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In order that mothers of small children should be free, if they so
desire, to undertake full or part-time work, war-time nurseries have
been established by local authorities.
By December, 1943, 1,450 of these nurseries were
open, allowing accommodation for over 65,000 children. Another 160 were
being set up, to make place for a further 8,500 children. Provision had
also been made for 121,000 children under five in public elementary
schools while their mothers were at work, and 33,000 in nursery classes
and nursery schools.
The Child Welfare authorities had registered over
8,500 “daily guardians,” and over 10,500 children were being cared
for under this scheme, which must, however, be regarded as being
distinctly inferior, as a piece of social planning to the scheme of
providing proper day nurseries.
Residential nurseries for children under five are
controlled by the Ministry of Health, and service in them is regarded by
the Ministry of Labour as essential war work for women. Local Education
Authorities have also made fairly extensive provision for play centres
out of school hours for children of school age whose mothers are out at
work.
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