Nanny Cam Post Reply

[tilly]

i am amazed by some of the unfounded comments being written about parents and nannies here. what ultimately matters is that the child is safe and well cared for. of course, in an ideal world, every parent wants the perfect nanny and a camera can never be a substitute for finding someone you trust. BUT, it is naive to think that it never goes wrong and even when you trust someone, things can change and it is not always black and white, it might just be a creeping suspicion that things are not quite right.

As a parent who had a bad experience with a previous nanny, i am eternally grateful to a whistleblower who reported bad treatment of my child. before that, we had a few suspicions (not bad treatment or we would have acted immediately, but not doing specific things we asked) . my husband half joked he should leave his iphone on a recording app but i insisted we should give her the benefit of the doubt and trust her. as a guilty working mum, i kept telling myself i was just being paranoid and that i had to accept that noone was ever going to be me. how wrong was I... if we had used a webcam, maybe a few home truths would have come out even earlier.

if a web cam gives parents a bit more peace of mind, then what's the harm and what is there to hide?

[Jtheroux]

susiep23 sorry but you are simply factually incorrect. Anyone can install a camera in their home and not inform occupants. The exceptions are where individuials might have a " reasonable expectation of privacy " ie bedrooms or bathrooms.

[staceange]

I think there are 2 things to think about to settle this PATHETIC debate:

1 - why would you leave your kids with someone you don't trust!

2 - If you are THAT insecure about having a nanny send them to Nursery or be a stay at home mother !

P.S Im also getting a bit fed up with Nappy Valley sending such negative coments about Nannys. If you mothers have nothing better to do, but bring down the people who look after, love and cherish your children you should really think about doing the above.

Thanks

[Jtheroux]

Every time I see a response like this from someone I assume is a nanny I thank my lucky stars I decided to resign when I realised my nanny was treating my son badly - good nannies really are like gold dust. Resentful, rude and frankly intimidating nannies seem plentiful.

[susiep23]

oh the negativity . Im frankly bored of this debate now.

Theroux good nannies are out there and more than u think.Im sorry for you're bad experience. I and many of my friends have been nannies for years all with varying roles, years of experience but all equally as dedicated to our jobs.

Overworked, underpaid less qualified/experienced nannies who have probably been thrown in at the deep end who u are refferring to "rude,intimidating" (you're words) are one kind of nanny/carer and some i would'nt nessasarily say a "nanny" even as u can be called a nanny on you're first ever job/or first ever experience with children and families hense they may not have the best people skills or child knowledge. This is what people have to remember so if u want kind and caring ,know what they are doing with an interest for childcare dont hire someone with no exp with children as a sole charge or someone that dosnt seem capable for what u would like.

"we" experienced, qualiflied and decent nannies who enjoy our jobs (8 years experience, qualified) are also plentiful i just have to write this post to stick up for good nannies and then im done because silly people are getting on my nerves assuming all nannies "need whatching"

If u want a good nanny or have specific requirements i.e 5 years exp,highly qualified in ealry years or excellent baby knowledge,twin exp etc ect go through an agency is best or do you're homework well. Check references, ring past employers have a few meet ups together with the children before she starts work anything to put you're mind at rest but if u dont trust them enough or dont get a good impression enough by the end of this or a "trial period" i dont think a nanny, childminder, au pair is for u, maybe a mothers help so u can guide and be in charge.

Theroux its a shame u had a bad experience with ur last nanny, but there are lots of good nannies out there.

There are many great agencies with more of a home from home feel that are run by past nannies who are now mums themselves and know both sides of the coin... I would advise any mums returning to work looking for a nanny but nervous about making the move to seek advice & guidance from them to put you're mind at rest and not be put off by a few negative experiences of others

[Ebonyfun]

Ohhh bless you for that last post.

Parents please don't allow 1 bad nanny spoil the bunch.

I have a nanny group of about 6. We are all "Great nannies" I attend playgroups and playgrounds and to be very honest only come arcoss 1 "bad nanny" in every 100 (just like most work places). Most of us love our jobs, loves the families, and do a great job.

