for
the establishment of 8 War-time Day Nurseries was completed and
the accommodation at the French Hospital Nursery increased from
50 to 60 places. These Nurseries, together with the 3 toddlers'
nurseries established at Rest Centres, provide accommodation for
470 children under the age of 5 years. The total number of attendances
made by children during the year was 62,101.
A Nursery Mothers' Club was instituted during the year at the
French Hospital Nursery where mothers stay for a couple of hours
one evening a month to discuss problems with the Nursery medical
and nursing staff. In this way a friendly and sympathetic relation
between the mothers, their children and the staff was created.
This experiment having proved successful, similar clubs have been
commenced at other Nurseries in the Borough.
Like other authorities, the Council has had difficulty in obtaining
suitable and sufficient staff for Nurseries, but with the co-operation
of the Appointments Branch and Local Office of theMinistry
of Labour and National Service the position has been met.
The establishment of a hostel for 18 members of the Nursery
staff was a great help in overcoming staff difficulties.
Convalescent Home Treatment.—Arrangements were made for
the convalescence of 3 mothers and 24 children.
The total cost to the Council of convalescent home treatment in
1943 was £88 6s. 4d.
Child Life Protection.—At the commencement of the year there
were 28 registered foster-mothers in the Borough who had in their
care 29 children. At the end of the year there were 38 fostermothers
having the care of 44 children.
There were tlhree instances in 1943 in which it was necessary to
address warning letters to women who had failed to give notice to
the Council of intention to take charge of a child for reward. Three
deaths of foster-children were reported. Coroner's inquests were
not held, death in each case being attributed to natural causes.