Tagging systems similar in design to the electronic tags used in clothes shops have been installed in at least 40 nurseries and creches throughout the UK. Defendants of tagging argue that it provides peace of mind for parents. But Judith Gillespie, policy development manager with the Scottish Parent Teacher Council, attacked the idea. 'I do not like children being treated like clothes in a shop. I find that offensive,' she said.
'It is also not necessary because security in nurseries is totally adequate. I think these systems are building on parental paranoia and exploiting it.'
Megan Bruns, projects co-ordinator at child safety charity Kidscape, said, 'I see it as a gimmick. We should not be treating children like endangered animals on a nature reserve.
'If a nursery takes proper safety precautions, it is not necessary to tag the children. Tagging the children gives a false sense of security. What would happen if the alarm system failed?
'It is important to teach children about personal safety, but the only thing they are learning through being tagged is that if they go to a certain point in the room they will hear an alarm. It does not make them understand what is dangerous.'
However, Inez Murray, owner of Four Seasons Nursery in Glasgow, said, 'I introduced a tagging system to provide added security.
'The safety of the children is of paramount importance and our own parents are very supportive of the initiative. The tags are small and unobtrusive and allow the children to move freely throughout their rooms.'
Council-run Belhaven Nursery in Glasgow introduced the 90 per month Little Cherub tagging system last year. Nursery teacher Brooks Harvey said, 'We are not using this system to replace vigilance or instead of professionalism and care.
'The idea came from a creche at a local supermarket. The technology was cheap and available and the parents and children are happy with it. There is a busy road outside and this just gives everyone extra peace of mind. No matter how vigilant and how well systems are run - and we do have a door entry system and security cameras - there is always a slim chance that something could go wrong as it has in other establishments. We did not introduce the tagging system because we have a problem with children leaving the building unnoticed, but simply to make the unthinkable less likely and add another safety precaution like having high door handles and safety plugs in sockets.'
Trevor Taylor of Insight (UK) , a company supplying the Little Cherub tags used in Belhaven Nursery, said, 'Our system gives parents and childcarers added peace of mind because they know where their children are.
'We provide the children with a badge to wear which will alert staff if the child goes near the exit doors. It is not an infringement on human rights and does not stop children from enjoying their activities in the nursery or infringe on their play. All it does is provide added safety.'
A spokesman for Glasgow Council said, 'The tagging systems have been introduced at two council-run settings at parents' request and not on behalf of the council.
'It is not council policy and has not been introduced through our instigation. They are being paid for through parents' funds, so they are not officially funded through the council.'