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22
DAY CARE OF CHILDREN
DAY NURSERIES
The majority of the Council's 7 day nurseries were fully occupied during
1967, except at times when there was infectious illness. The one exception was
Sun Babies Day Nursery where although the occupancy was higher than when it
first re-opened in 1966, shortage of staff has made it impossible to have completely
full attendance.
In addition to the admission of priority cases where mothers are not in a
position to care for children at home, a small number are given places under
two special schemes. One of these is for children with a hearing loss or
children of deaf parents, to assist them in the development of speech; the
other being for severely mentally retarded children, in view of the still
limited accommodation in special care units. Even if only very slow progress
can be expected from this latter group of children some respite from caring for
them is afforded to their mothers.
CRECHES
The great value of creche sessions at four of the Council's M.&C.H. Centres
has been apparent during the year. Sessions have been full and at some there
are waiting lists of children. An extra session was begun at the Elsdale
Street Centre in October. This opportunity from the child's point of view to
mix and play with others even for one or two sessions a week, is seen to
assist with development of speech and other skills and to help them become adjusted
socially. There have been several requests from paediatricians for
places for children who have minor behaviour difficulties, and improvement
nearly always follows their admission to a creche.

VOLUNTARY CHILD MINDING
The arrangement whereby a registration fee of 6/- per week is allowed to
certain reliable women who may mind one or two children in their homes during
the day has continued. Health visitors supervise the minding of these children.
The total number of voluntary child minders at the end of 1967 was 41 and they
undertook the care of 44 children.