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47
between one and two, the proportion of the children between
two and five in the Borough who attend the Welfare Centres
is obviously very small indeed. It is clear therefore that far
more vigorous measures are necessary if we are to ensure
that toddlers receive the medical supervision they need.
More nursery schools would be a valuable contribution to
this end. At present there is only one in the Borough. So
far as the Borough Council is concerned, it has three means
at its disposal:—
1. Home visits by the Health Visitors;
2. Medical supervision at the Welfare Centres;
3. Day nurseries.
A substantial amount of useful work is being done under
the first heading, as will be seen from the figures on previous
pages. With regard to the third means, the Council is at
present held up in its desire to provide a much needed Day
Nursery in the North Ward by the pending Redevelopment
of this part of the Borough. The most difficult problem is
how to get the Toddler to the Welfare Centre which up to
the present we have not been able to solve.
For the moment, as an alternative plan to the special
Toddlers session on Monday morning (an admittedly difficult
time for most mothers), a special letter card has been devised
to be issued to mothers about the time of their children's
birthdays. This card urges the advisability of a general health
overhaul at one of the Infant Consultation Sessions, thereby
giving the mother a more convenient time and the opportunity
of bringing other young children at the same time to
save journeys. In addition to this, we are endeavouring
to attract the mothers of children who have suffered
from measles or whooping cough to bring up their
children for medical examination and any possible benefit
which may be derived from inhalation or light treatment for
the clearing up of any after effects of their illness.
I cannot help feeling that the problem is complicated
by the fact that two distinct authorities are concerned in
it and that there is no co-ordinated plan between them to
deal with it. Although the school entrance age is nominally
five, in actual practice in East London a large number, if
not the majority, of children commence attending at three.
Owing to illness or other reason, a certain number are taken
off and on the school registers during these two years, which
adds to the difficulty of making clear provision for the public
oversight of this age period. The reasons leading to this
large school entrance before the compulsory age are probably
mainly social and they no doubt arise from the same domestic
stresses which render regular attendance at the Welfare