§ Mr. Douglasasked the Minister of Health whether he is aware of the difficulty of obtaining staff for day nurseries and the consequent overstrain imposed on those employed in them; and what steps are being taken to deal with this situation.
§ Mr. WillinkI am well aware of the difficulties of obtaining staff for day nurseries. Many steps are being taken to deal with the situation. My right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour and National Service has arranged to provide trained women where possible, and women who have had practical experience with children in private households as and when they become available. War-time courses of instruction are being held for untrained women over 31 years of age, who form a corps known as the Child Care Reserve, and a year's training for a nursery diploma is provided in the nurseries for girls leaving school at 15 or 16. In addition experienced nursery nurses are being given short courses of special instruction in children's hospitals and376W nursery training colleges to fit them for responsible posts in the nurseries.