I agree with the post above re guidelines for finding an apprpriate nanny (minus the agancy bit, My family found me on here). I also agree that is web site allows Mums to talk rather negatively about nannies. I do understand that this is a chat room and supports free speech but cooooome on!, Give us a break.
It would be so refreshing to see a Mum start a discussion, bragging about how lovely their nanny/childminder/au pair is for once. x

[Stella]

susiep23 and ebonyfun, you two are FAB!!!! Very good comments. Jtheroux i think you're just a sad mum seeing your comments. BE HAPPY!!! Life is too short! Mainly now you should be very happy as you've resigned and can be with your son at home. You'll never ever trust a nanny every again, doesn't matter how many replies you'll read or reply back to them. You were almost right, i used to be a nanny. (glowing references - for 11yrs, excellent employers!!!!!) Now i can see both parties' side very clear.

I'm very sure nannies would agree to start a topic about the parents as well. How badly SOME of them can treat their nanny, how badly they can talk to them, how many other duties they give to the nanny what is NOT childcare related, how many parents don't even care about their child's day - they don't even bother to ask how the day went by - when they come home etc, etc, etc...........
I hope in these accosions as well the camera will roll as well.........

As i said earlier, tell the nanny, that you'll use a camera, i'm sure they'll be 100% fine about it. Nurseries, work places with webcam, let the employees know about it, so you're working in sence of knowing that you're on camera.

[mummynanny]

What is going on? This post and the post "Do you know who your nanny is" are bringing up unnecessary "war" between mummies and nannies. It is very sad.
I've been a nanny for almost 10 years and now I am also mummy to a wonderful little girl. I take her to work with me so she can have fun with other children who are almost like her siblings. I always loved (and love) all of my kiddies charges but the love you feel towards your own child - you simply cannot describe it - you must experience it. Both me and my boss mummy cry of happiness when ever we see our babies reaching a new milestone...
I am very lucky to be able to have my little one with me - I honestly don't know how other mummies (and daddies) do it when they are deciding who to leave their children with - but I admire them that they are able to do it. I understand that some of them would love to see their babies to play while they are at work... (Although if they would be able to watch their kiddies they would probably not get much work done)
I think what most mummies meant when they were talking about nanny camera was watching their children being happy and content not having it to spy on nannies.
Communication is a key to a good relationship between the two parties - there isn't much time in the morning before work or after... so once in couple of months would be a great idea to catch up with your nanny without the kids around.
Having a camera in the house to keep your mind at peace - in my opinion - would be ok as far as you tell your nanny. In most workplaces the cameras are visible and not hidden (if I'm right - not totally sure)
However if you are suspicious of your nanny not doing her job properly - talk to her about it. Children are always behaving very differently when the parents are around - so invite grandparents/aunties/friends over to "inspect" the situation.
We are all different individuals and unfortunately there are some bad people around us... But we have so called "gut feeling" or maternal instinct that we have to trust - it's way better than nanny cam - Just imagine having it to watch hours of recording after a hard day at work...

[kiwimummy]

Could we please draw a line under this thread? I think we've canvassed lots of views, and it's time to move on. I intend no disrespect to any of views set out above, I just think it's now been fully discussed.

[Baboushka]

I think an important and essential point that is being missed is that trust is not something that is just taken on face value or demanded i.e. A reference or qualifications or indeed first impressions or gut instinct alone. It is something that is earnt over time, from getting to know someone, seeing them in action, having shared experiences and seeing how they behave in different situations. It is also a personal connection and a nanny that may have been experienced as trustworthy and great by one family may not fit with the family system in another.

If a parent does not have the time to spend the first few weeks with the nanny, shadowing and experiencing how they are with their child, then I can understand that a camera would give the parent the opportunity to see how the nanny and child interact when they are alone, without parents and this would then give the parent a greater degree of trust in the nanny. If consent is asked of the nanny and it is explained that the parent wants to see how they get on alone I cannot see how any nanny would object to this.

I think maybe greater openness and communication is good on both sides. For the nanny to be open to having a camera actually provides safety for the nanny and the parent/child if anything were to go wrong.

