Webcams at daycare
Every now and then, the topic of webcams at daycare (why do all working parents have to be “guilt-wracked”? I hate that), or, “nanny cams” at home comes up in the media.
It’s touted as a way for working parents to keep up with a child’s milestones, and, some even say it is a safety measure.
Hmm.
It might be a fun activity for kids, kind of like a teleconference, but, I find a lot of problems with it being used on a daily basis to monitor care.
For starters, not every parent works near a computer, or, a computer capable of video. Even if they did, the daycare cam might not be approved Internet use.
Secondly, if one uses the “seeing developmental milestones” as an argument, then one probably needs to get a different job. If the only way you can see your kid learn things is through a camera at daycare, then I’m wondering if that’s a good work-life fit.
While I’m on this one, I hate it when people say that working parents miss all their kids’ “firsts”. Kids’ “firsts” aren’t limited to 8-5 on weekdays.
Anyway…
If you are a webcam proponent from the safety angle, then, I can’t help but wonder if you’ve made the proper choice in childcare. Unfortunately, there are no guarantees that a caregiver is “safe”, but, a webcam is not a talisman that will protect your child from harm. Even if the childcare site had continuous cameras, who would monitor them continually?
Finally, there are many devoted childcare professionals out there. Unless it were some sort of fun, technology experiment, how demeaning would it be to have to perform you job on camera all day so you could be properly “monitored”? I would be insulted at minimum.
Have you had any experiences with “daycare cams”, or, “nanny cams”?
Tags: daycare, nanny-cams, webcams-at-daycareRelated Stories
POSTED IN: Childcare
2 opinions for Webcams at daycare
Jill
Jul 1, 2007 at 5:19 pm
I sometimes think a webcam would be nice, but for my own amusement. My 2-year old is very shy when I take him to the park to play with other children, and I don’t have a play-group, so I rarely get to see him interact with other kids hek nows. I’m told he’s completely outgoing at daycare, hugging, kissing other kids, sharing his toys, and wrestling with the older boys. I’ve seen glimpses of this side of him, but it’s usually if I sneak in the door and peek while he’s playing because as soon as he sees me, it’s “mamma!!!” and he runs to me open-armed (which is also wonderful!). It would just be neat to see the outgoing, confident side too.
Nikki
Jul 6, 2007 at 4:46 am
I think that webcams in daycare are a waste of money. If you feel the need to constantly check in on the child and the caregiver, then you do have serious “guilt issues”. I also agree that it is demeaning to be constantly watched on the job. If you don’t trust your caregiver with the child, then it is time to seek other arrangements. I don’t think I would do it - I don’t want someone to say to me later, “Why did you give Billy apple juice this morning instead of orange?” And yes, parents who have guilt issues or don’t trust the caregiver’s instincts will do this. That’s pressure I wouldn’t want or need as a provider.
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