Neighbor Shared Nanny Cam Story

[KDC]

acually today as I'm vacumming the house, the cord gets stuck and I pull it and as I pull it, my skirt goes up too, showing off my grannies. Can you imagine another parent seeing this. The kids just laugh, but I would be embarressed if it was a parent, or the day my shirt was on back wards.

I gotta say, after this story it make me think "I wonder if anyone is watching me stuff these marshmallows in my mouth?"

I think the whole Nanny cam is to catch someone 'off guard' or 'in the act', but it is a huge violation of personal space. I'm just having fun with the kids, but if I pass gas or claim 30 sec rule for a potato chip -- does the parent need to know? I have references from parents and relatives that say I'm a caring, loving Mother/provider. If someone told me they had a camera, I don't know how I'd react. I have nothing to hide, but I don't think I'd want someone watching my every move.

Most people have someone watching their computers at work (know the websites you visit) - and if a boss was watching their every move I doubt they'd like that?

[spud912]

I have seen other in-home daycares advertise that parents can view their children anytime of day. I have absolutely nothing to hide, but I don't want to open myself up to a whole slew of nit-picking. I am a one-woman show here and therefore cannot be in multiple places at the same time. There are periods of the day where I have to change a diaper (the changing area is in the bathroom so I can have quick accessibility to a sink) or I need to do stuff in the kitchen (which is next to the playroom and our floor plan is open, so it's not like the children are unsupervised). However, if a parent were to login and see a snip-it of my day and they don't see me in the room for a couple of minutes, they may start judging my ability to properly care for the children. Like I said, everyone is always within earshot and under close supervision, but it may look "bad." For that reason, I would not install the cameras for viewing. Plus, what happens after-hours? I don't want parents peaking in anytime they want!

[Heidi]

I have seen other in-home daycares advertise that parents can view their children anytime of day. I have absolutely nothing to hide, but I don't want to open myself up to a whole slew of nit-picking. I am a one-woman show here and therefore cannot be in multiple places at the same time. There are periods of the day where I have to change a diaper (the changing area is in the bathroom so I can have quick accessibility to a sink) or I need to do stuff in the kitchen (which is next to the playroom and our floor plan is open, so it's not like the children are unsupervised). However, if a parent were to login and see a snip-it of my day and they don't see me in the room for a couple of minutes, they may start judging my ability to properly care for the children. Like I said, everyone is always within earshot and under close supervision, but it may look "bad." For that reason, I would not install the cameras for viewing. Plus, what happens after-hours? I don't want parents peaking in anytime they want!

Or...how's this.

Bobby and Johnny are playing with trucks. Johnny swipes Bobby's truck, and Bobby grabs back. Then, Johnny whacks Bobby over the head. You are across the room reading a story, and by the time you get there you intervene, they are outright wrestling for the truck, both crying.

Just as you are prying them apart, console them, and gently explain that we take turns, and we don't hurt our friends and Oh look how sad you both are....

both parents call you to ask where the heck you were because you were out of camera range...
or...
Bobby's parent is calling you to say nasty things about her Angel Johnny.

yeah....NO!

I once had a dcm who threatened a 4 yo in my program for hitting her angel. She told him if he did it again, she would call his dad and tell him to SPANK him. Uhhh... This is the same mom who's daughter spent 45 minutes on my "playground" after daycare was over because she "didn't want to go home". That daycare relationship didn't last long....

[MyAngels]

I think the dad is overreacting, but I would absolutely install a nanny cam and would never apologize for it. I wouldn't tell the nanny, either, unless I was legally required to do so. I don't think it's sneaky or underhanded, either. Yes, you'd like to think that your instincts are spot on when it comes to your choice of caregivers, but it's a sad fact that that's not always the case.

As a matter of fact, if I ever get to the point where I have to hire a caregiver for my mother, I'll be doing the same thing.

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

Okay, I'm quoting myself here because I don't think I can quote everyone who disagrees with my position .

