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NFT: Nanny Cam Suggestions

TEPLimey : 8/22/2016 2:39 pm
So my wife is headed back to work after Columbus Day and we will have a nanny watching the our 2 month old and our 3 year old (when he's not in pre-k). We wanted to set up an overt camera system in the house with real-time monitoring on our phones or work computers. We figured that the piece of mind (plus the extra encouragement for the nanny to be attentive) was worth the price of admission.

We don't need it to cover every square inch of the house (we aren't concerned that the nanny will purposefully sneak into a dark area to engage in malfeasance) but one camera in each of the main rooms would be in line with our thinking.

Has anyone set up a system like this in their homes? Any recommendations?
I couldn't imagine hiring anyone  
UConn4523 : 8/22/2016 2:41 pm : link
to watch my children where I would need the installment of a nanny cam. If I had any doubts about their ability i'd find someone else.

There's tons of cameras that will do what you want, they all hook up to wifi now and many can record.
I don't have a recommendation for a camera system.  
Beezer : 8/22/2016 2:41 pm : link
Just an observation that if you feel the need to have this sort of thing, your choice of nanny may not be so terrific.
Foscam  
ImThatGuy : 8/22/2016 2:43 pm : link
Just get a wireless camera(s) and put them right into your network. I've had about 4 or 5 foscams setup with pretty good success (look them up on Amazon). Pretty simple to setup and takes a bit of configuration if you want to view from outside your network but nothing drastic. If you want to record and watch later you will need to run additional software on a PC on the network, but there are plenty of options out there
If you honestly feel the need  
steve in ky : 8/22/2016 2:47 pm : link
Wouldn't having and telling them that you have a security system monitoring every room serve a better purpose? I'm a parent and I would much rather prevent something from happening to my child than catching someone doing something to them.

You could tell them under the guise that you have it for security and they should "feel" safe in you home.
Ignore what others say  
ImThatGuy : 8/22/2016 2:47 pm : link
About whether or not to install cameras. Bottom line is that it isn't you watching your kids it's a third party or family member. Everybody has different levels for what they can tolerate and what they feel they need to do. Trust can take years to build up.

100% put up nanny cams if you want ignore the rest
Yeah! Ignore everyone!  
Beezer : 8/22/2016 2:50 pm : link
:)
As I said  
TEPLimey : 8/22/2016 2:58 pm : link
we are looking for an overt (as opposed to covert) system - in other words, we plan to tell the nanny they are there.

Realistically, we have to leave the kids with someone since we both work. Given that fact, my wife said she'd be happier to have the ability to check in on them on her phone once in a while during the day.

I didn't really think installing wireless security cameras with real-time monitoring was conversational, but I guess anything is on BBI
you are definitely being that guy  
UConn4523 : 8/22/2016 2:58 pm : link
he's more than welcome to ignore everything. But before investing money and your sanity into this whole thing, it can be avoidable. Cameras in day care, elementary school next?
For a nanny, get a pov angle  
ATL_Giants : 8/22/2016 2:59 pm : link
I guess it's not uncommon  
AP in Halfmoon : 8/22/2016 3:03 pm : link
But I couldn't imagine being on camera all day
UConn  
ImThatGuy : 8/22/2016 3:04 pm : link
You seem like a decent dude so take this with a grain of salt, but, get off your horse. The guy asked for a brand of cameras, not your opinion on whether or not he should get them. And yes I know of several day cares with cameras setup.

It can be 'avoidable' for some people (and I'm glad you fit in that category). Personally the only people I trust are me and my wife, this guy feels the same way so let him get his cameras.
RE: you are definitely being that guy  
TEPLimey : 8/22/2016 3:05 pm : link
In comment 13081712 UConn4523 said:
Quote:
he's more than welcome to ignore everything. But before investing money and your sanity into this whole thing, it can be avoidable. Cameras in day care, elementary school next?

Cameras in daycare/school are a little different because you always have either multiple teachers in a room or windows where administrators are checking in once in a while, or both. In your house, you are basically putting the welfare of your child in the hands of a single person with little to no oversight. However much you trust that person, it can make you feel better knowing you have the option to check in once in a while.
BBI  
ron mexico : 8/22/2016 3:07 pm : link
the home of advice people didn't ask for
My brother in law  
spike : 8/22/2016 3:09 pm : link
caught the former nanny being rough with my niece several years ago and she was promptly fired.

My other sister is on her 5th or 6th nanny already for her 5 and 2 year olds.


