The Robin’s Nest is a preschool serving children ages two through four as a mission of Palm Harbor United Methodist Church. In order to provide a joyful school experience, administrators must ensure a safe and secure environment. They reached out to Surveillance Technology, Inc. (STI) to help achieve this.
There is only one entrance to the Robin’s Nest program. The school’s previous access control solution consisted of only one outdated audio-only call box. The single camera was pointed down at the top of visitors’ heads and slightly to the side. The restricted view was insufficient to accurately identify the person standing at the door. School staff were unable to make informed decisions when granting access. Surveillance Tech installed new video door intercoms to allow Robin’s Nest staff to clearly see and speak to guests and approve access from a portable tablet or the reception desk. Receptionists can press a button on the base station or take a tablet with them and do it on the move. The old system had 3 separate components – a camera, an audio system, and a button to release the door – which were not integrated. Their new system from Surveillance Tech will do all 3 things from a single integrated platform, which has simplified the equipment and the process.
What made this project unique is the adjacent placement of several educational programs, causing a need for multiple systems to operate on the same door. On the campus with Robin’s Nest, you’ll also find the Westlake Christian School K-8 program, as well as Stars & Comets, the K – 8 before and after school program operated on the same campus. One access control system was needed to manage entry to the Robin’s Nest on the first floor, and another independent system is used to grant access through the same door to the Stars & Comets program on the second floor. Each program has its own station for granting entry to their respective spaces, so staff can make informed decisions to admit their own parents, students, and guests.
What is the best door access control for your needs? Surveillance Technology can assess the way you use your property and consult on a wide array of solutions to meet those needs. If you also need to control access to multiple distinct spaces, perhaps it would be helpful to empower teams from both spaces to have mutual ability to grant entry to both areas. Robin’s Nest wanted independent decision making, with each entrance controlled uniquely. But if your use case requires more flexibility, a module could be installed to facilitate dual control. It’s possible to connect up to 8 tablets on each system, depending on your needs and budget, so there is no need to fear that access management will become an overwhelming task for just one person.
The Robin’s Nest offers a loving, nurturing environment in which each child is treasured. Surveillance Technology is proud to partner with them to keep the little learners safe.
