THE CHILD AND THE SLUMS
[To the Editor of the SPECTATOR.]
Sin,- May I ask for a little space to support Lady Astor's appeal on behalf of the Nursery School, which appeared in your issue of June 18th?
The life of the slum baby is an abominable one. During the decisive years of pre-school age, he needs nurture of the body, mind and soul. And these he cannot get in his own home. Open-air Nursery Schools take children from the age of two to five. In the fresh air, ailments such as rickets, adenoids, sores and so on—the average lot of the poor child—disappear. At a cost of about 2s. a week, which just covers his food, for nine hours a day, the child can be in his rightful surroundings. Three proper meals and all the milk he needs are provided : he gets a two-hour rest at midday, and is looked after by specially trained teachers. He obtains the experiences which are needed for the development of his growing intellect.
The running expenses of the nursery school are small, and many more of them are needed. The cost per head in a large school is roughly 111 per annum. At present there are forty- five, some of which are receiving a grant, recognized by the Board of Education. In time it should be possible for every poor child to obtain this nurture which is his birthright. When every Council School is filled with healthy children, we shall have gone a long way towards solving the slum problem.—
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