The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1893-09-28
E. O. THOMPSON.
THE CRECHE At THE FAIR.
A Useful and Interesting Exhibit of the Day
Nursery System.

A Useful and Interesting Exhibit of the Day
Nursery System.
When the idea OF having q Creche or Day
Nursery Exhibit in the Children's building at
the Worlds Fair was first suggested to the
Board Of Women Managers OF New York State
by Miss Love OF Buffalo and adopted it met
with opposition from persons interested in
philanthropic work all over the country. 1t
was said that many foundlinRs would be left
there. that active exhibit was i'm practica BILE.
and that the nursery work itself would be in
jured. not helped, by poor showing Of its
methods. Some said that there would not be
twenty children left to be cared for each day:
others. that thousand mothers would apply
daily. In spite Of opposition. Miss Love and
Mrs. Arthur NJ. Dodge Of New York determined
to try 1t. and make it not only an exhibit Of the
Day Nursery System. but a charity to mothers
and children visiting the exposition. The re-
suit has fully met their expectations, as many
they hope 1t will be- the means OF starting day
eS neede h Few ar q he we wers
cities oa haye even yn one where several would do
mas not enough for the growing population.
Day nurseries are for the benefit Of poor wo-
men VII? go out to work by the day. and are
physically but IN ora lly rs well. Their bodies are
kept clean. their health cared for and their
children come often. and learn to love the nur-
sery-some times better than their homes
consequently it takes little care e max them
dren are changed each day. and are usually
homesick. SO that it has been difficult tc make
time carry out the rules Of a day nursery; but
In most cases this has been accomplished. 1t
earinS Change Of Clothes an and de baths. Which
STe Necessary anmIanG children Of the very poor
az has been possible with transient children.
The EXHIBIT has been under two manage
Frsp ming School Tor Nursery Maids Of Baf
OF Miss Love. with Mrs. Harris in Charge as
m MI r During the last three mouths The
connected With the Babies Hospital, have besa
repIesent;tdh TndeI re SsGpsryisi9n q Mrs
Until August the number OF children ad-
tendance at the FIR nt snee the sn erowds
have increased. hundreds have been turned
away for lack Of room. the corps OF assistants
increased. and the patience and strength OF the
nurses taxed to the utmost. The small sum
CHARGED twenty, FIVE eentsIpays for the food
Of New York state bearing the chief expenses.
The system Of checking the children (which
was the only method safe with such numbsrs)
has led to some ridlcuIe and much misunder-
landing as to the object OF the nursery but
those VINO planned and carried out the ex-
hlbt hope that real good has been accom-
plished. The present experiment has proved
that an active day nursery in connection with
expositions is not an impossihiiity. Al tho
Paris Exposition, in the city where the first
Creches were started, the exhibit was only
silent one and 1t is an interesting fact that
during the Paris Exposition nearly thousand
children were abandoned on the grounds while
only three have been forsaken In the day nur-
sery exhibit at Chicago. and all OF those on the
opening day.
The Interest Of the public In this exhibit ia
increasing. There Is always q crowd in front
Of the windows looking into the nursery
rooms. OF all the exhibits which New York
State has sent to tho Exposition not one has
created more interest. accomplished more
good. or brought more credit.