Żłobki i stacje „Kropla Mleka” jako placówki wspierające ubogie rodziny w Królestwie Polskim na przełomie XIX i XX wieku
Nurseries and „A Drop of Milk” Stations as the Centres Supporting Poor Families in the Kingdom of Poland at the Turn of the XIX-th and XX-th Centuries

Summary/Abstract: The article is devoted to the centers taking care of children under the age of three which were opened in the second part of the XIX-th century and at the beginning of the XX-th century in the Kingdom of Poland. They were supposed to support the poorest families, especially working or single mothers in fulfilling the educational and protective roles. This purpose was fulfilled mostly by nurseries, „A Drop of Milk” station sand sometimes orphanages. The last ones were for children between 3 and 7 years old but sometimes, in the countries, when people worked in the fields, they younger children could stay there. The centers for the protection of babies and toddlers were created and financed by private individuals, charities and other social organizations. Much attention was paid by press to the activity of nurseries and „A Drop of Milk” stations in the form of reports and postulates. The reporters tried to popularize the idea of institutional protection of small children, described possible solutions in western European countries, pointed to the fact that such institutions lowered mortality of small children from the poorest families, especially in the towns. Both theoreticians and practical activity of the institutions concentrated on nursing rather than educational role. In case of nurseries and „A Drop of Milk” stations the cooperation with the children’s mothers was necessary. The mothers were also educated how to protect and bring up a small child.

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