Open Discussion Forum

  • 1.  Security Camera Policies

    Posted 07-29-2019 01:47 PM
    Hello,  For those of you who have cameras in the classrooms, what is your policy regarding who can see footage?  Because of privacy issues, I am reluctant to show footage to parents if there are other children in the video.  We want to put this in our parent handbook, so I would appreciate hearing your policy ASAP.  Please do NOT respond with pro or con of cameras.  Only respond if you DO have cameras and have a policy in place.  Thanks for your help!

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    Julie Bedard
    Wildwood FL
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  • 2.  RE: Security Camera Policies

    Posted 07-30-2019 08:04 AM
    Hi Julie,
    I work in a public PreK-3rd building.  Our office collects permission to publish pictures when a student enrolls.  Staff is sent a list of these permissions.  Our PreK team has also created a permission form for our websites.  The pictures/videos on the classroom websites are available only if you have the link and are given permission to view.  We find that families  that do not wish to have their child's photo published publicly on the school site will often give us permission for the classroom site.  We use the Google Suite for Education tools to host our website and photos. 

    ETA - we do not have dedicated video in our classroom but take random photos and video clips throughout the day. With the above permissions, I would not hesitate to share with a parent if I had previewed the clip and ensured it highlighted what I wanted to share/discuss. I tried to find the actual wording of both permission slips but I do not have the documents on my computer.


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    Kim Howe
    Maine RSU35
    South Berwick ME
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  • 3.  RE: Security Camera Policies

    Posted 07-30-2019 08:16 AM
    Our cameras are in the hallways and cover various points outside. We are a prek through 8th grade school and they are more for "intruder safety". That said, they've solved many a discipline issue. Only our principal and staff members can view the footage. Staff members view the footage with the principal.

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    Heather Finnegan
    Preschool Teacher
    Our Redeemer Lutheran Church with School
    Delavan WI
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  • 4.  RE: Security Camera Policies

    Posted 07-30-2019 09:52 AM
    We have cameras in place and our policy states: "Cameras are located in classrooms and other areas of the school for security purposes.  Recorded images will be reviewed in the event the Daycare/Preschool has a need to review the images.  Recorded information will be stored in a secure location at the school with access by authorized staff only.  Information obtained through video monitoring will be used exclusively for safety and security, and will be in compliance with CBS School Board policy" We had a family view their child and one of the family members knew another child's family and went back to them, blaming their child for behavior issues in the classroom.

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    Avia Stocker
    Director
    Curtis Baptist Daycare & Preschool
    Augusta GA
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  • 5.  RE: Security Camera Policies

    Posted 07-30-2019 10:39 AM
    ​In Navy programs, the only people allowed to review videos are the director/assistant director (and sometimes the trainer).  They are placed in the buildings as a child abuse prevention measure and anyone can view what is happening in real time.  In fact, most programs have the monitors up front in the lobby.  Parents are not able to review anything that has happened in the past without going through a lengthy and expensive Freedom of Information Act process with base legal, and even then, the videos are heavily redacted to ensure the privacy of the other children.  I often had parents ask when there would be a biting incident or something similar and my response was always that the cameras were in place to help prevent child abuse, not to "out" children who might be misbehaving (either age appropriately or not).

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    Jennifer W. Hardy
    Association Program Specialist
    San Diego, CA
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  • 6.  RE: Security Camera Policies

    Posted 08-01-2019 03:43 PM
    I worked for many years at a site that put in cameras in the classrooms and play yard while I was the site director. The supervisor of childcare programs made up an agreement to send out to the families and all new families that video monitoring is in place for security and safety reasons. The monitors are in a secure place (They were locked in a closet that only two people had the key to) and that only authorized employees or DCF/EEC staff would be able to view the tapes as necessary. Parents were NOT allowed to view tapes. Even I wasn't allowed to view the tapes most of the time. ​

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    Susan Garrison
    Early Education Administration
    Lanesborough MA
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