I think the message is to enter the relationship on both sides with a willingness to trust and to be open. It is fine to ask the questions, observe the footage for a limited time or when required, observe the nanny and then a decision to trust or not then needs to be taken. But this is a process, trust is a process not an instant requirement. Humility on the part of the nanny towards new parents that do not know you and need time to trust you and openness and honest communication on the part of the parent, seems like a receipe for a working relationship to me.

[MGMidget]

Well said Baboushka. Just what I was thinking. A huge amount of trust is placed in nannies to look after children who are often too young to talk and hence very vulnerable. There are not many jobs that allow such a degree of autonomy and have no supervision. Plenty of people with responsible jobs and a long career history, good references etc, would take it for granted that their employer would monitor them in the job.

A good nanny shouldn't need to be worried about forms of monitoring whether it is nannycam or other means (e.g. getting information from friends or neighbours who see the nanny out and about with their children). Indeed a nannycam could give a reliable and fair picture whereas second hand information from friends/neighbours, information directly from the children or suspicions that parents have may not always be reliable. I haven't used a nannycam myself as I didn't feel I needed it as I frequently work from home. However, when both parents are out of the house all day I can see why some people might want to consider it.

[mummynanny100]

I am shocked at some of the comments on this page. All that is important is child safety.

I have a pretty worrying story, I am a nanny and have been for over 20 years, I am also a mother, I realised during my work that I was coming accross some very bad nannies, now what parents may class as a bad nanny can be different.

I found I worked with very high standards and soon became aware that over half of the nannies in the wealthy area I was working in were not good at all. When I eventually had my own child I became so protective of anyone being left with her that I decided I was only returning to work if I could take her with me, to this day I mix socially with a limited number of nannies as I have witnessed things I do not like.

I started up my own childcare business as I was concerned about the standards of childcare around, at first I decided to start up a nanny agency as I felt I may be able to have some say in the standard of childcare that was out their, but when I looked into what is involved in running an agency I stopped.

Basically anyone can open a nanny agency, their are no regulations at all, in fact the agency you go to could be owned by a dodgy person. As long as an individual has the money to put into a flash website, fancy advertising and maybe the rent of a building thats it, what is it they say, money talks.

I found their are specific places to go to regarding being advertised as an agency, but from what I found to have these logo's places on your agency web site or to be included in guides, all you do is either pay a fee to the company or have placed at least 3 nannies in 6 months, no checks are made though on the agencies themselves.

All a nanny agency is, is a database of names and address's, now another worrying side is, non of the parents are visited either, so technically these agencies are sending young girls out to total strangers with no evidance of who they are, even a family may not be who they say.

All a nanny agency does is interview an individual, ask them to bring an up to date CV, CRB, First Aid and optional is Ofsted certification, they look and photo copy a passport, driving licence, keep 2 passport photos and ask to see two house hold bills, they then call 2 references; something any parent could do, but agencies do have the interest in getting a fee of up to £1000 from a parent so they are very eager to place a nanny with a family.

More and more parents are using external avenues of finding nannies, not only because it gives them piece of mind that they are doing the job themselves but also the fees involved with agencies.

I came across many nannies I would not leave my child with, it was only when I witnessed a nanny controlling a child in a way I felt was totally unexceptable that I have investigated this. I contacted a nanny agency recognised as one of the best, they advised that their is nothing they can do and that their is no avenue to call to whistle blow, so I felt what can I do.

I did not want to be associated with agencies who had these nannies on their registers so to begin with I started up my own business. I put myself threw all the security inspections such as Ofsted, first aid and this is the best thing, I registered as a childminder and did the training so that I was covered that way, I have actually had a personal home visit by Ofsted, I even have a portfolio of policies, permissions and all documention requested for use as a childminder including food hygiene. I work as a nanny/home carer in the parents home but am totally cleared.

My advise is, go on your first impression, ask the nanny questions about how she works, watch her first impression with your child on an interview, a nany must love children and it must be a vocation as well as a job. Please realise nurseries are a similer scare, young inexperienced low paid staff are employed in them, some are unhappy as the pay is so low, I spent two weeks in one to self settle my daughter and had a bad expeience with another as she was so unhappy, eventually my child did not start untill I found a good pre school at age 3 when she could talk !!!!!!!!!!!!!!