Mexborough & Swinton Times – Saturday 05 December 1942

A Home From Home

Swinton War-Time Nursery Opened

The first batch  of babies at the new nursery.

Mothers engaged on war work, who have young children, need have no qualms about sending them to the West Riding war-time nursery centre in White Square, Swinton, for the staff of trained children’s nurses will see to it that they are well looked after.

When a “Times” reporter visited the nursery centre on Monday, nine tiny children between the ages of a few months and live years were sitting happily on diminutive chairs at a correspondingly low table obviously enjoying their lunch, which consisted of mince, mashed potatoes and sprouts, with jam sponge and custard to follow. All the meals, which are part of a diet especially suitable for young children, are cooked in the nursery’s own modern and well equipped kitchen by a trained cook.

The nursery is light and airy and is decorated in green with animals pictured at intervals on the walls. There are many toys with which the children can play, although a lot more will be needed as the numbers Increase. Anyone with any old unwanted toys should leave them at the nursery centre where they will be gratefully received by both children and staff.

The cloakroom and lavatories recall a scene out of Lilliput. Each child has some animal as its symbol, and these adorn hand towels, bath towels, tooth-brushes and coat pep. There are several white wash basins and baths and great care is taken to see that every child is scrupulously clean before admission. The cloakroom leads into the laundry and then into the night nursery which is decorated in cream and in which 18 cots line the walls.

The matron is Mrs. R. B. Lee, of Rotherham, and deputy matron is Mrs. Hislop of Wath. The centre has two staff nurses, six nursery assistants, and two students.

It provides a 24-hour service each day in the week (including Sundays) and the charges are: 1s. 6d. for 24 hours (including meals), 1s. for 12 hours (including meals), 6d. for a short period (including meals), and 3d. for a short period (without meals).

The centre has sufficient accommodation for 48 children at one time, and before leaving their children, mothers are invited to look round.