British Association for Early Childhood Education

Scope and Content

Papers of the National Society of Children's Nurseries, 1908-1973, including NSCN policy documents and detailed reports on child education, 1914-1950; minutes of the Council, 1928-1973; minutes of the Executive Committee, 1935-1959 and 1970-1973; minutes of the Finance Committee, 1919-1939; minutes of the Training Committee, 1942-1946; minutes of the Crêche Committee, 1908-1934; minutes of Honorary Secretary's meetings and meetings of representatives of affiliated nurseries and homes, 1921-1939; minutes of the Advisory Board, 1941-1944; records of the Group Committee on the Training of Nursery Nurses, 1942-1945; Examiners minutes, 1943-1946; minutes of the Sub-Committee on the syllabus for the Child Welfare Course, 1946; minutes of the Editorial Committee, [1946]-1958 and 1969-1971; minutes of the Policy Sub-Committee, 1968-1970; minutes of the Conference Sub-Committee, 1961-1965; papers of the Policy Statement Sub-Committee, 1962-1963; reports of Annual General Meetings, 1930-1950; Press cuttings, 1940-1941, relating to NSCN and individual nurseries; NSCN pamphlets, 1960-1973; correspondence, 1973, relating to the winding up of the NSCN; account books, 1948-1964, and petty cash books, 1954-1966; register of members, 1932-1965; attendance register of Executive meetings, 1970-1973.
Papers of the Nursery School Association of Great Britain and Ireland, [1920]-1967, including material deposited by Grace Owen, former Secretary of the NSA, 1923-1948, notably papers from local groups, [1920-1939], correspondence with individuals and organisations, 1921-1925, NSA notes, correspondence and publications, 1925-1948, and correspondence to Owen from individual members, the National Union of Teachers and the NSCN, 1927-1935; correspondence and memoranda relating to the Slum Clearance Campaign, 1933-1934; minutes of the Executive Committee, 1940-1976; minutes of the Annual Meetings and Delegate Council, 1942-1947, and Delegate Council minutes, 1948-1964; minutes of the Finance Committee, 1936-1960; minutes of the Buildings Advisory Committee, 1943-1968; minutes of the Course and Conference Committees, 1936-1967; minutes of the Joint Committee of Council of Superintendents and Head Teachers of Infant Schools, 1937-1944; minutes of the Teacher's Council, 1945-1954; minutes of the Medical Advisory Committee, 1944-1971; minutes of the Education Sub-Committee, 1937-1938; minutes of the Evacuation Sub-Committee, 1938-1939; Nursery Centre Scheme Committee, 1941; Silver Jubilee Committee, 1948-1950; Private Nurseries Committee, 1954-1962; minutes of the Publications Committee, 1936-1967; NSA Annual Reports, 1929-1973; research documents on child development, 1920, 1947-1950 and 1972; NSA pamphlets, 1930-1964; NSA newsletters and newsheets, 1941-1974; material relating to Rommany Road Nursery School, West Norwood, 1919-1968, including minutes, legal documents and correspondence.

Administrative / Biographical History

The National Society of Children's Nurseries (NSCN), originally known as the National Society of Day Nurseries, was founded in 1906 (the name was changed in 1942). Until 1928 it was closely linked with the National League for Physical Education and Improvement (known from 1918 until its dissolution in 1928 as the National League for Health, Maternity and Child Welfare). The Nursery School Association of Great Britain and Ireland (NSA) was founded in 1923. In 1973, it merged with the NSCN to form the British Association for Early Childhood Education (BAECE).

Arrangement

Arranged in files, broadly according to subject.

Access Information

Open.

Other Finding Aids

Printed handlist and on-line catalogue available.

Archivist's Note

Sources: British Library of Political and Economic Science catalogue. Compiled by Sarah Aitchison as part of the RSLP AIM25 project.

Conditions Governing Use

Copyright retained by the depositor and their heirs. Most documents may be photocopied.

Custodial History

The papers of the NSCN were given in 1974; those of the BAECE (mainly comprising records of the NSA) were deposited by the Association in 1980.