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News

First US 'Nanny-Cam' is here

By GENE KEMMETER
of The Gazette
The nation's first "Nanny-Cam" security system is operating in Stevens Point.

The Noel Group unveiled the system Monday, Nov. 20, during the grand opening of the Noel Learning Center, an early childhood development center for children of Noel employees and others in Portage County, at 1039 Ellis St., the former Weber Tackle Co. building.

The "Nanny Cam" system consists of 21 different on-site video cameras that provide parents with the opportunity to monitor their child in the center during the day through a secure Web site.

The center offers programs for preschool children, including computer training, foreign language courses, music lessons, swim lessons and other enhanced learning activities.

Patty and John Noel, owners of the Noel Group, said the center is a dream come true for them. "This is John's dream for day care," Patty Noel said. "He's a dream maker that gets things done."

John Noel said for the Noel Group "to be part of these kids' lives is precious." He said the center was developed by the Noel Group because of the employees who have helped the business grow.

He'd like to see the center expand, he said, and the Noel Group is willing to share the idea with other community members and businesses so they can develop their own. "Our children will create success in the future," he said.

The center is licensed for 58 children and the director is Lisa Falduto. In the infants' room, 16 cameras look into the 16 cribs so the parents can monitor their infant. "This is the only day-care center that has this technology in all of the country," Noel said.

"It's great for our employees," he said. "They can click onto the Internet and can be on the Web site in five seconds and see their child." A parent who drops a crying child off at the center can find peace of mind when checking the Web site and seeing the child participating in activities with other children, he said.

The parents have an access code to get onto the Web site and they can give the code out to people they want to, such as grandparents or others. They also have a coded entry card to enter the center, and the code can be changed if necessary for security reasons.

Connie Haack, director of human resources for the Noel Group, said parents can look on and see if their child is involved in another activity.

In designing the center, Haack said the staff saw many possibilities in the building, including decorating pillars as trees.

In addition to the infants' room, there are separate areas for various stages of child development, plus a laundry room and kitchen, with sinks of various heights to match the size of the children. A fenced area on the west side of the building provides playground equipment.

Noel said the center has already expanded beyond its original area, and he hopes to see it grow further.

During the dedication ceremony, children from the center performed the ribbon cutting, using safety scissors to cut a ribbon signifying the diversity of children throughout the world.



	First US 'Nanny-Cam' is here By GENE KEMMETER of The Gazette The nation's first "Nanny-Cam" security system is operating in Stevens Point. The Noel Group unveiled the system Monday, Nov. 20, during the grand opening of the Noel Learning Center, an early childhood development center for children of Noel employees and others in Portage County, at 1039 Ellis St., the former Weber Tackle Co. building. The "Nanny Cam" system consists of 21 different on-site video cameras that provide parents with the opportunity to monitor their child in the center during the day through a secure Web site. The center offers programs for preschool children, including computer training, foreign language courses, music lessons, swim lessons and other enhanced learning activities. Patty and John Noel, owners of the Noel Group, said the center is a dream come true for them. "This is John's dream for day care," Patty Noel said. "He's a dream maker that gets things done." John Noel said for the Noel Group "to be part of these kids' lives is precious." He said the center was developed by the Noel Group because of the employees who have helped the business grow. He'd like to see the center expand, he said, and the Noel Group is willing to share the idea with other community members and businesses so they can develop their own. "Our children will create success in the future," he said. The center is licensed for 58 children and the director is Lisa Falduto. In the infants' room, 16 cameras look into the 16 cribs so the parents can monitor their infant. "This is the only day-care center that has this technology in all of the country," Noel said. "It's great for our employees," he said. "They can click onto the Internet and can be on the Web site in five seconds and see their child." A parent who drops a crying child off at the center can find peace of mind when checking the Web site and seeing the child participating in activities with other children, he said. The parents have an access code to get onto the Web site and they can give the code out to people they want to, such as grandparents or others. They also have a coded entry card to enter the center, and the code can be changed if necessary for security reasons. Connie Haack, director of human resources for the Noel Group, said parents can look on and see if their child is involved in another activity. In designing the center, Haack said the staff saw many possibilities in the building, including decorating pillars as trees. In addition to the infants' room, there are separate areas for various stages of child development, plus a laundry room and kitchen, with sinks of various heights to match the size of the children. A fenced area on the west side of the building provides playground equipment. Noel said the center has already expanded beyond its original area, and he hopes to see it grow further. During the dedication ceremony, children from the center performed the ribbon cutting, using safety scissors to cut a ribbon signifying the diversity of children throughout the world.