?webcam in preschool rm?

[MountainMamaOf2]

Has anybody had a webcam in their dc's preschool
for people observe the class?

My dd1 just began Montessori and she loves it, yet my dh and I are very much concerned. It's been discovered that not only has the password remained the same for five years, but people DO NOT need the password to get in and watch our children. (Anyone can get in and observe
online without anyone knowing...)

We absolutely love everything (else) about this Montessori school!

Anyone heard of or dealt with this?

[MountainMamaOf2]

I've asked friends (in 3 states) and only one had a webcam in their preschool. The funny thing is, it required a *thumb print*
to get in!

I understand it's a new technology, and many places either require high security or parents do not allow it.

To have found the password in less than one minute, is unsettling...

Anyone else...?

[eloquence]

Are you serious?

Get your child out of there.

[rozzie'sma]

I would not be comfortable with that

[eloquence]

Okay, I've been thinking about this all day while I was out.

I think my first response was out of my personal research and convictions about the internet and images and not really good advice in response to your question. So after thinking about it here is what I would advise you. To trust what her father and you feel about the whole deal. If you feel she will be safe, then I would go with that. But if you have even a doubt about her safety, I might talk with the webmaster/school admin...whoever is appropriate.

[mightymoo]

I wouldn't withdraw my child just based on that - I would address the issue with the director of the school, if it wasn't resolved satisfactorily, I might consider withdrawal. It is concerning, definitely, but they may not realize there is an issue, web management is not usually the specialty of those who run the school and they may not be able to afford someone to do it for them.

[MountainMamaOf2]

Originally Posted by mightymoo

I wouldn't withdraw my child just based on that - I would address the issue with the director of the school, if it wasn't resolved satisfactorily, I might consider withdrawal. It is concerning, definitely, but they may not realize there is an issue, web management is not usually the specialty of those who run the school and they may not be able to afford someone to do it for them.

:

My dh and I approached the directors by writing a letter last week and the first response was basically, 'thank you but there's not a problem'. Just as mightymoo stated, they may not realize there is an issue.

This preschool is brand new (built from the ground up) and just opened. When they bought another location, the webcam was already in place and they haven't had to really manage it since, and the password's been the same for five years. We wrote a second in-depth letter and hope to meet in person as soon as possible this week. The earlier the better.

Ignorance plays a role here. Preschool is sweet for the little ones yet the world is not like that!!

[MountainMamaOf2]

Good news!

The school responded (after the 2nd letter) positively to the request
to shut down the webcam. ON the basis that anyone could find the password with very little knowledge of the internet, they respectfully responded to our request!

We're learning how grateful other parents are to our protecting (all) our children and everyone's happy

THanks for your support

[AngelBee]

Just the title of the thread freaked me out :