Job Discussion Forums

Sherri · Posted: Thu Dec 04, 2003 1:16 am Post subject: Mommy is watching you!

Hi
After the discussion on the use of videos and observations by parents, I thought some of you might be interested in this. I just got back from dropping off my daughter at her preschool and was told of a new camera system they have set up.

So from now, the parents can log on to a secure site and view their child while at school. They have cameras set up in every room and outside in the garden. We can choose which camera and then zoom in on whatever we want to see. We can even access this on a cell phone! It really is amazing. I haven't tried it yet, but I will. It is nice to know that I can see what my daughter is up to at any given time.

I should add that this is a school for 2 and 3 year olds who attend for 4 hours in the morning and early afternoon, it is not an English school. They are mainly just playing, some is structured, some not. According to the head teacher, this technology is becoming more and more common in international preschools in Tokyo. I didn't have a chance to ask the teachers (both Japanese and non-Japanese) how they felt about it, but they didn't seem particularly worried, just proud of the service they were able to offer.

Gordon · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 5309 Location: Japan

That's pretty high-tech. If you don't mind me asking, how much is your yochen since we might enroll our daughter in a year or so? Where I live, there are no places that have cameras.

Sherri · Posted: Thu Dec 04, 2003 1:40 am Post subject:

Gordon
It costs just under 30,000 per month for 2 times a week (from 10:00 to 2:00). I think it is a good price considering that it is English medium. Are you in Tokyo? There is a big selection here, we are lucky.
S

shmooj · Joined: 11 Sep 2003 Posts: 1758 Location: Seoul, ROK

Gordon, you'll be blessed if you can find something in your neighbourhood. Are you going for the immersion japanese approach? Wink

My wife worked at a day nursery (English medium) in Nagoya and prices were out of this world. So was the pay mind you... English stuff does not come cheap. I think Sherri's getting a great deal.

I have heard of other schools doing what Sherri says so it seems there is demand for it. I wonder how something like this might go down, say, in public education back in the UK or elsewhere. Lead balloon springs to mind...

april · Joined: 07 May 2003 Posts: 83 Location: Australia

I know this service has existed for a couple of years here in Australia in some day-care centres....don't think it has begun in main-stream schools yet, I can't see there being any demand for it. Under-school age is different.

Gordon · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 5309 Location: Japan

I think we will enroll our daughter Crying or Very sad

in a Japanese pre-school. No other options here and she gets enough English exposure from her parents. Pre-schools here cost about 25,000/month and that is 5 days/week for 6 hours/day. We won't put her in for that long, but I think it will be the same price for 1 day or 5.