SECURITY seems to be the watchword these days and nowhere is it more important that in nurseries.

Now kidsunlimited has taken the step into biometrics.

The Wilmslow-based company is introducing a fingerprint recognition system to control access to its nurseries that will eventually log all access to the company's sites across Britain.

IT manager Kevin Preece said: "In the future, most security measures are going to move to biometrics because key fobs can be lost by parents and pin codes can be passed on, so finger prints make it a lot more secure."

Each nursery will register parents and guardians, and only they will be allowed access to the building.

"Parents are reacting really well, because we can decide who's actually moving in and out of the premises. Security is paramount in every parent poll we've done, because ultimately we are looking after their prized possessions," said Kevin.

The system has been provided by Sheffield-based Honeycomb Solutions which specialises in providing nursery security. kidsunlimited will have invested around £200,000 once the system is complete.

While biometric security in not new to nurseries, kidsunlimited is looking to integrate all the information into a central database using internet links, so that all access to its sites can be logged and controlled at its head office.

"We are putting in place the building blocks that will get us where we want to be.

"Lots of nurseries are taking up this technology, but where we are trying to do something different is by bringing the information together through the internet, and building up a database of who is in what building at what time.

"Eventually, we will be able to use it interrogate our own systems, and track all access by staff, including time and attendance. Also, if a child only attends nursery three days a week, we can block access on the other days."

Kidsunlimited has been running for 25 years and has 49 nurseries across the country, including corporate ones, and will be opening an operation in Chelsea in October. The new security system is being rolled-out in five more premises this week.

Lee Pearson, kidsunlimited's chief executive, said: "With our continued commitment to the provision of excellent security, technology and educational programmes at our nurseries across the country, we aim to remain at the forefront of innovative childcare and to challenge traditional views of the sector." Tweet