You should never have a nanny cam without telling the nanny. Most nannies, especially good ones, don’t mind at all! They know it can protect them from false accusations, and that it is there to protect the children! They understand this! But installing cams secretly (unless you have had your nanny for a bit and suspect a problem) fosters a relationship based on distrust. The nanny will eventually discover the cams, or have reason to believe you have them (trust me when I say that you will eventually mention something that happened when you were not there and the nanny knows she has not mentioned to you)! This will make her feel as though you don’t trust her, and you may lose a good nanny because of it. Whereas if you had told her about them upfront, she probably wouldn’t have cared!
The most popular places to place nanny cams are in the rooms the nanny and baby will be in the most. In the nursery, a cam over the bed and over the changing table is popular place. One in the kitchen and family room are also good spots. Cameras directed at the entry doors are also good choices. If you install the cam yourself, try to get as broad a view of the room as possible.
If you hire a company or individual to install the nanny cams, you need to be sure you are dealing with a reputable person. The only way to do this is by doing a background check. While a full investigative background search is not needed, you do need to check the sex offender registry both on the owner and (especially) the installer. Also check the company name with the Better Business Bureau in your state. If it is a multi state operation (unlikely, but possible) or near state borders, check the BBB in each state they do business in!
Nanny cams come with a wide array of features, and as such can vary widely in cost. You can buy a simple black and white nanny cam for $100 or less. You can also purchase secret hidden digital nanny cams that can cost upward of $500 each! These cameras can be hidden in wall clocks, disguised as a piece of home theater equipment, or in a light fixture…with technology advances you can literally hide a cam almost anywhere! Beware of those – those high tech super secret nanny cams come at a premium price most of the time!