Nanny Cam Post Reply

[NorthcoteLuvvie]

Hi
I've been reading the posts on here about "is your nanny who you think" etc, has anyone tried a nannycam? I've seen them on Amazon (link below) but not sure if they're "workable"

http://amzn.to/o9Fxu8

I've put a link to the Amazon page above but shortened it, it was too long

NCL

[RJW81]

Please be aware that it is totally illegal to film your nanny with a nannycam without informing her. And begs the question, if you don't trust her, why would you leave your children with her?

[Ebonyfun]

You took the writing out of my fingers! What kind of Mother (I'm a nanny and also a mother so can make such a statement) would leave their child/children with a Nanny whom they do no trust, whilst waiting for the arrival of a Nanny cam from Amazon????? I'm totally disgusted. If you don't trust your Nanny and don't trust her references then trust your heart.

[Kikimoss]

I really feel the need to post something in response to this as I feel completely disgusted in the fact one would even consider putting a nanny cam in their house. It is a complete violation of our rights and what kind of person would you be by doing that and leaving your child with someone you don't trust???? We work bloody hard to love your children, soothe them, educate them, teach them life skills, respect, patience and understanding... We more often than not are totally taken for granted and unappreciated!

It is a reality and a sad one at that, that there is always a sour grape in the bunch! If you don't trust your nanny then you need to sort out the problem and resorting to a hidden camera is unacceptable!

[Jtheroux]

Having a nanny cam in most areas of ones house is not illegal - only in bathrooms and nannies bedroom. Most workplaces have cct or open plan offices. Being a nanny is an unusual vocation in that one is rarely observed in action as it were. If a mother is anxious and a nanny cam provides her with greater security so what ???? Unless the nanny has something to hide there should be no issue here. Further most nurseries have or will have cameras....

[Stella]

All of you are who thinking of using a webcam on your nanny, have a serious issue with your own self esteem and most of all with your trust towards other people and in yourself. A normal human being wouldn't even think of such measurements except those who are so bored of themselves and with their lots of money that they don't know what to do with it but have some fun and have a chat - gossip with all of their other rich friends during their dinner party.
Nannies don't hide anything but working normally from 7am till 7-8 pm, their employer mostly want to put a webcam in the house because they want to be make sure that their nanny doesn't sit down not even for 5 min within that 12-14hrs, not because they're worried about their child/ren.

If you really want to use a webcam and if you want to be a proper employer let that nanny know about it i'm very sure 99% of the nannies would be fine with it. They love children, their occupation is being a nanny and they would carry out their normal duties every day no matter of webcam here or there or everywhere in the house.

[annamike]

We have had nannies for our 2 children in the past 4 years. Some of them were really good and some REALLY BAD. We never put cameras in our house but sometimes I think we should have done it. Good references and gut feeling is not always enough to understand what somebody is doing when you are not around (not only nannies but anybody who works in a house). We had nannies who spent most of the time on the phone with their families and friends instead of doing their work. It takes a few months before realizing it. Cameras would have helped to understand what was going on.
How many nannies do you see in the park who spend their time chatting instead of playing with the kids? Others are really good and work really hard. I think it is a difficult decision. However, any workplace has CCTV everywhere, emails are checked and employers have computers under control. they always know which websites you are browsing and how many times you get out of the office as checked with a badge. It doesn't mean that employers don't trust their employees. Just normal policy in any organized workplace. My employer knows I am using this website during my lunch break and he would never complain as long as I do my job properly. Nannies who complain about cameras maybe are afraid they are not doing what they are paid for. Being a nanny is like any other job. Equal rigths and equal treatment.. I don't see the point in such a big fuss. As an employer you want to make sure your employee is doing the job properly.

[Jtheroux]

Very well written annamike.
Woah Stella you sound so very angry and a little resentful. I so hope you aren't a nanny - if you are, your poor charges......

[dancing_queen59]

Annamike, I completely agree with everything you say. You could hope to trust someone but do you every REALLY know.

Stella, Not sure where the link of rich mothers and nanny cams is but you do sound very bitter.

[janee]

My concern is that, if parents see a nanny as just an ordinary employee, then they are not considering the emotional wellbeing of their child/children. Surely a nanny is not just someone who is canning peas, but is an essential part of a child's development, an extension of the family. If the parents don't trust the nanny, then the relationship is changed and the commitment by the nanny to the child will be damaged.

