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36
In every case the Matron receives a home report of the circumstances of the child; and
these reports made by the Health Visitors are most useful.
Breast-feeding is not only encouraged, but insisted upon where possible, if only partially.
All the feeding of infants is done on the principle of the use of breast standard milk, and the
older children get a well balanced diet. An open-air life is rigidly followed; and an old army
hut in the garden makes it possible for the children to be out of doors in winter and summer,
although they are never allowed out when there is fog.
The Day Nursery is affiliated to the National Society of Day Nurseries, 117, Piccadilly,
W.l. Ciiris of over sixteen are received for a year's training. After examination certificates of
proficiency are granted by the National Society. Some of the girls become children's nursery nurses,
and others proceed to hospital training.
The following are the figures showing the attendances at the Day Nursery during 1936: —
Individual children under 3 years 113
Individual children over 3 years 16
WHOLE DAYS:—
Attendances under 3 years 5050
Attendances over 3 years 1594
6644
HALF DAYS: —
Attendances under 3 years 1300
Attendances over 3 years 139
1439
8083
Average number of attendances per day 30.7
SUPPLY OF MILK.
Under the provisions of the Maternity and Child Welfare Act, 1918, milk may be supplied
free to necessitous nursing and expectant mothers and to children under three years of age. In
certain circumstances also milk is granted to children between the ages of three and five years.
The Local Authority is required by the regulations of the Ministry of Health to ascertain
that need actually exists; and a special Visitor visits the homes of applicants and reports on
the home circumstances, while the ordinary reports of the Health Visitors are also available for
reference. A special Milk Sub-Committee of the Maternity and Child Welfare Committee meets
every week to consider applications and make grants.
The approximate cost of the milk granted free or at less than cost price during 1936
was: —
Dried milk £459 18 6
Wet milk £246 1 8
£705 19 9