We are very concerned about this development. The literature with it states that the system will provide parents with peace of mind while they are at work. But will it? Are parents always going to tune in at times when their children are playing, eating or sleeping happily? Imagine the curious or even anxious parent who tunes in just when their child is upset, for whatever reason. The phone calls to the nursery to check on children will actually increase as parents seek explanations of what they have just seen (without knowing what exactly is happening over a longer period of time).
And what will happen to the relationship of trust between parents and carers? Naturally, parents will always need to be sure that where they leave their children is a place of safety, where they will be looked after in a loving and considerate manner. Good nursery staff will always seek to have strong relationships with parents and provide any amount of feedback or reassurance that is needed.
Will communications be aided by parents checking up on staff throughout the day in this 'Big Brother' manner, or will they diminish as a result of it? The staff looking after children are in the best position to know exactly how the child has fared throughout the day and whether there are issues the parent needs to know about. If anything was seriously troubling a child while at nursery, would staff not contact the parent anyway?
Then there is the issue of security. We all know the dangers of the web. To broadcast non-stop footage of children across the internet, burdening parents with the security aspect at their end, is an extremely worrying development. How safe are these systems?
Nurseries stand to gain financially from installing the system by taking a slice of parents' contributions. Is this the reason why nurseries would subscribe, and do parents really want this?
What do other nursery staff or parents think?
Denise Hopkins, on behalf of the staff at St Paul's Nursery, Bordesley Green, Birmingham
