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23
NURSERIES AND CHILD-MINDERS REGULATION ACT, 1948
Two types of day care for children under five years of age are recognized
under this Act. The first is where children are cared for in premises used
mainly for the purpose, which are then regarded as private day nurseries. There
were seven of these in the Borough at the end of the year, three new ones having
been approved by the Health Committee during 1967. 142 children attended these
nurseries, most of which are open only in the mornings.
The second type is where children are received into a child minder's own
home. The total number of child minders at the end of 1967 was 24, the same as
last year but six new minders were registered during the year and six ceased
minding.
All these groups and homes have visits of inspection from Medical Officers
at approximately monthly intervals. There is need for this surveillance both to
give advice on health measures and suggestions for stimulation of the children
in play, and to ensure that the standards required in safety measures, particularly
with regard to fire hazards, are maintained.
PLAYGROUPS
Following the issue of the Yudkin report initiated by the National Society
of Children's Nurseries in which attention was drawn to a lack of provision for
young children's social and emotional needs, a scheme was put to the Health
Committee with a view to increasing the facilities for the care of pre-school
children outside their own homes.
The Committee decided to seek approval from the Minister of Health for the
Council to establish its own playgroups in the Borough. The matter was still
under consideration at the end of the year.