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KidWorks was born in the digital age, in
1997, just as the internet was ramping up. Looking back, if we'd taken the money we used
to open the schools and just bought some Apple stock instead, we'd be millionaires by now,
just like Forrest Gump. But I digress. From the start, we've always used technology to
keep our parents more connected to their children, because even a little uncertainty about
your child's welfare is the worst stress you can endure. You simply cannot give your best
at work if you're not completely confident about how your child is doing. We were the
first (and only) preschool in Florida to issue digital pagers (remember those?) to every
family at the center. Throughout the day, we broadcast little class-specific text messages
about where the children were in the school and what they were up to. Parents were hooked.
But we were replacing a half dozen lost pagers every month at $50 a pop. So...
In 2000, we became the first (and only)
preschool in Gainesville to install live internet webcams. Parents and out of town
family members were now able to log on anywhere and check in on their little ones. As the
camera technology and internet speeds have increased, we've upgraded the cam systems to
take advantage, with bigger, clearer images and faster refresh speeds.
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An actual screen grab from one
of Tioga's live streaming HD webcams, viewable on any PC, Tablet or Smartphone
Some
fun facts about KidWorks LiveCam system.
- KidWorks uses the NetCam XL
1.3MP, built by StarDot Technologies in Orange, California. StarDot NetCams are used
by many major tourist attraction and are known for their rugged construction and high
quality imaging.
- We do not rely on a third party
web host to provide the streaming video feed to our viewers . We retain complete, local
control over the security of the streams.
- Each camera is a stand-alone
Linux based web server. When you log in to view a feed, you're connecting directly to the
camera itself via KidWorks own secure internal network. No outside party has access to our
feeds.
- To accomodate the streams,
KidWorks increased it's broadband capacity by 400%. We have the highest level of
commercial service Cox can provide. This allows the cameras to update a very large, high
definition image every second. The next level would require a dedicated fiber optic line
from the school to Cox.
- Each camera can serve up to
twenty five simultaneous users with no loss in image quality or speed.
- KidWorks installs, configures
and maintains its own cam system. We also develop and maintain the KidWorks website and
camera interfaces, and we provide our own end-user support.
- KidWorks was the first center
in North Central Florida to offer live webcams, beginning eleven years ago at our
Millhopper school.
- The number one reason cited by
center owners for not providing parents with the ability to monitor their school is fear
of being inundated with phone calls from parents questioning what they see on-camera. Duh!
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