RESIDENTIAL NURSERY

NZ Truth, Issue 1285, 17 July 1930, Page 22

RESIDENTIAL NURSERY

How Women'? National Reserve Cares For Children PROBLEM SOLVED FOR PARENTS (.By Miss I. Sheppard, Hon. Secretary of the Women's National Reserve Residential Nursery, m a special interview with "N. 2. Truth.") The object of the nursery is to help sick mothers by relieving them temporarily of the ca.re of their children during their enforced absence m hospital.

NO. 137 Owen Street is the outcome of a little. creche, which was carried on by the Women's National Reserve, during- the war, m connection with the Soldiers' and Sailors' Wives Club; and it was through our association with this work that the great difficulty experienced by mothers m having their little ones cared. for while they were m hospital, was brought home to us. ' After giving- the mutter consideration it was decided by the committee that a Residential Nursery would provirlp the best means of dealing with

tie ones had passed through outnursery. •■• • . Last j'ear's figures are 198, and every year the number increases. So, from our small beginning- m 1920 with five little beds, you will realise how the Residential Nursery has grown. It has had to grow, because. of the demand! Our ability to carry on is largely . through the magnificent work of , members of thei different branches of the W.N.R. ' Year after year they have worked untiringly, and but for their efforts it would have been impossible to have

this problem, and a house was leased for the purpose, at a rental of three pounds per week, from Mrs. Tattle,, who kindly purchased it for the object and thus' made it possible for the committee to lease it. We commenced with one house, but to-day have two, one of which we still have to find interest on the mortgage. We hope some /■lo-vr tn ploar this

maintained t n c nursery. It is entirely the work of self -sacrificing and unselfish women that has made the Residential Nursery possible. "Great care is taken m" the matter of diet. The PLunket feeding is carried on by experts with excellent results, when the children are m long enpugh to benefit. There are two trained nurses and five probationers. The little

mortgage and then we shall be able tr> pro ahead with

ones are m residence for a fortnight or month,

to%o ahead with further improvements which are very much needed to enable us to cope with the demands for admission. ±, ■ „. It is interesting to note that at the outset—before we had benefited ,as a result of Mrs. Tattle's kindness—we approached^rnany citizens m the matter, but some considered it was too big a venture for private enterprise, while others were inclined to doubt the necessity for such an institution. However, results speak 'for" themselves. Not only have we been able to carry on and acquire two houses, but up to the end of last year 1520 lit- ■'■ I

thus making the changes continuous, which, of course, tells a great deal upon the staff. • A small charge is made for each child, based on the father's income, but this does not go very far when one takes into consideration the fact that we board, feed and clothe the little ones. , However, excellent administration .assists us over many "difficulties. Nevertheless, there is a great n'jed for money, not only to enable us to carry' on the work, but for improvements and to expand, which 'the great success of the work now demands.