Nursery and pre-schools are often regarded by the criminal element as soft targets, but a new biometric access and management security system aims to change this.
Intelligent Secure Administration Systems (ISAS) has developed a system designed for nursery and pre-schools that, in addition to its role of controlling access to the premises, can also be used to monitor a wide range of other school management requirements.
"ISAS is very much focused on the education sector, and the system in use at the nursery schools is a spin-off from one we have developed for primary and secondary institutions," says Martin Britz, COO of ISAS.
"The system applies biometric fingerprint technology with the ability to track and monitor the access of teachers, staff, children and parents."
He says that through this crucial control procedure, the system is also able to administer several functions of immense importance to the effective daily management of a school.
"These range from time and attendance of staff and children, to the compiling of accurate daily, weekly, monthly and yearly progress reports; an integrated point-of-sale system; cash and payment management; sports administration and the secure management of personal data."
Hermien Kruger, principal-owner of Smiley Kids Primrose, one of five pre-schools to have adopted the system so far, says it takes just a second for tragedy to happen thanks to an open door or gate, which makes this system extremely efficient.
"Abduction by a stalker - or even an estranged parent - is a real threat also, with children seen as soft and trusting targets.
"Parents should have uninhibited access to their children and the opportunity to chat with any member of staff without having the formality of an appointment, so this system provides the reassurance of transparency in what we do for our parents."
She says the parents are equally excited about the project, as they know they can enter the premises at any time, but still enjoy the peace of mind of knowing their children are safer.
"ISAS`s biometric system can also be adapted easily to a system that scans eye retinas, as well as voice recognition, to provide a foolproof way of establishing identity," says Britz.
"The system has proved to be so successful that we have even begun exporting into markets that are traditionally at the forefront of this type of technology, such as the US and Canada."
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