It's hard to find good and reliable help.
This brings up a question  
Bubba : 8/22/2016 3:12 pm : link
If you have a monitoring system in your home do you have to advise the "employee" they are being monitored? Not sure of the legalities.
RE: This brings up a question  
steve in ky : 8/22/2016 3:14 pm : link
In comment 13081739 Bubba said:
Quote:
If you have a monitoring system in your home do you have to advise the "employee" they are being monitored? Not sure of the legalities.


I don't know the answer but I believe I have read video recording is OK but sound recording without permission may be an issue in some states.

There are many choices here  
SwirlingEddie : 8/22/2016 3:34 pm : link
When evaluating the tech options, some things to think about:

1) Do you want a service with monthly fees and cloud storage, or your own server? Do you want anyone else to have access to these images?

2) Do you need/want wireless cameras and are you comfortable installing them yourself? Most vendors offer wireless options now. Make sure your network is secure, your signal strong and check on battery life.

3) What sort of functionality do you want? Do you want motion-detection, continuous scan, low-light/night-vision?

Just some thoughts. Good luck and good luck with parenthood!
RE: UConn  
UConn4523 : 8/22/2016 3:39 pm : link
In comment 13081724 ImThatGuy said:
Quote:
You seem like a decent dude so take this with a grain of salt, but, get off your horse. The guy asked for a brand of cameras, not your opinion on whether or not he should get them. And yes I know of several day cares with cameras setup.

It can be 'avoidable' for some people (and I'm glad you fit in that category). Personally the only people I trust are me and my wife, this guy feels the same way so let him get his cameras.


I'm hardly on a highhorse, you disagree and that's fine. I also answered his original question. Tons of options, just look at reviews on amazon, virtually everything is wireless and most have apps.
Nest now has  
UConn4523 : 8/22/2016 3:41 pm : link
cameras and a whole suite of features in addition to heating/cooling.
RE: There are many choices here  
TEPLimey : 8/22/2016 3:59 pm : link
In comment 13081787 SwirlingEddie said:
Quote:
When evaluating the tech options, some things to think about:

1) Do you want a service with monthly fees and cloud storage, or your own server? Do you want anyone else to have access to these images?

2) Do you need/want wireless cameras and are you comfortable installing them yourself? Most vendors offer wireless options now. Make sure your network is secure, your signal strong and check on battery life.

3) What sort of functionality do you want? Do you want motion-detection, continuous scan, low-light/night-vision?

Just some thoughts. Good luck and good luck with parenthood!


1) I don't think we have a compelling need to store a ton of the videos. Absent some compelling reason, I just don't foresee us watching much video after-the-fact. I would be willing to pay a monthly fee, however, as we do not have our own server.

2) Full wireless would be great so we can really just drop the cameras around the house and then set them up to interact with the wifi. I don't mind having a base unit like Arlo or Blink have hard-wired, but it would be big not to have any AC plug requirements for the cameras themselves for aesthetics and convenience.

3) Motion detection would be good - and I understand its a necessity for almost all battery powered units. We don't really need low-light or night vision because we will only have the nanny there during the day and our house has a ood number of windows in every room.

So far, I'm leaning towards Blink, but certainly am not wedded to it. Thanks in advance for your help
What's the nanny look like?  
B in ALB : 8/22/2016 4:34 pm : link
Once I have this information I'll be able to recommend a set up.
I have (2) Amcrest 1080p  
J : 8/22/2016 4:53 pm : link
I believe the model number is 841. Amcrest is owned by Foscam ... comes w/ wide angle lens, 1080p, two-way sound

pretty good overall... when I was reading the reviews I read complaints about the app and the desktop software they provide. Some were valid, some weren't. If you are technically apt you shouldn't have any issues with setup and use.

oh, and I need to disclose I only paid $25 for both of them. I used amzreviewtrader.com ... doesn't look like there's any listed right now, but there are a few others of brands I don't recognize
My wife and I have had great experiences ...  
Boy Cord : 8/22/2016 11:03 pm : link
... with au pairs. We feel perfectly comfortable leaving them alone with our kids. Although, I wouldn't mind getting some of them on video, iykwim.
RE: My wife and I have had great experiences ...  
BlueLou : 8/23/2016 4:28 am : link
In comment 13082338 Boy Cord said:
Quote:
... with au pairs. We feel perfectly comfortable leaving them alone with our kids. Although, I wouldn't mind getting some of them on video, iykwim.


In the shower, yes?

I think you need to weigh the risk of needing the system to monitor your kids and nanny, vs the chance that a really good nanny with a fine documented work history will turn YOU down based on not wanting to work for obsessive psycho parents.

My wild guess is that there are more psycho parents than awful nannies. Care givers generally are folks drawn to the work who truly enjoy being with children... Couples have kids for all sorts of reasons, and loving and enjoying the company of the little ones is not always high on the list.
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