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The difficulty of obtaining suitable and sufficient staff for the
nurseries continued throughout the year but the accommodation
provided in the two staff hostels at 37 and 186, Upper Clapton
Road, together with the arrangements under which nursery staff
are found accommodation in private households, has been of great
assistance in securing staff.
It is gratifying to note that all the probationers entered during
the year for the Nursery Nurses' Examination, after being trained
in the theoretical and practical work of nursery nurses by the
Council's medical and nursing staff, were successful in securing
the diploma of the National Society of Children's Nurseries.
The nursery parents' clubs, instituted in all the nurseries,
were continued with success and the talks between nursery staff
and the parents have been of particular value.
Many visits were paid to the nurseries by persons interested
in child welfare; for example, officials from the Colonial Office and
representatives from the Yugo-Slavian Delegation. At the request
of the London Regional Committee for Education among His
Majesty's Forces, arrangements were made for several parties of
young women serving with the forces to attend at the nurseries for
courses of lectures and demonstrations.
Convalescent Home Treatment.— Arrangements were made for
the convalescence of 18 children.
The total cost to the Council of convalescent home treatment in
1945 was £120 18s. 8d.
Child Life Protection.— At the commencement of the year there
were 18 registered foster-mothers in the Borough who had in their
care 19 children. At the end of the year there were 19 fostermothers
having the care of 20 children.
There were two instances in 1945 of failure to give notice to
the Council of intention to take charge of a child for reward. In
one case legal proceedings were taken and a fine of 10/- with 20/costs
was imposed. In the second case a caution was issued.
No deaths of foster-children were reported.
Care of Illegitimate Children.— Under the Council's scheme
for the care of illegitimate children the Child Protection Visitor
undertakes the home visiting of unmarried expectant mothers and
pays the first visits after the birth of all illegitimate children.