Nanny Cameras: Should You Use One? Legal and Practical Guide

Should you have cameras watching your nanny? It's a question many parents wrestle with—balancing peace of mind with trust, privacy, and the reality of welcoming someone into your home to care for your child.

Here's what you need to know about nanny cameras.

The Current Landscape

How Common Are Nanny Cams?

| Situation | Estimated Usage | |-----------|----------------| | New nanny (first 3 months) | 40-50% of families | | Established nanny relationship | 20-30% of families | | Any home security cameras | 60%+ of families |

Many families have cameras for general home security that happen to capture childcare—even if they weren't installed specifically as "nanny cams."

Legal Requirements: What You Must Know

Video Recording

Generally legal in your own home:

You can record video in common areas
No expectation of privacy in living rooms, kitchens, play areas

Not legal:

Recording in bathrooms
Recording in nanny's bedroom (if live-in)
Recording in any space with a reasonable expectation of privacy

Audio Recording

This is where it gets complicated.

| State Type | Audio Recording Rules | |------------|----------------------| | One-party consent states | Legal if YOU consent (you're the homeowner) | | Two-party/All-party consent states | Must inform nanny BEFORE recording |

Two-party consent states include: California, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Vermont, Washington

If you're in a two-party consent state: You MUST tell your nanny about audio recording, or you're breaking the law.

Disclosure: Should You Tell Them?

Legal perspective:

Video (no audio) in common areas: Disclosure often not legally required
Audio recording in two-party consent states: Disclosure IS required
Recording in private spaces: Not legal regardless

Practical perspective:

Disclosure is almost always the better choice
Hidden cameras discovered = destroyed trust
Professional nannies expect cameras

Should You Use a Nanny Cam?

Arguments For

Peace of mind:

Know your child is safe
Check in during the day
Verify what's happening when you're not there

Accountability:

Confirm daily routines are followed
Address issues with evidence
Protect against false claims

Safety:

Document any concerning behavior
Evidence in case of emergency
Monitor for accidents

Arguments Against

Erodes trust:

Signals you don't trust your caregiver
May make nanny uncomfortable
Can damage relationship

Doesn't capture everything:

Cameras miss context
Easy to misinterpret moments
Creates anxiety in parents who watch constantly

May deter good candidates:

Some excellent nannies won't work with surveillance
Signals employer may be difficult

Can become obsessive:

Watching footage all day isn't healthy
Creates anxiety rather than reducing it
Temptation to micromanage

How Professional Nannies View Cameras

Survey Results (Industry Data)

| Nanny Response | Percentage | |----------------|------------| | "I'm fine with disclosed cameras" | 60-70% | | "I prefer no cameras but will work with them" | 15-20% | | "I won't work in a home with cameras" | 10-15% | | "I'm fine with hidden cameras" | Less than 5% |

What Nannies Say

"Fine with cameras":

"If I'm doing my job well, cameras don't bother me. I have nothing to hide."

"Uncomfortable with cameras":

"It feels like I'm not trusted. It changes how I interact with the child—I'm always wondering if I'm being watched."

"Depends on the family":

"I'm okay with cameras if the parents use them reasonably. If they're watching constantly and critiquing every little thing, that's not for me."

How to Handle Disclosure

If You're Going to Use Cameras, Tell Them

During hiring:

"We have security cameras in our home that cover the main living areas and playroom. They're for general home security and peace of mind. Is that something you're comfortable with?"

If adding cameras after hiring:

"We've decided to add some security cameras in the house. I wanted to let you know before we install them. They'll be in the living room and kitchen. I hope you understand—it's about general home security."

