Alright, nannies—let’s talk about it. Nanny cams are here to stay. But wait! That’s not necessarily a bad thing.
Why? First, think about it this way: many jobs rely on cameras to monitor their surroundings and their employees. Retail stores, hospitals, schools, office buildings—they’ve all got cameras. More often than not, it’s not personal. It’s business. And despite being in someone’s home and quite possibly feeling like family, the childcare industry is just that: business.
Parents want to be able to check in on their children when they’re not around. And truly, can you blame them? It’s hard being away from their children, and they likely just want to see how they’re doing, how they’re spending their time, and—let’s be honest—if they’re behaving.
If the topic of a nanny camera did not come up during your interview or through the hiring process, it’s okay to ask about it. Or, if you’d rather not broach the topic, a great rule of thumb is to perform your job as if there is a parent present. That way, in case there is a camera present, you have nothing to worry about because you’re being the seasoned pro we know you to be.
Think of Cameras as the Norm (Which, They Are!)
Almost all the families we work with use cameras. And remember—just because you don’t see them, doesn’t mean they’re not there. It might feel awkward at first, but if this is a career you plan on pursuing, you’ve simply got to normalize them as a part of the job. This is the standard nowadays. Plus, if you’re doing your job to the best of your ability, the parents will see it! This is great for building trust, rapport, and a favorable 6-month or annual review.
If the parents you’re working for are upfront about the presence of cameras, all the more reason to make like Elsa and let go of any negative feelings you have about cameras.
Just Be Yourself
You’re good at what you do. We know it, you know it, and the family that hired you knows it, too! If you’re keeping up with the daily routine and tasks that are expected of you while providing the exceptional care we know you’re capable of, then having a camera present simply accentuates this. You’re giving the family the best performance they could ask for when it comes to the person they trust and hired to take care of their kids. Just go on there and do what you do best.
Be proud to showcase your awesome childcare skills! Remember, you were hired for a reason. What better way to show the parents they made the right choice then having them see it firsthand?