FREE NURSERY AVAILABLE TO BAY DISTRICT

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 15, Issue 81, 11 August 1950, Page 5

FREE NURSERY AVAILABLE TO BAY DISTRICT

i A residential nursery where par- , ents who are to be parted from their children for a short period may leave them is available to parents in the Whakatane district. According to information received last week by Mrs J. Metcalfe, President of the Whakatane Branch of the League of Mothers, at the annual conference of the Waikato area no charge is made but the service has been particularly helpful to mothers who have had to enter hospital for any reason. Over 200 delegates from 15 branches attended the conference and considered the nursery service, which is supported entirely by the Mary Bryant Trust Board. In a letter to the conference the Board’s secretary stated:— “I desire to bring to the notice of the various bi’anches of the League of Mothers in the Waikato district, the opportunities afforded to mothers who find it necessary to be separated from their small children, of leaving their infants in the care of the Mary Bryant Residential Nursery. “The Nursery is established for the purpose of catering for children between the ages of six months and 18 months, whose mothers are about to enter hospital for an operation or confinement or whose health is seriously endangered for other reasons, and who are unable to arrange for the care of their children. In such cases, the Home may be of service. The Home is supported entirely by the Mary Bryant Trust

Board, and donations are not accepted, nor are charges made. The only conditions governing admissions are a recommendation and certificate from a medical practitioner and an assurance that the child is free from any contagious disease. It is understood, of course, that the Home is not a hospital for sick, but is a Residential Nursery. Parents need not feel any embarrassment in taking advantage of the Home service. It is conducted by a highly qualified staff whose love for children creates a happy atmosphere. Generally, the children benefit from their stay at the Home. It is felt that the League of Mothers may come across cases where the

care of little children becomes a problem to parents and the board would like the various branches of your League to know of the work which is being done by the Nursery. “The matron, secretary or any doctor would be pleased to furnish information concerning the activities of the Home and the Board hopes to be given the opportunity of giving a helping hand to those who need it as the occasion arises.” Mrs Metcalfe and the committee of the Whakatane League of Mothers invite inquiries about this service and will assist with further information required.