What to Avoid

Don't:

Hide cameras and hope they're never discovered
Apologize excessively (you have the right to cameras in your home)
Imply you don't trust them specifically
Install cameras after an incident without explanation

Do:

Be matter-of-fact
Frame it as standard home security
Give them the chance to ask questions
Respect their decision if they're not comfortable

Setting Up Nanny Cameras Thoughtfully

Recommended Locations

| Location | Purpose | Privacy Level | |----------|---------|--------------| | Living room / play area | See most of the day | Reasonable | | Kitchen | Meal times, safety | Reasonable | | Nursery / child's bedroom | Naps, nighttime (if applicable) | Reasonable | | Backyard | Outdoor play | Reasonable | | Entryway | Arrivals/departures | Reasonable |

Locations to Avoid

Bathrooms (illegal)
Nanny's private bedroom (if live-in)
Areas where nanny changes clothes
Inside closets or other enclosed spaces

Technical Considerations

Camera types:

| Type | Pros | Cons | |------|------|------| | Visible security cameras | Clear you have them, deters bad behavior | May make nanny self-conscious | | Nanny cam (hidden in object) | Less obtrusive | May feel sneaky, disclosure still recommended | | Smart home cameras (Nest, Ring) | Easy setup, app access | Subscription fees, privacy considerations | | Baby monitors with video | Natural for nursery | Limited range/quality |

Features to look for:

Cloud storage (access footage later)
Two-way audio (optional)
Motion alerts
Night vision
Wide angle

Healthy Camera Use

How to Use Cameras Without Going Crazy

Do:

Check in briefly (a few times a day max)
Review if there's a specific concern
Use for peace of mind, not constant surveillance
Trust what you see over time, not isolated moments

Don't:

Watch all day while at work
Critique every small thing you see
Call/text nanny about minor issues you saw on camera
Discuss footage with friends/family as entertainment

When to Review Footage

Appropriate reasons:

Child seems upset or mentions something concerning
Nanny reports an incident
Specific concern about safety or routine
Injury you want to understand

Not great reasons:

Curiosity about every moment
Looking for things to criticize
General distrust (address that separately)

What If You See Something Concerning?

Levels of Concern

| What You See | Severity | Response | |--------------|----------|----------| | Minor deviation from routine | Low | Mention casually, if at all | | Ignoring child for extended period | Medium | Have a conversation | | Unsafe practice (car seat, supervision) | High | Immediate conversation, possible termination | | Any form of abuse or neglect | Critical | Immediate termination, possible authorities | | Something ambiguous | Varies | Don't assume—ask for context |

How to Address Issues

For minor concerns:

"I noticed [specific observation]. Can you help me understand what was happening?"

For serious concerns:

"I saw [specific incident] on our home camera, and I'm very concerned. [Describe what you saw.] I need to understand what happened."

Context Matters

What looks bad on camera might not be:

Child crying while nanny prepares food (sometimes kids just cry)
Nanny on phone briefly (could be scheduling, not neglect)
Child watching TV (maybe a rough day)
Nanny sitting while child plays (appropriate supervision)

Before reacting: Ask yourself if there could be an innocent explanation.

Alternatives to Cameras

Building Trust Other Ways

| Approach | How It Works | |----------|-------------| | Regular check-ins | Scheduled calls or texts during the day | | Daily logs | Nanny provides written summary | | Pop-in visits | Occasionally come home during the day | | Strong references | Thorough vetting before hiring | | Trial period | Intensive early monitoring, then trust |

If You're Uneasy

If you feel you need to watch constantly:

Is this the right nanny for you?
Is this about the nanny or your own anxiety?
Would talking to a therapist help?
Are cameras solving the problem or masking it?

FAQ

Q: Is it legal to have hidden cameras without telling my nanny?

A: For video only in common areas, it's generally legal in most states. For audio, it depends on your state—two-party consent states require disclosure. But legal doesn't mean advisable. Disclosure is almost always the better choice.

Q: Will good nannies refuse to work if I have cameras?

A: Most professional nannies are fine with disclosed cameras. A small percentage prefer not to work with surveillance. Be upfront during hiring so you attract compatible candidates.

Q: How often should I check the cameras?

A: A few brief check-ins per day is reasonable. Watching constantly is unhealthy for you and undermines the trust relationship.

Q: What if my nanny asks me to remove the cameras?

A: You have the right to have cameras in your home. If they're uncomfortable, you can discuss compromises (limited monitoring, no audio) or acknowledge it may not be the right fit.

Q: Should I tell my nanny I reviewed footage?

A: For routine check-ins, no need to mention it. If you're discussing something specific you saw, be honest that you saw it on camera.

Related guides: