Webcam in nurseries

[gillunderhill]

Hi I co-own a large nursery and we are soon to move to new premises, giving us the opportunity to review security etc. A state of the art system is available which includes a biometric fingerprint entry system, CCTV, and webcam. I am interested in your thoughts about webcam (being able to view your child via the internet in their home room), and, if you had the choice between two similar nurseries, one with and one without webcam, which would you choose and why? Also if any of you already use a nursery with it installed, is it helpful?

Hope you don't mind me asking, and your honest opinions would be much appreciated! It would be great if loads of you answered then I could get an idea of whether the majority approve or disapprove.....

Many thanks!

[kindersurprise]

I would not use a nursery with this policy, for several reasons.

I chose the nursery because I liked the look and the feel of it, because I was happy with their pedigogical concept. I also love the calm and happy atmosphere in the kindergarten where my DCs go.

If I did not trust the staff in the kindergarten to treat my children well, then I would not leave them there.

I would also be unhappy about other parents constantly watching, it would certainly lead to some parents phoning constantly... little Jimmy has just been hit on the head by little Willie... or some such nonsence.
Conflicts that the staff would normally just sort out (or even better, let the children sort out themselves) would be monitored and analysed by parents.

Our Kindergarten offers the opportunity to spend a day in the Kindergarten, playing wiht the children and observing the day to day routine. I intend to do this soon, while obviously being aware that my DC will act differently when I am there, it will let me see what they are doing.

So, yes, this would definately be a factor for me not to choose your nursery.

Good luck with the new premises.

[MightyMoosh]

As a nursery nanny I'd be appalled if CCTV was installed anywhere I worked, if parents cant trust you why leave children with you? I think you need to consider your staff, fancy losing excellent staff over this!

[cmotdibbler]

The nursery DS goes to has secure webcam access, which I really like. Its great to be able to see that they are well settled during the day if its been a bit tricky dropping them off.
TBH the quality is such that you can only really identify your child by knowing what they are wearing that day, and each room has one camera so large areas aren't covered,

[ZinaD]

i'm a bit late on this thread but i came across it as i'm looking into nurseries and would opt for one with a webcam over one without, all other things being equal, so am looking for options in the twickenham area. i would love to be able to see how my baby's doing during the day, and be able to observe her in another environment and with other people and children. i'm not overly anxious and dd is very sociable so it would be as much out of interest as to calm my initial restlessness of leaving dd in other people's hands.

[Oblomov]

I don't like the idea. I am happy with ds's nursery. He loves it and I am happy with his care. I don't need a webcam to confirm this. If I did need confirmation, then I would be questioing myself as to whther care / this nursery was the right place for him.
Lets get back to basics and basic, loving care. If you are happy and your child is happy, YOU KNOW.
Webcams are just gimicy.

[TiggyD]

Firstly, if the pentagon computer system can be hacked into regulary, how secure would a day nursery system be?

Secondly, what about the staff? Would having a driving examiner sitting next to you in you can make you a safer driver or a nervous wreck?

Thirdly, how do you feel about other parents watching your children? Imagine your child having a tantrum for 'Mr Bobo', while at an office computer another parent encourages their workmates to "have a look at this"?

I would not work at a nursery with webcams, so you're also putting off good staff. (like me!)

You should realy spend the money on something else.

[coldtits]

I would not want other parents seeing my child biting / hitting / scratching their child. That sort of thing can start fights and ruin friendships.

The staff would be nervous wrecks - I'd rather the staff were good in the first place. And lastly, I would be a mess, constantly checking on my child, worrying if he was getting attention, watching him eat, ringing up to say "I just saw my Little Jonny being bounced on a nurse's knee - don't let her do that, he might bite his tongue" and other such crap from me.]

Bad idea IMO

[KT12]

My biggest concerns would be...who has access to the internet site? I am far too paranoid to have images on the web of my child. It would put me off the nursery.

[Nemostwonderfultimeoftheyear]

I have quite mixed feelings about this..if I had a webcam to view dc in nursery then I dont think I would move from pc and would always be worrying about if they were ok and temptation to check would be too much. However on the other hand I would like to be able ot check whenever I felt the need without turning up and disrupting them.
DDs are both starting a nursery tommorow and I am dreading it. I know if webcam was available I would be watching constantly. However the nursery does have an open door policy and I have also spent a good 4hrs there this week with the girls to see them settle in and how the staff treated them and the other children.