Little Link ID, designed for childminders, ensures that young children can be quickly identified and safely reunited with their families if a carer becomes incapacitated while out in the community.
The platform has been awarded a £25,000 Start Up Loan from the British Business Bank, alongside business planning and support.
Launched in mid-March, Little Link ID is the brainchild of Karean Carr, a registered childminder and mother of three from Barry with 13 years of experience in the field.
Ms Carr said: “As a childminder, you’re out and about with children who aren’t your own.
“I suddenly thought: if something happened to me while driving or on a nursery run, how would anyone know who the children were with, or how to contact their parents?
“Some childminders have up to 30 children on their books.”
The platform uses digital badges, equipped with secure QR code and tap technology, that childminders can wear while working.
In an emergency, authorised responders can use the badge to access parent-verified contact details and essential safeguarding information.
Importantly, sensitive personal data remains protected through the platform’s routing technology, remaining aligned with GDPR.
Ms Carr said: “The reality is we often rely on paper notes or phone contacts that are password-protected.
“In an emergency, that’s simply not good enough.
“Little Link ID provides a work around if this situation were to ever arise, while also aligning with GDPR and protecting families’ privacy.”
Each badge links to a secure digital profile, allowing quick access to emergency contacts without exposing full personal details.
If lost, a badge can be deactivated immediately via the platform’s dashboard.
The concept is already generating interest, with more than 70 childminders joining a waitlist since its mid-March launch.
Ms Carr said: “At its heart, this is about protecting children.
“If the worst happened and a childminder was injured or unconscious, Little Link ID ensures that help can quickly identify the children and contact their families.”
The British Business Bank’s Start Up Loans team also provided help with marketing, forecasting, and identifying further funding opportunities.
Ms Carr believes the platform could transform safeguarding for thousands of solo childcare professionals.
Little Link ID builds on existing emergency procedures by digitising and securing information, making it more accessible and reliable for those caring for children outside the home.