I'm not talking about someone having a camera in a daycare provider's home. In my case, since I'm licensed, I'm open to any number of inspections, plus parents have the right to come in at any time and I have an open door policy. That's enough oversight to give some peace of mind for most people IMO.

I'm talking about strictly a nanny or adult senior caregiver situation. If I were a nanny I would fully expect that there would be cameras - you almost have to these days. I wouldn't care if they were there and I wouldn't care whether I knew about them or not. If I need to adjust my bra I'm going into a private area to do it.

I would imagine in most states it's required to notify employees if they are subject to monitoring, and that includes nanny cams. I know it's law in Illinois, where I live. In that case I certainly would give notice, but if I didn't have to I might not. It would depend on the situation.

As far as trust goes, as I said, I'd like to think my research, intuition, etc. would be spot on, but there are just too many stories of breaches of that very same trust to be completely sure. I love my children, grandchildren and elderly parents too much to take the risk that I, in my infinite wisdom, might be wrong.

[Heidi]

Okay, I'm quoting myself here because I don't think I can quote everyone who disagrees with my position .

I'm not talking about someone having a camera in a daycare provider's home. In my case, since I'm licensed, I'm open to any number of inspections, plus parents have the right to come in at any time and I have an open door policy. That's enough oversight to give some peace of mind for most people IMO.

I'm talking about strictly a nanny or adult senior caregiver situation. If I were a nanny I would fully expect that there would be cameras - you almost have to these days. I wouldn't care if they were there and I wouldn't care whether I knew about them or not. If I need to adjust my bra I'm going into a private area to do it.

I would imagine in most states it's required to notify employees if they are subject to monitoring, and that includes nanny cams. I know it's law in Illinois, where I live. In that case I certainly would give notice, but if I didn't have to I might not. It would depend on the situation.

As far as trust goes, as I said, I'd like to think my research, intuition, etc. would be spot on, but there are just too many stories of breaches of that very same trust to be completely sure. I love my children, grandchildren and elderly parents too much to take the risk that I, in my infinite wisdom, might be wrong.

I totally get you. I really don't have an issue with a nanny cam. I only have an issue with the nanny not being informed. First of all, knowing there are cameras, a person with eh, issues, would probably not take the job in the first place. If they did, then they'd most likely behave knowing the cameras are there. So, by just having the cameras and informing the employee, you're going to prevent most issues. Having SECRET cameras is passive aggressive to me.

[Unregistered]

I see where you are coming from but as a parent, don't you think you should trust your caregiver?

If you can't (which is understandable) then you really only have one choice....don't leave your child with someone other than you or your immediate family.

I don't think it is fair or right to justify one's fears or mistrust of others by using a secret video camera to record their actions.

I am pretty sure everyone of us here (as providers) would flip out or be livid if our DCK's all came with secret recording devices in their diaper bags and backpacks...kwim?

That trust has to go both ways.

We can't be mad if DCP's want to do it if we ourselves would do it too.

fwiw~ this isn't directed solely at you....you were just the last one to reply

I agree with all of this. It is one thing to have a nanny cam, but I'd expect to know about it. And just for the record, FAMILY is often the biggest culprit of abuse, not some daycare lady trying to make a living. Sure there are some bad apples out there, but that's with anything. That's why research and trust is very important. What this dad "caught" the nanny doing was so ridiculous. OMG she told the older kid to pick up the cup and her smaller baby she picked it up for him and hugged him! She should be jailed!

I mean, seriously. There's a lot worse things parents should be worried about that that kind of crap, and if he's this nitpicky, perhaps he can try keeping his own children. He needs to work, though, right? He has to make a choice: Either he quits and stays home and figures out budget somehow OR he stops being such a baby and realize that the nanny IS keeping the child safe, and clearly (so far) has done nothing wrong and seems to be a good one. I'd be pissed if I were her and if I ever found out someone was illegally recording me (secretly, without permission) then I'd walk out on that job.

That said, as a provider, if you have cameras you installed, and you notified the parents and they agree, I feel they can be a valuable asset to your child care center/home. The difference? Your parents would sign off on it and agree, whereas the nanny had no idea she was being recorded.