Implications of CCTV cameras on child-care centres’ routines, peer relationships, and parent–teacher relationships: child care educators’ opinions

• Published in: International journal of child care and education policy (Seoul) Vol. 16; no. 1; pp. 9 - 18
• Main Authors: Meishar-Tal, Hagit, Forkosh-Baruch, A., Levy, L., Shenkar, T.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Singapore Springer Nature Singapore 01-12-2022; Springer; Springer Nature B.V; SpringerOpen
• Subjects: Cameras; Caregiver Attitudes; Caregivers; Child Abuse; Child care; Child Care Centers; Child care centres; Child care workers; Child Caregivers; Child Safety; Closed-circuit television; Early childhood; Early Childhood Education; Early childhood educators; Education; Educational aspects; Educational Policy and Politics; Foreign Countries; Interpersonal Relationship; Interviews; Parent-teacher relationships; Parents; Parents–caregivers’ relationships; Peer Relationship; Preschool Education; Preschool teachers; Privacy; Public Opinion; School Security; Security cameras; Semi Structured Interviews; Stress Variables; Surveillance; Surveys; Teacher Attitudes; Teachers; Trust (Psychology); Video Technology; Young Children; Israel; Early childhood; Security cameras; Privacy; Child care centres; Parents–caregivers’ relationships; Surveillance
• DOI: 10.1186/s40723-022-00102-3
• EISSN: 2288-6729
• ISSN: 1976-5681; 2288-6729

In recent years, surveillance cameras have become common in the education system, in early childhood child-care centres as well as in preschools and schools. Public opinion regarding the usage of security cameras in early childhood institutions is constantly increasing due to a growing number of incidents exhibiting child abuse by caregivers. However, meagre attention is given to the use of security cameras in early childhood child-care centres and preschools in the literature. We examined the opinions of child care teachers and caregivers about the implications of implementing cameras in child-care centres routines and how they reshape the relationships with parents and caregivers in Israeli child-care centres. Seven semi-structured interviews were conducted with seven child care teachers and caregivers. Results show that practitioners perceive cameras as generating a disruptive effect on child care centres’ routines. CCTV cameras may create stressful situations between parents and staff, as well as among staff, raising issues of mistrust and privacy violation. However, cameras also serve as a means of establishing mutual trust and maintaining good relationships with parents. This dual impact should be addressed by policy makers and stakeholders involved, who should be aware of the overall consequences of CCTV cameras in child care centres prior to installing such systems.