In most circumstances, you won't ever have to worry about your child when they're under the care of a babysitter. Most babysitters, nannies and childcare professionals are passionate and dedicated to their work, and your little one will thrive under their care. However, leaving your child with someone you dont know very well is always a scary experience. If it's the first time you're heading out to work or for a well-deserved night out and leaving the kids with a babysitter you've not used before, it's only natural to be worried about their safety and well-being. You're a parent, so you'll always feel protective and concerned about your children.
Nanny Cams - how they can help to protect your little ones
This is why many parents use surveillance cameras ( nanny cams) to monitor their children while away from home. The primary reason for using them is peace of mind. You dont need to trawl through the footage every night, although it's normal to do this until your fears are allayed. Knowing the camera is there can make you feel better about trusting your babysitter, as you're watching things when you're not home.
A surveillance camera is there, just in case you need it. It can make you feel much better about going out and trusting your babysitter with the care of your children, but it can also be invaluable if something goes wrong. For example, your child is behaving a little strangely, or perhaps they have a bump or a graze, and you're worried about it. There will be nothing to worry about in most cases, but a quick look through the footage for the last few days will clear everything up. If your babysitter is not living up to your high standards, you can have a talk with them or perhaps find a replacement. You may discover that the babysitter is engaging in behaviour you disapprove of around your children, such as:
- Smoking even if they do it out of a door or window, the smoke can still affect the health of your child.
- Drinking alcohol or taking drugs.
- Ignoring your requests , for example, not discouraging bad behaviour or letting your child have too many unhealthy foods.
- Having partners or friends over to the house when you're not there.
- Not being watchful enough of your children leads to accidents or distress for the child.
If the worst should happen and you uncover instances of neglect or abuse, you can stop it in its tracks. The babysitter can be reported to the police, and your child (and other children the babysitter may look after) will be kept safe. Please remember that this kind of situation is very rare and that most babysitters are caring and dedicated it's important not to become paranoid!
The ethics of using Nanny Cams
One of the first questions you're likely to have when considering nanny cams is, wont my babysitter mind being filmed? Is it ethical to film them in secret? The answer to these questions is all dependent on your approach to using surveillance cameras. Many parents find being upfront and honest with the babysitter is far better. Explain that you are very protective of your children and only want to keep an eye on them. You aren't trying to invade anyones privacy its just a condition of taking on the job. If you explain clearly how you will use cameras and their footage, the babysitter can decide whether he or she can work with these conditions. If they agree, theres nothing to worry about.
If they decide the job isn't for them, you can find someone else who is comfortable with it. Knowing that cameras are in use can also deter any negative behaviour from your babysitter. They can act as an incentive to improve the quality of care, which is great news for everyone. If you choose to use cameras but dont tell the babysitter about them, this is up to you. However, you will be running the risk of your babysitter finding out and feeling that you dont trust them or that you're invading their privacy or inappropriately monitoring them. This can lead to upset and potentially the babysitter quitting, which is disruptive and distressing for everyone. You could even face legal action, even if you havent broken the law. Most parents would prefer not to run these risks, and it's much easier to come clean at the start.
Its your home, but your babysitter has a right to privacy
As for the legal implications of using surveillance cameras in your home, there are a few simple but essential rules to follow. It may be your home, and you have the right to film there, but your babysitter also has a right to privacy in his or her place of work. This means you cant use cameras anywhere the babysitter has a reasonable right to privacy, such as in bathrooms or changing rooms. If you have a live-in nanny, you cant put cameras in his or her bedroom.
You must also be very careful with the footage your cameras record. You need to ensure that it's kept safe, secure and for your use only for the specific purpose of monitoring the safety and well-being of your child under the care of a babysitter. You must not sell or give away the footage to any third party or share it online. All of these things could represent breaches of your babysitters privacy as well as data protection laws.
For advice on the right surveillance cameras to use to monitor babysitting at your home, get in touch with the experts at Online Spy Shop.