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DAY NURSERIES.—In 1941 the Council decided to provide day nurseries in preference to a
supervised " daily minder " scheme as a method of enabling married women to enter industry. The first
nursery, Nantly House, Hounslow (54 children) was opened on 2nd February, 1942, and was followed by
Acton Lodge, Brentford End (35 children) on 1st July, 1942; Blenheim House, Hounslow West (50
children) on 9th August, 1943, and Heston Day Nursery (50 children) on 15th November, 1943. The
charge for day nurseries was 1/- per day per child and the remainder of the cost was borne by the
Government. On 1st April, 1946, the nurseries were taken over by the Council who receive a Government
grant of approximately 50 per cent. of the net cost. The Council has continued the charge of 1/- per day
per child. The main difficulties associated with the establishing of day nurseries were (a) to find suitable
premises near main traffic routes, (b) to get suitable equipment, and (c) to recruit staff. The second difficulty
was met for some time by the issue of standard equipment by the Government but this scheme is no longer
in operation and all three difficulties remain. Throughout, the recruitment of adequate nursing and
domestic staff has been a problem and this shortage has been associated with a high incidence of sickness
among the staff. For example, in 1944, the proportion of the necessary nursing staff on duty in any week
varied from 66 to 94 per cent. (average 79 per cent.) and of the necessary domestic staff from 64 to 100 per
cent. (average 86 per cent.). This placed a severe strain on the staff on duty and but for their enthusiasm
and energy the nurseries would have been closed on several occasions. Owing to the shortage of trained
nursery teachers the standard of educational care in the nurseries has fallen far short of what is desirable.

The attendance of children on Saturdays has always been poor and if Saturdays be excluded the average
daily attendance in 1946 was 151 (80 per cent. of the accommodation). Experience has shown that owing to
illness, holidays, etc., the attendance of children seldom exceeds 85 per cent. of the number on the register
and, to counterbalance this to some extent, children are admitted in excess of the approved accommodation
when staff conditions permit. Apart from a small outbreak of dysentery in two of the nurseries no excessive
Incidence of infectious disease has been noted. The demand for accommodation has shown no reduction
and there has always been a list of children awaiting admission. Admission has been and is restricted to
the children of mothers in employment but temporary admissions are arranged where possible in connection
with domestic emergencies or where supervision in a day nursery has been recommended for a child.

Though the table shows a general reduction in the quantities supplied free—due to less unemployment,
higher level of wages and issues through the Ministry of Food—the receipts from sales at cost price have
risen steadily, e.g., £1,576 in 1940, £2,279 in 1942, £3,139 in 1944 and £4,139 in 1946.
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