Potential DCP Asked If Ok To Bring In Webcam?

[LAPE]

Hi everyone. This is my first post but I've been reading the boards for a while now!

I had a family tour in April, DCM due 7/25, and they are looking for care starting in September/October. They are very interested in bringing their baby here and DCD just emailed me and asked if they could bring a webcam (they would provide it). I have a few other DCK enrolled and I'm not sure how I feel about respecting the privacy of the others (especially with the recent hackers who were able to log on and watch). Any thoughts, suggestions, ideas appreciated!

[Naptime yet?]

I would say no because of the privacy issue and you could explain it that way to the new parents.

I would feel like I was being scrutinized in my own home .

[NoMoreJuice!]

First of all, welcome!!

Secondly, Absolutely not!!! It is a privacy issue, and you could be discussing confidential matters with other families. You will definitely be discussing things that are none of that family's business. And if they don't trust you, they have no business leaving their baby with you anyway.

If I were interested in taking on this family (which I never would) I would suggest that they use my open-door policy to come check on their baby whenever they'd like. If they are assured that they can come in any time they wish, they will usually feel better about leaving their baby. It is very important to develop a bond of trust between parents and daycare providers! Stress to them how much you value that trust.

[coolconfidentme]

h*** no!!!

[Unregistered]

Hell to the no!!!

Nope tell them to get a nanny. It's your home not theirs and a million times NO! Ask them if it would be ok if you put web cam up in their house so you can video the baby when in their care. I bet they would get a hit then.

[Heidi]

First of all, welcome!!

Secondly, Absolutely not!!! It is a privacy issue, and you could be discussing confidential matters with other families. You will definitely be discussing things that are none of that family's business. And if they don't trust you, they have no business leaving their baby with you anyway.

If I were interested in taking on this family (which I never would) I would suggest that they use my open-door policy to come check on their baby whenever they'd like. If they are assured that they can come in any time they wish, they will usually feel better about leaving their baby. It is very important to develop a bond of trust between parents and daycare providers! Stress to them how much you value that trust.

Ditto this!

This would be a red flag for me in signing this family on. Another one, and I'd say "no thank you". While I totally empathize with how hard it is to leave your baby with someone, they need to get over it or it'll be H-E-double hockey sticks with them. They will make unrealistic requests, write you pages of instructions, call you at all hours for little things, etc. Baby will get a mosquito bite, and you'll get a formal hearing.

[Chellieleanne]

I would tell the parents what you just posted, it is for the privacy of the other kids. However maybe compromise and offer to text or email pics through the day? That is what I do with my dck's when they first start. Then over time I back out slowly as parents and child get comfortable.

[CraftyMom]

Nope, not here!

[KidGrind]

h*** no!!!

You and I are on the same page. I thought:

What the fudge?!

I would respond. "I understand your wish to be able to view your child during the day. I have other children in care and it would be inappropriate. I am sure you’d would be uncomfortable with strangers viewing your child on a webcam."

I’d also like to remind you this is my home. The hiring of a nanny in your home and setting up webcams may be an option for you.

[Maggie]

I've only had one family ever ask to do this, it was also the dad asking btw, I told them no way. They ended up signing on with me anyway. They were with me for 3 years before I termed due to dad being creepy with boundary issues.

[MarinaVanessa]

I would say no also and explain your position about being hesitant because other DCP's may be concerned with the privacy of their children. I would be direct with them. Sometimes suggestions don't sound crazy until they hear it from someone else.

"Unfortunately I don't think this will be a possibility. I have to think about the privacy of the other families that I care for and I honestly don't think that they'll feel comfortable with letting a stranger have access to video of their children. To be honest I don't feel comfortable with this idea either considering that I change the children's diapers and I know as a parent I wouldn't like any other adult except for my child care provider to see my child without a diaper. It just seems too complicated for me to think that it could work with my group of families".

Maybe even add "If you feel like you prefer access to video of your child during child care hours may I suggest perhaps looking into hiring a nanny or finding a daycare center that has video access."

Seems like a red flag to me and I would be hesitant to taking this parent on as a client. I would make certain to clarify my rules about parents staying at daycare and "popping in" etc. Sounds like there will be trust issues.

[Blackcat31]

Welcome to the forum!

Here are several other threads about video cameras and recording in child cares

https://www.daycare.com/forum/showthread.php?t=63539

https://www.daycare.com/forum/tags.php?tag=video+monitors

https://www.daycare.com/forum/tags.php?tag=webcam

https://www.daycare.com/forum/showthread.php?t=63752

[Hunni Bee]

h*** no!!!

[TwinKristi]

Yeah... No! I would NOT allow anyone to put a camera in MY HOME. If they want a nanny cam at home and have little video chats while working then go for it! But it's a breech of privacy for your family and the others in your care. Bring up the fact that you change other children's diapers and discuss personal information about children with their parents or with your own family. This is a HOME daycare, not a center with cameras and web chats! You pay a lot more money for that type of access to your child whether it's a nanny in your own home or a center. Also, webcams can be hacked into if they're "online" and you don't feel comfortable with that risk.

[mountainside13]

Agree with everyone else! Plus you would have to disconnect it every night because they might try to watch inside your home after daycare hours. Creepy!