FOR WOMEN NURSERY CENTRE

Auckland Star, Volume LXXVI, Issue 71, 24 March 1945, Page 9

FOR WOMEN NURSERY CENTRE

HOW IT WORKS

TIME OFF FOR MOTHERS A booklet of- infinite value to city or suburban mothers with young families has been issued by the Wellington Nursery Play Centre's Association. Because there are few mothers who have not at some time minded friends' or neighbours' children for a few hours and had their own children minded in return, the nursery play centre was devised for the greater help of all such women and for their children. Intended as a guide to those wishing to work together to form a centre, the booklet explains that by paying a very small sum and by taking turns in helping to mind the children about every 10 or 12 weeks, mothers may provide themselves with several free afternoons for one afternoon "on duty." Looking after the children is easier- since it is made a whole-time business outside the mother's own home, where there are always distractions and domestic duties. The mothers are relieved of the main burden of responsibility for other people's children, because the nursery play centre is in the charge of a qualified supervisor. The children also benefit. They have the advantages of wider companionship with others of their own age-groups and of similar attainments, which is good for their development. The provision of kindergartens and subsidised play centres everywhere would be a vast and costly undertaking calling for extensive staff, and cannot be expected in the near future, it is stated. But the purpose of nursery play centres is to help mothers to help themselves with a scheme which is practicable and inexpensive. It is an aim ot the association to further the kindergarten movement, and establishing a nursery play centre is one way of working toward the development ot a kindergarten in- the district. The Wellington association has had the help of the Wellington Free Kindergarten Association, and many of its supervisors are trained in kindergarten work.