Biometrics allays fear that swipe cards could fall into the wrong hands

A SMALL north Northumberland nursery has installed the latest hi-tech biometric security to ensure the safety of children and staff.

Lucker Nature Kindergarten, at Lucker, near Belford, has installed a biometric 'fingerprint entry' access system.

Manager Hollie Walker said that while the biometric locks improved security at the nursery, the system also made access easier for carers and parents.

The new system, supplied by Newcastle-based UKB International Ltd, allows nursery personnel to register parents' fingerprints in seconds.

Parents then simply press their fingerprint on a sensor pad at the door to gain fast, easy entry to the nursery.

They can leave or collect their children without fuss while unregistered visitors must ring a bell and wait for a member of staff.

The new system also means a member of staff is not needed to answer the door, but can concentrate on supervising the children, maintaining staff-child room ratios.

The biometric scanner identifies key points on the user's fingerprint. No actual fingerprint is stored since the scan is converted into data which is then encrypted and retained for future comparison. The encrypted data is only held by the nursery making it fully data compliant.

Mrs Walker said: "Our new biometric access system means greater security for children and staff, which is a paramount concern to us.

"Fingerprint entry means only registered parents and staff can access the nursery and they can do so easily without having to wait for a staff member to answer the door.

"If we had installed a swipe card security system, people could easily forget or lose their cards, and we would be concerned the cards could fall into the wrong hands.

"Now we can be certain that only people registered on our biometric system can gain entry to the nursery"

Lucker Nature Kindergarten holds a 'Good' Ofsted report in all areas of their childcare and education. Another Ofsted report praised the biometric entry system as 'protecting children from harm'.

Located in the original old village school, Lucker Nature Kindergarten provides child care for 15 children between the ages of 12 months and five years.

In addition to a secure, homely atmosphere, Lucker Nature Kindergarten offers a unique 'magic woods' natural learning environment.

The nursery also offers a holiday club for children up to eight.

It was established in 1998, by Lorraine Pattison whose daughter Hollie manages the nursery. Hollie's sister, Katie, is deputy manager.

Both are qualified nursery nurses, while Hollie holds an additional qualification in playwork, and is working towards her Early Years Professional Status and Katie has additional qualifications in health and social care and special educational needs.

UKB International, regional support manager, Craig White, said: "Security is of paramount concern at Lucker Nature Kindergarten and the management has specified the only key which cannot be lost, stolen, forged or hacked – the human fingerprint.

"Now staff, management and parents are comforted knowing only authorised persons can gain access."

Biometric fingerprint entry access system protects children from harm at Lucker Nature Kindergarten

Located in the sleepy coastal hamlet of Lucker in the original old village school, Lucker Nature Kindergarten provides child care for fifteen children between the ages of twelve months and five years. In addition to a secure, homely atmosphere, Lucker Nature Kindergarten offers a unique ‘magic woods’ natural learning environment The nursery offers wrap around care between 8.30am and 5.30pm with a holiday club for children up to eight years of age. Lucker Nature Kindergarten was established in 1998, by Lorraine Pattison whose daughter Hollie Walker manages the nursery.

Lucker Nature Kindergarten at Lucker near Belford has installed a biometric fingerprint entry access system promoting the ‘Every Child Matters’ initiative. This new system provides additional protection for children and nursery staff. Manager Hollie Walker specified the biometric locks to raise security while making access easier for carers and parents.

The new system, supplied by Newcastle based UKB International Ltd, allows nursery personnel to register parent’s fingerprints in seconds. Parents then simply press their fingerprint on a sensor pad at the door to gain fast, easy access. They can leave or collect their children without fuss while un-registered visitors must ring a bell and wait for a member of staff. The new biometric system means a member of staff is not needed to answer the door, but can concentrate on supervising the children, maintaining staff-child room ratios.

The biometric scanner identifies key points on the users fingerprint. No actual fingerprint is stored since the scan is converted into data which is then encrypted and retained for future comparison. The encrypted data is only held by the nursery making it fully data compliant.

Nursery manager Hollie Walker says: “Our new biometric access system means greater security for children and staff, which is a paramount concern to us. Fingerprint entry means only registered parents and staff can access the nursery and they can do so easily without having to wait for a staff member to answer the door. If we had installed a swipe card security system people could easily forget or lose their cards, and we would be concerned the cards could fall into the wrong hands. Now we can be certain that only people registered on our biometric system can gain entry to the nursery”

Lucker Nature Kindergarten holds a ‘Good’ OFSTED report in all areas of their childcare and education. Another OFSTED report praised the biometric entry system as ‘Protecting children from harm’.

UKB International Regional Support Manager Craig White says: “Security is a paramount concern at Lucker Nature Kindergarten and the management has specified the only key which cannot be lost, stolen, forged or hacked – the human fingerprint. Now staff, management and parents are comforted knowing only authorised persons can gain access to the nursery.”

Croydon nursery biometric system “not over zealous”

A nursery has introduced finger-scanning alarms in a bid to improve security.

Red Robin nursery in Thornton Heath has installed the biometric system meaning staff and parents must scan themselves in to reach their children.

Owners Ian and Wendy Benjamin claimed the device had given parents peace of mind at a time of heightened worries.

Mr Benjamin said: “I think with nurseries now you can never be too cautious.

“We put in the system not just to be more secure but so parents can feel more secure. That is half of the worry.”

He said he decided to install the extra security measure after visiting other nurseries where you walked through the main door and were straight away in the nursery with the children.

At the Red Robin, parents must first enter a “holding area” where the biometric scanner is located and only after they have had their fingerprint scanned can they enter the main nursery.

The biometric device uses a four-point scanner to read a finger, but cannot be used to replicate someone’s unique fingerprint.

A new parent initially is scanned in three times and the four-point layout is sent to a handheld device for authorisation. When given, the parent can then scan in and out at their leisure.

Mr Benjamin added: “We do get a lot of questions from people frightened of giving their fingerprint details but there is no scope for fraud.”

And he dismissed ideas the security system was overzealous, citing many nurseries now with CCTV and other security features.

He believes his is the first nursery in the country to have the security system, more often seen in a James Bond film than a local nursery, and thinks others will soon follow suit.

The system is currently being trialled with a small number of parents after being used on staff members. If successful, the scanner will be rolled out across all parents.