As for criticising nannies for talking to their friends..... Has anyone watched the parents with their children - did they really want children - clearly many parents do not expect their lives to change when they become parents.

No I am not a nanny and, given some of the contributions above, am glad that I'm not.

[annamike]

Janee, a nanny is somebody who looks after the most precious thing we have, but at the end of the day needs to fulfil all the tasks she/he is required by her employer. Some parents struggle to leave their kids with a nanny as they need to go back to work and give the best care to their children until they go to school. Why should a nanny take advantage of being left alone and not doint the job properly?
Again, I am not in favour of cameras in the house but sometimes I thought it could have helped to understand if we employed the right person.
I don't understand your point on bad parents. You cannot compare what a parent does with his/her children and what a nanny does. When I am at work I am paid to do my job and not talking to my friends over the phone. That's what a nanny should do. A good parents can be with his children all the time and talk to his friends whilst looking after them. Being a full-time parent doesn't leave much time for yourself and you need to find the right balance in your life.
A nanny should do the job. She/he has spare time after work to do that.

[supergirl]

Well said Annamike, i totally agree with your two posts.

I went to the playground on Clapham Common (Battersea rise side) with my two girls on Friday morning. We played on the train, and my eldest loves climbing on the roof and jumping down so I helped her a little. There was another girl who looked bored, and she asked me to help her climb. I told her she needed to ask her mummy or nanny first. She answered "my nanny said she is too busy" and she pointed to a woman. I was gobsmacked, she was speaking to another woman in a language that sounded like spanish...
Oooh I felt so heartbroken for that poor adorable girl. So I helped her climb and jump down for the time we were playing on the train with my girls. Then my eldest and her carried on playing together until we left.

Most of the nannies are excellent and are doing a great job. I am sure nobody has any problem if nannies want to meet they nannies friends as long as you know you are still there to be with the children. Unfortunately, the minority of nannies who dont take their job seriously dont do you any justice.

[susiep23]

I have been working as a nanny and nursery nurse for many years. I personally would not mind a camera in the house if the parents wanted to check on the child, for the parents to SPY on the nanny i would ask why would you leave you're children with someone you do not trust??? It would probably be the same at nursery?? you would feel the same insecurities. I do empethise with parents ofcourse you're children are precious but all good nannies understand this go to great means to build bonds of trust with you and you're children.. its a shame you view it not a requirement to treat you're nannies with the same loyalty and repsect . I do ofcourse understand you get good nannies and not so good nannies.

I feel sad about this issue because many posts are just veiwing nannies as just "another member of staff" in a household that may already have many extra pairs of hands when in reality we are helping you to raise you're children. Most nannies would much rather be viewed as part of the family once they have settled in and got to know the family and children as i feel with my family so this is why with most nannies this issue hits a real nerve and not because there is something to hide as some of you may feel. It makes me quite cross

In response to the person who said it is not illegal to have cameras in the house you are wrong. It may be allowed with consent but if you are saying it is legal to spy on people without their permission you are mistaken..... so for those of you considering nanny cams if you do not tell ur nanny's you are liable to be taken to court.

[Happymama]

I would have to agree with the previous post. I do not consider my nanny as "staff". Maybe sometimes I should, but she does such an important job in my household and after 4 years with us she is part of the family.

I have to admit that the first 6 months she was with us, I did ask some of my friends locally to check out how she was interacting with my kids at playgroups and at the playground. And even now when someone tells me they saw my nanny with my children in the park I immediately ask them if they looked happy. But I could never have installed a Nanny Cam ... I could not think of a worst way to start a "working relationship" with the person you are leaving your kids with. Sorry for the horrendous cliché - but trust and communication with your nanny are essential !!

[Ebonyfun]

Im not disgusted with the issue of a nannycam but the statement "spying on your nanny" that's so negative!

This is true that cctv is in most work places and nurseries (it's just the way of life these days). If I went for a nanny post and was informed that the family had cctv I would be a little disappointed but would still take the position as Im confident that I do a good job and have nothing to hide.
However I would like to think that when I ring the door bell in the morning and the children run to the door shouting my name or when I leave and they run to kiss and hug me goodbye, that this would be enough reassurance to the parents that im doing the job that im suppose to be doing.

Although im being paid I would rather be seen as a family friend rather than a member of staff, as I try to give love to those children as if they were members of my own family.